Show off your power center!

[scbauer]

Not a great picture, and you would really need to see the back to get an idea of what's going on, but I'll try to explain:

I have an American DJ power strip and plugged into each of the 8 outlets is a short (1.5') extension cord. At the end of each extension cord is an X10 appliance module. From there, I hard-wired a "wall receptacle" to each X10 module. I did this specifically so I could use GFI on each X10 channel rather than having a single point of failure. This way, if my heater were to go bad and trip the GFCI, it will only shut down the individual receptacle that the heater is plugged into (and anything else plugged into that particular receptacle). The pumps, lights, etc. will keep running. I have a total of 8 individually switched, individually X10 controlled, individually GFCI protected receptacles, each with 2 outlets for a total of 16 outlets.

I also have 2 more receptacles that are simply hard-wired without any X10. This gives me 2 more receptacles (or 4 outlets) that are unswitched, constant-on power, but still GFCI protected. Again, if one of those receptacles has the GFCI tripped, all the others continue to work.

It's hard to see, but the American DJ is mounted to the back side of a piece of 1/8" plywood, with the switches facing up. The X10 modules are all mounted on the back of the plywood with holes drilled through the plywood so I can adjust the house/channel of each X10 module. The GFCI receptacles are all black and are mounted through the plywood.

-Scott

 

[mille239]

Tank 1: (during construction) it's on the right side:

After construction:

Tank 2: (opted to not use DJ strips):

(it's in the small closet behind the tank)

 

[Chiefsurfer]

wow mille239, that is a SMALLLLL closet.

Some nice wiring here. Gives me ideas for when I get my own house.

 

[RParker]

Here's mine

I'll have to get an updated picture, everything plugs into the Apex. In this pic everything isn't quite as neat as it is now. Everything follows the same theme as on the side, zip-tied in neat bundles.

 

[d2mini]

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???

Well, first... each one of my pc4's from my reef keeper lite will be plugged in so that's two outlets. Then my light for under the stand is in another, very convenient. Skimmer in a fourth. Extra powerheads that aren't being controlled by the controller? Other equipment like pumps for phosphate reactors, or powerheads in the sump... there always seems to be stuff that just isn't worth taking up valuable space on a pc4.

 

[T Man]

puttin' the "P" in Power....

puttin' the "P" in Power....

Before, at mid-left everything was on two circuits.

Now, a 100 amp satellite box

These two sets are above the tank and on different GFI'd circuits

 

[Eel-byte]

I could use some help on my power center, lol. Keep them coming.

 

[Frick-n-Frags]

I cant. They would show up in a big black van, yell a lot of "hup hup hup's", rappel off the roof through the 1st story windows all at once, and shut me down.

 

[ordy1]

Here is an old pic of the one I made. I got the idea from Melevsreef.com. I use a AC Jr. and I control everything utilizing X-10 technology. I use two American DJ power centers to manually switch stuff on and off. I have two separate 15 amp lines coming in from my breaker box in the garage.

That's it on the left in my sump room in the basement:

 

[theyammieguy]

Subscribed

 

[fishnut321]

im liking the ideas here! Keep it coming, you know you want to show off your nerd skills as my girlfriend calls it

 

[dpmatty]

I asked this in another thread, but I suppose it's ok to ask it here as well (since this thread is atually current - DOH!).

Is there any benefit to installing a system such as this over say a ReefKeeper Elite? I'm planning my new stand, including a power center, and it seems that the ReefKeeper would do everything I could possibly require power wise? What am I missing?

 

[NeverlosT]

I cant. They would show up in a big black van, yell a lot of "hup hup hup's", rappel off the roof through the 1st story windows all at once, and shut me down.

:lol: i love it.

 

[luther1200]

Cam someone explain to me what the X-10 people are talking about is? Thanks.

 

[fishnut321]

Dpmatty- the elite would cover your power needs if you want to have everything running through the controller. Since i have the reef keeper lite i only have eight total sockets, the sl1 and i want to use the net module as the last module.

The reason why most people build these power centers is because their tanks usually require more power in one location than a standard home circuit can provide. So all they are doing running a stronger circuit that is dedicated to their aquarium.

The other reason some people like me want to make a power center is to organize all the cords to make it look like a professional installation at the same time keeping controllers handy and reducing the water damage potential. The reef keeper can make for a mess of cords by the time you consider all the bus cables running between modules and the cords going into the pc-4 modules. For me, since i only can control 8 outlets, i still have at least six devices such as skimmer and sump pumps that are still plugged in 24/7 into a standard powerstrip under my stand. I like the dj power strips because i can mount them in my power center like others have, while keeping the cords hidden and being able to flip a switch instead of unplugging my skimmer feed or return pumps every time i feed or do a water change etc. On top of that, the occasional extra fan or accessory that you want to plug in temporarily can be plugged in to the dj powerstrip instead of always having to go into the reef keeper and programing all the time.

 

[serpentman]

Here's mine. Started out a lot more organized (and less fire hazard) and degraded every since....

 

[DThompson]

Newly organized. :fun2:

 

[theyammieguy]

Would it be a good idea to get a reef keeper lite to run my lights and powerheads? Or just use a dj powerstrip? I'd like to have my lights on timers and it seems the RK3 is a good idea for doing just that. I plan on keeping my system as simple as possible. Only lights, powerheads, pumps and fans.

Luther1200 here is a quick google search of the X10. I was curios as well.
http://www.x10.com/products4/google/automation_for_easy_living.html

 

[luther1200]

Newly organized. :fun2:

LOL, thats actually not far from what mine looks like. Just kidding :rollface:

 

[luther1200]

Would it be a good idea to get a reef keeper lite to run my lights and powerheads? Or just use a dj powerstrip? I'd like to have my lights on timers and it seems the RK3 is a good idea for doing just that. I plan on keeping my system as simple as possible. Only lights, powerheads, pumps and fans.

Luther1200 here is a quick google search of the X10. I was curios as well.
http://www.x10.com/products4/google/automation_for_easy_living.html

Thanks.