bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
ok i'll have to check them out tonight. one more ? what size wire should i get?
moonlights
- Thread starter bussardnr
- Start date
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bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
also do those light diffusers at HD block much light?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
awg 20 should be fine.
diffusers - are you talking about eggcrates, or those plastic panels that are used for flourascent lighting? if your talking about the panels they do block a little, but they do really remove the spot light effect very well,
if you didn't want to buy a roll of wire, what i usually do, is go to home depot, and go find their ethernet cable, and usually get about 10ft or so, its 34cents a foot, and in the ethernet cable there are 6 wires, so you get alot of wire, really cheap.
diffusers - are you talking about eggcrates, or those plastic panels that are used for flourascent lighting? if your talking about the panels they do block a little, but they do really remove the spot light effect very well,
if you didn't want to buy a roll of wire, what i usually do, is go to home depot, and go find their ethernet cable, and usually get about 10ft or so, its 34cents a foot, and in the ethernet cable there are 6 wires, so you get alot of wire, really cheap.
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
RS diidnt have what i needed, digikey has a bunch of differnt kinds of pots, will they all work?
sorry for all the questions, there sure is alot of stuff on thier site.
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Cherry/Web Data/LR%20SERIES.pdf
hows that for a switch?
sorry for all the questions, there sure is alot of stuff on thier site.
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Cherry/Web Data/LR%20SERIES.pdf
hows that for a switch?
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
and does it matter what wattage the resistors are?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
a switch is a switch, and as long as you don't exceed its amp/voltage (usually max ratings for switches are 120v-240v / 2 - 20amps) ratings you can use it with no problems, that switch seems a bit overkill to me, having quick connectors but yeah it would work just fine.
wattage does play a role, but i did the the math a few days ago and the wattage generated by each led is under 1/4 watt (250mW) and the most common resistor wattages are 1/4w (250mW) or 1/2 (500mW) so it doesn't really make a difference. using a larger wattage resistor won't harm anything, and it does offer a small cushion of protection if something unforeable was to occur. my final opinion use
1/2watt resistor.
and what kind of radio shacks do you have maryland anyway? they don't have a broad selection of switches, resistors or anything good. my 5 local stores are stocked to the gills with stuff, and its kind of bad i have a better idea where stuff is in the store than most employees.
wattage does play a role, but i did the the math a few days ago and the wattage generated by each led is under 1/4 watt (250mW) and the most common resistor wattages are 1/4w (250mW) or 1/2 (500mW) so it doesn't really make a difference. using a larger wattage resistor won't harm anything, and it does offer a small cushion of protection if something unforeable was to occur. my final opinion use
1/2watt resistor.
and what kind of radio shacks do you have maryland anyway? they don't have a broad selection of switches, resistors or anything good. my 5 local stores are stocked to the gills with stuff, and its kind of bad i have a better idea where stuff is in the store than most employees.
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
or they just have a few of everything. i dont think they really sell any of that stuff
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
would this work for a pot? 3386F-253-ND POT 25K OHM 3/8" SQ CERM SL ST 0 1.29000
http://www.bourns.com/pdf/3386.pdf
and these are what i have for resistors
PPC35.7XCT-ND RES 35.7 OHM METAL FILM .50W 1% 0 0.19400
do you think i need a diffuser with 60 degree leds?
http://www.bourns.com/pdf/3386.pdf
and these are what i have for resistors
PPC35.7XCT-ND RES 35.7 OHM METAL FILM .50W 1% 0 0.19400
do you think i need a diffuser with 60 degree leds?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...name=CTLG_011_002_011_000&product_id=271-1716
something like this would work better, you just use your hands to turn up/down the pot, with the one in your link you will have to use a screwdriver which can be a pain in the butt.
the resistor will be fine, however if you give me your voltage source i will double check your math, just to be on the safe side.
you probably won't need a diffuser, but you might want it. i would suggest building the moonlight setup trying it on your tank, and if you don't like it, try the diffuser.
something like this would work better, you just use your hands to turn up/down the pot, with the one in your link you will have to use a screwdriver which can be a pain in the butt.
the resistor will be fine, however if you give me your voltage source i will double check your math, just to be on the safe side.
you probably won't need a diffuser, but you might want it. i would suggest building the moonlight setup trying it on your tank, and if you don't like it, try the diffuser.
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
4v
i'll use this for a pot
CT2255-ND POT 25K OHM 1/8W CARB HORIZ
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/CTS/Web Data/296 Series.pdf
what size knob do i need for that thing?
i'll use this for a pot
CT2255-ND POT 25K OHM 1/8W CARB HORIZ
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/CTS/Web Data/296 Series.pdf
what size knob do i need for that thing?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
it should come with a knob.
math -
4v - 3.3 = .7v / 20ma = 35ohms.
r = 35ohms / 5 (number of leds)
r = 7 ohms per led.
p = v x i
p = 3.3 x 20ma = .066w or .07mW; compare - 1/4w = 250mw
everything looks good over here, good luck building!
math -
4v - 3.3 = .7v / 20ma = 35ohms.
r = 35ohms / 5 (number of leds)
r = 7 ohms per led.
p = v x i
p = 3.3 x 20ma = .066w or .07mW; compare - 1/4w = 250mw
everything looks good over here, good luck building!
greenmaji
Aquarium Advice Addict
radio shack sells it all but might not carry what your looking for in the store.. there cataloge that they can order from has right about everything you could think of as far as electronic componets are conserned.. They can order it for you if they dont have it on hand..
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
would everything still work if i added a 6th led?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
the difference is pretty negliable anyway, it shouldn't make a real differnce. so yeah go for it.
math -
4v - 3.3 = .7v / 20ma = 35ohms.
r = 35ohms / 6 (number of leds)
r = 5.8 ohms per led ~6ohms
math -
4v - 3.3 = .7v / 20ma = 35ohms.
r = 35ohms / 6 (number of leds)
r = 5.8 ohms per led ~6ohms
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
so i can still use the 35.7 resistors i have now?
do you have any ideas for a housing for it? i dont have a canopy, i've heard of using half of a pvc pipe. is there anything else that will look good?
do you have any ideas for a housing for it? i dont have a canopy, i've heard of using half of a pvc pipe. is there anything else that will look good?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
35ohms should be alright.
i have built a couple with a 1 x 1, where i counterbore a hole for each led, having the widest point of the hole house the led, then ran the wires through to the other side. it doesn't look that great but i have always had a canopy to hide it in.
i have built a couple with a 1 x 1, where i counterbore a hole for each led, having the widest point of the hole house the led, then ran the wires through to the other side. it doesn't look that great but i have always had a canopy to hide it in.
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
would it be possable to make a wood frame and wrap thin sheetmetal around it?
also once i put it together how would i make sure the powercord couldnt get pulled out or something like that
also once i put it together how would i make sure the powercord couldnt get pulled out or something like that
greenmaji
Aquarium Advice Addict
If you have a stiplight you could mod it to get the led's in it.. hide the wiring up inside it with the rest of its wiring.. you would have to take it apart and figure out were you would like to put them and drill and such but you could pretty much hide them that way.. just a though..
bussardnr
Aquarium Advice Activist
i do have a new corallife, i'd hate to mess it up though. how would i got about mounting the pot in the light?
JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
well usually they come with a washer and nut, you just drill a hole, slide the pot into it, then use the washer and nut to secure it, and your all done.
