Power Center under stand?

d2mini

d2mini

Premium Member
I have to run one main power line to my tank (it's a few feet from any walls).
So once i get power into the stand, I'm wondering what I should do with it. I have a Reefkeeper Lite with two pc4's so i need two outlets for those plus at least a few extra for my under cabinet lighting and other random items that don't need to be run off the RKL. Anyone have any examples to show?
 
I'm planning to use this power strip for my new tank. I've seen it on a couple of tanks on here:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/American-DJ-PC-100A-8-Switch-ON-OFF-Power-Center-100313636-i1155517.gc

I like that you can easily turn on or off anything with a push of a button, plus it is very compact. I will probably run a regular plug in surge protector on the wall and then plug this power strip into it (6 ft cable).

They also have a 4 plug model:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/American-DJ-PC-4-4-Channel-Switch-Center-801019-i1155516.gc
 
Thanks.
So i guess I would run a power line into the stand and connect it to a standard wall outlet mounted in the stand and then plug one of those dj units into it?
 
What I am in the process of doing is this. I will run 8 independent outlets in the stand. Each outlet will be connected by an extension cord (bare wire on one side, plug on the other) that plugs into 1 of the outlets on the dj power center. So basically I will have 8 independent outlets that are controlled by the switches on the DJ power center. The DJ power center will then be plugged into the wall, giving everything power. I'm doing this so I can use the switch on the DJ power center to turn off say the protein skimmer instead of having to unplug the wire when my hand is wet.
 
Why have all the outlets in the stand along with the dj power center?
Couldn't you just plug your devices directly into the dj and still be able to turn them off individually with the switches? Or are you just looking to get two outlets per switch?

Also, if anyone has pics of how you have one of these dj power centers installed in your stand, or pics of other solutions, that would be awesome.
 
there is also a 4-plug version of the dj strip. i like it better cause you could then split the tank up between the 2 & have each plugged into a seperate GFCI circuit. that way if something tripped the circuit, it would only take out 1/2 the tank.

http://www.amazon.com/American-DJ-c...sical-instruments&qid=1257349474&sr=8-2-spell

by the time you buy 2 of those, its the same price as 1 of the 8-switch models & you still get the free amazon shipping....but you gain the flexibilty of seperating the tank you can't do w/ the 8-switch :)

d2mini said:
Also, if anyone has pics of how you have one of these dj power centers installed in your stand, or pics of other solutions, that would be awesome.
Click to expand...

here are some clickable thumbs of mine when i was building it



 
Last edited:
here are dimensional pics of each strip as well :D



as you can see, the 8-switch, the plugs are on the back. the 4-switch, they are on the top rear & the rear isn't parallel to the front face....kinda awkward
 
der_wille_zur_macht said:
Browsing Amazon, I saw this:

http://www.amazon.com/Eliminator-ELIMINATOR-CONTROL-CENTER-SWITCH/dp/B000OMXZ3I/ref=pd_cp_MI_2

Anyone used this brand before?
Click to expand...

best i remember when i was researching these dj strips is that there are some off-brand (ie not american dj) that are cheaper, but the built-in circuit breaker was lower rating

the american dj is a 15a & i seem to remember some of the cheaper ones i saw back when i was shopping were 10a but that listing doesn't give the circuit breaker rating for that one
 
A quick google search shows that this unit has a 15A breaker, too. And it's cheap. Even with the vendor's $5 shipping charge it's $10 less than the 8-switch American DJ unit. . .
 
der_wille_zur_macht said:
A quick google search shows that this unit has a 15A breaker, too. And it's cheap. Even with the vendor's $5 shipping charge it's $10 less than the 8-switch American DJ unit. . .
Click to expand...
well there ya go LOL

personally, unless i am doing a MONSTER tank in the future, i will stick to the 4-switch version for my next build simply for the ability to split tank items up between GFCIs......but that's just me ;)
 
The pics show the two American DJ power centers I installed and all the gear in place. I love these things!

wires1.jpg


wires2.jpg
 
Working in the entertainment lighting field, its common to find products in the lower price ranges to look similar. mainly because the larger companies like american dj and chauvet will sub contract other manufactures to make the products then just silk screen the american dj or chauvet logo on them, you are buying the same product just with out the "brand" name
 
Do you guys have any problems with humidity having the sump and power center in the same compartment? It seems like the humidity would rustout the stuff and cause trouble. I use 2 of those knockoff american DJ powersupplies and put them vertical on the side of my tank and plan on covering them. I wish i had pics to explain. When I had my acjr I kept the power under my tank and eventually the thing rusted and almost caused a fire.
 
Do you guys have any problems with humidity having the sump and power center in the same compartment? It seems like the humidity would rustout the stuff and cause trouble. I use 2 of those knockoff american DJ powersupplies and put them vertical on the side of my tank and plan on covering them. I wish i had pics to explain. When I had my acjr I kept the power under my tank and eventually the thing rusted and almost caused a fire.
 
This gives a good look at the ventilation in my stand. I don't think the humidity is going to linger there too badly. If it does a few computer fans pushing fresh air in will work well.

DSC_0382.jpg
 
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