wannabeafarmer Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 Just thought I'd post this, kind of as a follow up for all of you that helped me with the wiring on the 13w CF Ballasts. I got a burnt out computer power supply from a local repair shop, gutted it, and used it to house two of the ballasts for my 13w CF light, going on my 10 gal softies tank. Thanks again for everyones help! Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted January 8, 2005 Author Share Posted January 8, 2005 And here is the stand/canopy that I built to house the setup. No door yet...in the works... Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted January 8, 2005 Author Share Posted January 8, 2005 The rubbermaid tub under the tank will be the sump, the one you see inside the tank sits on top of the sump and will be a small refugium. Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted January 8, 2005 Author Share Posted January 8, 2005 Power center (ghetto-fied)...three sets of two outlets, each pair on an individual switch for daylight, actinic, and pumps. Moonlights and cooling fans will be hardwired. Link to comment
ReefMonkeee Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 that box seems a little dangerous but good luck : ) Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted January 8, 2005 Author Share Posted January 8, 2005 What makes you say that...any input would be welcome... Link to comment
ReefMonkeee Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 well i dont have much to say but to me it just look like danger lolz. Im not much of a DIY when it comes to wires and live wires so i tend to stay away from them lolz. Link to comment
serjuanca88 Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 As long as you cover up all the loose wire with some sort of insulator the box is fine. I housed a 175w MH ballast in a pc power supply (without a fan). It worked great, and looked really clean. Just makes sure nothing touches the box. Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted January 9, 2005 Author Share Posted January 9, 2005 Thanks for the tip...I double checked it, and everything is screwed down, shrink wrapped, or otherwise secure. I have to make one more of these, the next one with 4 ballasts...gonna be a LITTLE tight in there! Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 It is the same setup I have. I have three 13watt ballasts in one power supply box. It works great. I have the whole thing grounded for extra safety. One thing I would recommend is adding a molex plug and socket in the wires to the bulbs. It is then much easer to run the wires and move things around. If you need to work on your hood you don't have to lug the ballasts around. Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Here is a pic of what I have. I mounted the ballasts on a piece of 16 ga steel so I could remove them as a unit. It makes it much easer to wire and work on. I attached it using the screws from the original PCB. The only modification I made to the power supply case was a hole in the back to accept the molex socket. Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted January 10, 2005 Author Share Posted January 10, 2005 I think that I see what you did. That's a six position molex, with three for the leads of the ballasts, and three for the negatives...correct? Neat Idea...I might have to do some re-engineering... LMK if I got that right... Thanks! Link to comment
serjuanca88 Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 I just used a regular extension cord rather than the molex connectors. Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 You are right. I got the socket and plug from radio shack for around $4. I don’t have a molex crimping tool and I didn’t like the wires being just crimped on so I crimped and soldered them. It might be a bit of over kill but that is not always a bad thing. I think all together the ballasts, wire, heat shrink, and some zip ties cost around $20. The case was free and everything else I had. I didn’t have any bulb sockets so I used some molex connecters and some heat shrink. Link to comment
Lingwendil Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Well Dog my Cats if this isn't a good idea, I'll have to do this for my 10G dual 15w ballasts. About what do you think the highest wattage those 13w CF can stand? Do you have any pictures of the molex connector for the end of the bulb? How did you ground the box, did you just have a ground wire attach to the metal? Sorry if I have a lot of questions, I am excited. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.