Show off your power center!

[fishnut321]

hello, im in the planning phase of building a power center to house at least one dj power strip, my reef keeper lite vs3, auto top off, and vortech controller. I would love to see how everyone built theirs and managed the cord organization. Thanks

 

[fishnut321]

bump

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Me too!

 

[gowingsgo]

I don't think you will get to many replies as most of us have huge fire hazards full of jumbled wires. Just a guess I'll see if I can get a photo of mine and post in the morning for you

 

[FranktheTankTx]

I don't think you will get to many replies as most of us have huge fire hazards full of jumbled wires. Just a guess I'll see if I can get a photo of mine and post in the morning for you

Ha! Funny. I'm guilty!!

 

[fishnut321]

yeah, im trying to reduce that problem. I dont want to worry about wiring up dedicated outlets or anything, just an enclosure to organize and protect the electrical equipment. I would only be running one or two dj powerstrips and the two pc-4 modules for my controller. I was thinking a box that can hang on the wall next to my aquarium with a front faceplate on hinges that displays the controller, vortech driver box, and the switch side of the dj powerstrips. The inside of the box would be dedicated to cord organization and the controller modules. I was thinking i would run a couple large diameter conduit pipe out of the box so that the cord bundles going into the power center is minimally exposed.

 

[d2mini]

Mine's pretty clean at the moment. :lol2:

 

[fishnut321]

haha, very nice! i did not know that they had a 4-outlet version, i will have to check them out as well! Thanks for sharing

 

[d2mini]

Ya, it's not as clean as the narrower 8 outlet version, but if for some reason the fuse blows on one, the other might not which means the entire tank won't shut down.

 

[fishnut321]

very good point. My tank is in a corner with a power outlet pretty close on the right and left. I haven't checked yet, but im hoping that the one on the right is wired in with the kitchen and the left on the lighting circuit. Which would be great if something shorted and the circuit shut off.

 

[suckerfishdish]

You can see in the back left corner where all the wires are zip tied together.

1. return
2. skimmer
3. chiller pump
4. chiller power
5. koralia L
6. koralia R
7. U.V
8. sump light

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Ya, it's not as clean as the narrower 8 outlet version, but if for some reason the fuse blows on one, the other might not which means the entire tank won't shut down.

Very nice clean look, but educate me on something. What would you plug in there that you wouldn't plug into a controller? I was just thinking why would you need 8 plug ins & a controller? Perhaps you don't have a controller???

 

[suckerfishdish]

Very nice clean look, but educate me on something. What would you plug in there that you wouldn't plug into a controller? I was just thinking why would you need 8 plug ins & a controller? Perhaps you don't have a controller???

The controller would be used for the lights, heater(s), Ato, and reactors. The power strip would be used for things that you only want an on/off option for like pumps, skimmers or powerheads. Although all these things can plug into the controller, and can be programed with fail safes, if you want to save money by just buying one PC-4 instead of two you can use a DJ power strip. Its a matter of personal preference

 

[lordofthereef]

I'd love to see some ideas. I plan on mounting everything behind/above a canopy on my next build. This should keep it out of the corrosive environment beneath the tank and still have it fairly easily accessible.

 

[lordofthereef]

I don't think you will get to many replies as most of us have huge fire hazards full of jumbled wires. Just a guess I'll see if I can get a photo of mine and post in the morning for you

I have seen some nice ones but more often than not it is as you say :blown:

 

[fishnut321]

yeah, i have all the outlets on the two pc-4s full with lights,heaters, dosers, fans, etc. I still have atleast 6 outlets that are running continuously. Im glad to see that this thread is getting some interest.

 

[chilwil84]

where do you get the dj power strips from? i was trying to arrange my outlets today and they would help me out a lot.

 

[cayenne]

Not a great picture, but gives you an idea. This is in my fishroom below my 300g Display. Under my main stand is another board with a second Neptune DC8 and all of my ballasts and Tunze power supplies. Couldn't find a picture of that board though.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

See my 65 gallon build log for pics of mine

 

[forrealb50]

Subscribed! I also want to get some good ideas. I should be geting my neptune jr aquacontroller around christmas and very excited to build a clean power center.