Light Trolley???
- Thread starter Eric
- Start date
I might and this is a might run a single strip of vho or t5s in the front and rear of the tank but I'm not certian at this point.
Here's one thread i read but i have seen the same info in several places over the past few months.
400W MH users - how long is your photoperiod? - Reef Central Online Community
Here's one thread i read but i have seen the same info in several places over the past few months.
400W MH users - how long is your photoperiod? - Reef Central Online Community
NewEnglandReef
Member
Cool, that is good info, cant wait to see what you come up with and how it works.
reef dummy
Member
Have you contacted LiveAquaria, they run a system with lights that move so they have no hotspots. They also run 400w. It might be worth a n e-mail to see exactly what they use.
I think i have this figured out, I am going to use two motors, two times, and two momentary pushbutton switches.
I will set up the timers to come on when I need the lights moved as the lights travel down they will hit the switch and stop the motor. Very basic and simple since i couldn't find the timers i could program to half seconds this will kill power to the motor once it reaches it's position.
I will set up the timers to come on when I need the lights moved as the lights travel down they will hit the switch and stop the motor. Very basic and simple since i couldn't find the timers i could program to half seconds this will kill power to the motor once it reaches it's position.
reef dummy
Member
I guess the good thing is that it's the lights you're experimenting with and not something like your ATO or kalk. If it doesn't work no harm done. Keep us posted.
Yeah that is true 
worst case scenario I burn up a motor but the switches should work.
Let's say it takes 110 seconds to move the lights from one end to the other all the times I found can only be set by minutes so it would power the motor for two minutes. With the switch I can kill the power when the lights are in place at 110 seconds them the timer will kill total power at 120 seconds till the next day at the same time.
I will rig the motor and timer at the other end to do the same thing.
There really is not much that can go wrong in this setup, the chances of a switch failing is slim to none and even if it does total power will be cut off by the timer in a minute or less.
Sounds good in theory anyways.
worst case scenario I burn up a motor but the switches should work. Let's say it takes 110 seconds to move the lights from one end to the other all the times I found can only be set by minutes so it would power the motor for two minutes. With the switch I can kill the power when the lights are in place at 110 seconds them the timer will kill total power at 120 seconds till the next day at the same time.
I will rig the motor and timer at the other end to do the same thing.
There really is not much that can go wrong in this setup, the chances of a switch failing is slim to none and even if it does total power will be cut off by the timer in a minute or less.
Sounds good in theory anyways.
Momentary pushbutton switches would be kind of klunky, go for micro switches. Here is an example (offsite)... Omron Electronic Components - SS-01GL2 - Sensors, Switches & Relays - Switches - Allied Electronics
Notice how the lever stick out and has a roller so it will easilt be tripped by something that contacts it.
Another option would be magnetic reed switches. The operate when a magnet comes close to them. These are often the type of switch used in an ATO. Here is an example (offsite)... Hermetic Switch, Inc. - HSR-1015RT 20/40 - Sensors, Switches & Relays - Switches - Allied Electronics
I would wire all this using low voltage connections. You could them connect the switches directly into and common logic family of ICs. Then the IC's would be used via a relay or other device to operate the motor that moves the fixture.
I think 6 hrs a day over the corals is just a little low, but 8 hours should be enough.
IMHO, this would be difficult to get to work.
The "water weight" would increase in weight until it overcame the static friction of the light. as soon at that occurred, the light would tend to speed up and rush to the other end quickly, because rolling friction is a lot less than static friction.
This is why it's a lot harder to start something rolling that it is to keep it rolling.
Have you tried hydroponic suppliers? A lot of indoor growers use them and I saw a lot of them while reading threads.
Grow Light Accessories