Dimmable Moonlights

[Der ABT]

Well im thinking of trying to make some dimmable moonlights for my ACIII.

anybody have any suggestions plans etc out there? Ive found a few that are a little over my head but seem to run somewhere around $30 or so where to buy a lunar sim is like 80-90 from neptune (just seems a bit high for me)

I dont understand how the X10 module works with the ACIII but if you do please explain as LEDs are getting cheap.

 

I know there are some electrical guru's on here, maybe we could do a meet and everyone could make their own type of thing with a little direction from someone who knows how to do this. just a thought

 

Or if someone has some examples of what they use.

Would like to have the moon cycle and a little viewing at night/morning since my cycle is adjusted for my work schedule.

 

thanks for any help

[Charlie]

I was kind of thinking the same thing. While I'm not an electrical engineer, I'm pretty good with a soldering iron. I don't have a drill press either to drill the holes (although, I've been thinking of getting a cheap on for my LED project). I'm sure that we could do a bulk order for the channel and LEDs.

[Der ABT]

ive got a drill press and can build most things i just dont know electrical diagrams etc and what would be needed (resisters, etc) to make it able to be dimmed by the ACIII, If it ends up not happenning i think i would just end up using the sun/moon cyle and having them turn on and off for longer periods of time but be the same intensity (which is fine just not as big in bragging points)

 

there has to be a demand for this and a cheap way to do it, Otherwise those stunner lights are looking like a great deal, i like the Current usa links as well but they are a bit pricey.

 

anyways any more input would be appreciated

[thewire]

Not sure how AC3 works with the x10 but here is the schematic someone worked on

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6186739&postcount=51

[Charlie]

RapidLED.com has several kits availible (depending on how many LEDs you need) that are dimmable. That and solid channel would make some really effective moonlights. I believe Chuceli recomended using a 50-50 mix of Blue and White for normal lighting. You could run all blue for your moonlights and they would be very effective. El Camaron was running similar for his tank (I believe that he was turning off the whites and leaving the blues on, then turning the blues off leaving a very dim blue LED for his moons). I also don't believe that these would be that hard to wire as they just go in series. We could get together after Memorial Day Weekend and order what we need, and do a build together.