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DIY Moonlight photo completion pics

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kleinfreak

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I am quite surprised. I built a 4 bulb system for around $20. And it's every bit as good as those store bought systems. I think mine may fit my setup even better than thiers would 4 bulbs 1 plug, no mess...well, except for the soldering.
I used 2 of my old cell phone chargers. 1 for power, the other for spare wire. 4 LED's and 4 Resistors. Man that was easy.

stupid camera, time for warranty work (ccd)
http://www.owenkenc.org/images/tanks/MoonLight.jpg
I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, "I love you camera"


smMoonLight.jpg
 
A

Anonymous

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Sorry! I meant the led that you set up, hopefully with the, resistor and the other wiring in the shot.

Thanks!
 
L

liquid

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I think everyone wants to see an actual shot of how you have this installed in your hood and some closeups. :)

Shane
 
K

kleinfreak

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Ohh, I'll take some of those tonight.
I have everything in shrink tubing now, but I can show you installed.

I'm going to build one for my 30gal tank next.
 
A

Anonymous

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Looks nice.. - Where'd you find the LEDs, RadioShack? :wink:

I'm gonna guess it's wired parallel right?

The GSP or leather open up yet?
 
K

kleinfreak

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LED's at Radio Shack yes...Could have purchased cheaper online, but couldn't wait.

Wired In parallel Yes.

FREAKIN AMAZING, Leather opened about 2am when I woke. (I think he likes it :) )
 
K

kleinfreak

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Sorry pic is poor, but you get the idea.
3/16" hole drilled and poked 4 led's through.
Be sure your not drilling holes where the balasts need to rest...I messed up on the first one now I have 4 1/2 holes. :)
led.jpg
 
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Anonymous

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LED's don't operate the same as traditional bulbs.. The nature of most LED's don't allow for dimming.. (Most...)

To go into detail, the acronym LED stands for Light Emitting Diode..

The "diode" part means that it essentially only allows current to flow in one direction. Either the current is off, attempting to flow in the wrong direction, or on and the diode is emitting.

I believe there are SOME LED's that allow for dimming, but I'm not sure which or what names/part #'s they might be.. If you happen to find one, a potentiometer (a "pot") is what "dials" in the voltage/current you want for dimming..

Good luck, if you find an LED that allows for dimming that will work within the voltage/current range we're dealing with here, please let us know what you found.. :wink:
 
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npaden

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I bought a 12' rope light setup at Lowe's for $4.99. Pretty hard DIY though - I had to tack it to the top of my canopy and plug it in! ;)

It's dimmable and runs with my elightmaster program on an x10 lamp module. Looks as good if not better (no hot spots) than that setup IMO.

FWIW, Nathan
 
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Anonymous

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I was wondering about that too.. - Especially if they are "dimmed"...
 
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npaden

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No glitter lines with the rope light. There are actually about 100 separate .5 watt bulbs in it. I got glimmer lines with my old 25W party bulbs but I like the rope light much better overall.

FWIW, Nathan
 
L

liquid

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FWIW, I should have my blue cold cathodes up in the hood and running sometime this week. I'll grab some shots when I get it done. :)

Shane
 
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