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TheGropster

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Sorry for the delay all. But here are some pictures. I currently only have it temporarily mounted as I am in the process of building a hood that I will mount the rail setup in.
 

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nyc reefer

Advanced Reefer
Location
Staten Island
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AI Sols

Really nice work TheGropster, can you explain how the units are secured to the rail? Only by the groove on the heatsink resting on the groove on the rails? Is it secure? Thanks


I received my third AI Sol yesterday so I mounted the rail exactly 12" above the water and definitely got better coverage. The dark spots are gone, Im thinking I may not need the third unit. I took some pics with the temporary installation, first two pics with only the 2 outter Sols on, the rest is with all 3 on. Opinions please, I noticed when all 3 are on the center brace casts a dark shadow on the back glass. I think I am going to hang them length wise tomorrow just to compare the coverage and if that shadow goes away. The pic were taken with only the blues and royal blues on at 10%. I have removed the back cover on the canopy for the moment to make it easier to work on the lights.
 

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Location
Miami
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Really nice work TheGropster, can you explain how the units are secured to the rail? Only by the groove on the heatsink resting on the groove on the rails? Is it secure? Thanks


I received my third AI Sol yesterday so I mounted the rail exactly 12" above the water and definitely got better coverage. The dark spots are gone, Im thinking I may not need the third unit. I took some pics with the temporary installation, first two pics with only the 2 outter Sols on, the rest is with all 3 on. Opinions please, I noticed when all 3 are on the center brace casts a dark shadow on the back glass. I think I am going to hang them length wise tomorrow just to compare the coverage and if that shadow goes away. The pic were taken with only the blues and royal blues on at 10%. I have removed the back cover on the canopy for the moment to make it easier to work on the lights.

that center brace is killing you isnt it.. i would try to mount 2 the long way and bring it closer to the waters may be about 12 " see how it is.
 

TheGropster

Experienced Reefer
Location
New Jersey
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Really nice work TheGropster, can you explain how the units are secured to the rail? Only by the groove on the heatsink resting on the groove on the rails? Is it secure? Thanks


I received my third AI Sol yesterday so I mounted the rail exactly 12" above the water and definitely got better coverage. The dark spots are gone, Im thinking I may not need the third unit. I took some pics with the temporary installation, first two pics with only the 2 outter Sols on, the rest is with all 3 on. Opinions please, I noticed when all 3 are on the center brace casts a dark shadow on the back glass. I think I am going to hang them length wise tomorrow just to compare the coverage and if that shadow goes away. The pic were taken with only the blues and royal blues on at 10%. I have removed the back cover on the canopy for the moment to make it easier to work on the lights.

Yes the groove in the heatsink is resting on the groove in the rail. It's definitely secure. If you try it you will also noticed that this must have been a considered configuration by them as the grooves fit too perfectly together for it to be an accident.

You might be able to get away with just two. Certainly worth a shot but changing them to lengthwise will definitely help with the coverage. Keep us posted.
 

jcohen9999

Overkill Reefer
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That was an interesting idea to use the edge of the fixture itself. Are those end pieces stainless steel?


I also didn't like the fact that the fixture itself was oriented from front to back (therefore spilling too much light onto the mirror behind the tank) so I bought another set of rails and took some liberties with a a chop saw and a dremel to cut the rails to 8 13/16" and then I used a 6mm tap to add threads to the new ends. The finishing touch were the 6mm stainless-steel pan head screws that fit into the grooves perfectly.

Hanging%20Bracket%201.JPG


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Hanging%20Bracket%205.JPG


Hanging%20Bracket%206.JPG


Now I just need to reposition the ceiling mounts to take advantage of this set up:
Hanging%20Bracket%207.JPG


PS The tank looks a lot better now
 

TheGropster

Experienced Reefer
Location
New Jersey
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That was an interesting idea to use the edge of the fixture itself. Are those end pieces stainless steel?


I also didn't like the fact that the fixture itself was oriented from front to back (therefore spilling too much light onto the mirror behind the tank) so I bought another set of rails and took some liberties with a a chop saw and a dremel to cut the rails to 8 13/16" and then I used a 6mm tap to add threads to the new ends. The finishing touch were the 6mm stainless-steel pan head screws that fit into the grooves perfectly.


Definitely a cool mod. Out of curioustiy, Why did you choose to do that instead of just taking one of the rail kits and run it width wise across the two tanks. Then you could have mounted both lights on the one rail kit.
 

jcohen9999

Overkill Reefer
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Definitely a cool mod. Out of curioustiy, Why did you choose to do that instead of just taking one of the rail kits and run it width wise across the two tanks. Then you could have mounted both lights on the one rail kit.

LOL...that's a mirror ;) There's only one small 24" wide tank there.

I thought about shortening both rails and going front to back with the rails but this gave me symmetry.

Jeff
 

jcohen9999

Overkill Reefer
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Jeff how hard was it the thread the ends, just any 6mm thread maker from Sears? I will be working on this Thanksgiving day, have a few handy relatives coming over, lol

Easy. I just grabbed a 6mm tap from HomeDepot and put it in the chuck of my drill. I then slowly drilled it in (using 3M oil to help with the cutting) and occasionally backed out and started again (with more oil) until I felt I had the threads on the screws covered.

took 2 minutes per hole.

HTH

Jeff
 

nyc reefer

Advanced Reefer
Location
Staten Island
Rating - 96.5%
274   10   0
AI's Custom Install

Thirty5 love your work very clean looking, the black fixtures look insane. I think I should have waited and stayed w/ just the two units on my 72ga bow. Because I've seen ideas from you guys on mounting them across instead of front to back and get good coverage. With me I actually get a shadow from the center brace with the 3 unit on front to back and no shadow with just two :duh:.
 

TheGropster

Experienced Reefer
Location
New Jersey
Rating - 0%
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Does anyone here use the RKE module to control their AI Sol modules? Im considering using this instead of the AI Controller. Any feedback would be appreciated.


I do have the RKE with the ALC module. I have been having some issues with the light setup but I haven't had a chance to really try and fix the issue. The trouble I am having is that the last light in the string comes on well before the other two. It's either an issue with the way in which I wired the lights or the version of software the ALC is running. I am also in the middle of a Sump upgrade which takes presidence at this time. Hopefully I will be able to play around with those a little more later this week.
 

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