Fun with Linear Actuators

[dandy7200]

Alright I figured if I post this here it will keep me motivated to finish this project. Please feel free to chime in with suggestions, advice or questions or to just give me a poke in the ribs to help me want to finish what I start .

 

I was planning on waiting another 6 months or so to build the canopy/stand skinning/built-in bookshelves that will be surrounding my tank but, since I am doing a lighting upgrade/switch I thought now would be a good time to at least build the canopy for the tank to hide the retro kits (I am replacing a sleek looking fixture)

My internal geek requires that the canopy not only functions and looks good but, also moves up and down by a linear actuator on a rocker switch.

 

Step one: Install 24" heavy duty glides to wall (wall is already prepped with 1/2" ply backer board).

 

 

 

Step two: Attach wooden runners to the glide rails.

 

 

You can see in the above pictures that I have already cut the templete piece that will serve as the frame for the bowfront canopy, which leads us to.....

 

Step three: Cut two identical 1x to fit the front of the canopy. Cut 9ea 13 1/2" 1x2 to brace and be nailers for the skin. Test for fit.

 

 

I ordered the mechanical parts including a 18" linear actuator rated for 150# at .7"/sec travel speed, a momentary rocker switch, and rocking mounting brackets from FA Automations. It shipped today so I guess I will get it sometime next week. I hope to build most of the framework this weekend and will update as I go.

 

Can we get some more emoticons? This does not accurately describe how I feel.

[YBeNormal]

Nice work as always! I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

Bob

[flowerseller]

Looks nice and very interesting.

Are you steaming and bending the bottom and top hood plates to fit or cuting them from wide stock?

It's looking like a show and tell Tank Tour waiting to happen.

 

How long have you had the long horn visible in #4?

[dandy7200]

I did cut the top and bottom plates from 1x12 pine. After the frame is complete I will cut a solid full piece of 1/2" ply and attach it to the top and bottom to reinforce things. I did the resaw and glue laminate work on the actual tank stand but, felt it would probably be overkill for this application.........goes to flickr.......

 

 

 

Hey I didn't see Tex in pic #4, good eye Flowerseller. I have had him for 3 months. The first 6 weeks he went through hypo (bad ich from Roozens) and he has adjusted to the tank well. I already have him hand feeding. Don't worry folks I have a 280 planned for next year .

 

Thanks Bob, I am excited to see how it turns out as well. Sometimes I get used to the way things look and forget that they could always be better.

[jason the filter freak]

is that a cowfish in the upper right, and oh yea that is one bad @ss Idea

[chefthomasr]

Nice work Dan! Tex looks much happier in there then he did in the qt. How's the prop tank?

[stevil]

Was this what you were working on when I came to pick up the TDS meter?

 

You've got a pretty cool setup going. I'm envious!

[dandy7200]

Thanks Thomas, no prop tank.......yet :wink:

Steve I had just started measuring everything when you stopped buy......

 

OK, next step is to make the plywood top and bottom. I found 1/2" maple ply that had some damage and bought the sheet for $19 .

 

 

Jig saw, bbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

 

Testing the fit with the new reflector and face frame.

 

 

Same for the top.

 

 

Attach rails for the top.

 

 

A few screws to hold it all together and voila.....

 

 

When the canopy is down I have 16" from the top to water, and I have 21" maximum lift before I hit the ceiling. Lots still left to do but, I feel pretty good that I knocked the frame out in two evenings.

 

If any webmaster happens to read this, can you tell me why this code doesn't work?

 

<a href=" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/101/256056730_109077f58d.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="DSCN1387" /></a

 

I left the last > out so you could see.

 

Thanks

[jason the filter freak]

Nothing like a near midnight, thread update, to quell the rabid reefer . Very nice looking

[dandy7200]

Hahaha, it's too late to run power tools or I would still be working

[jason the filter freak]

Do you think the external overflow box is a better alternative than drilling the tank, if you have the space behing the tank? I like the idea and I think it looks much cleaner. Could you give me ideas, I'd liek to do the same mod with a 55 gallon

[dandy7200]

External overflow is just drilling a really large hole in a tank . I can give you some links that describe the process a little better than I documented it. I made the slight modification of adding a extra pane of glass to the overflow but, that is the only differance between what I have done and what many others have. Be warned though many, many tanks have cracked while attempting this. I felt very comfortable doing it on a three sided tank vs. a four sided tank, the physics are in my favor or not, I could never figure that one out.....lets stick to in my favor, that helps me sleep better......oh yeah and the floor drain .

 

Dan

[chefthomasr]

Hahaha, it's too late to run power tools or I would still be working

 

It's never too late to run power tools!!!!! Yaaarrrr!

[dandy7200]

Lighten the top and allow the tank to breathe:

 

 

Sand and paint:

 

 

Rails installed to hang light.

 

 

Skin with masonite:

 

 

Trim and paint.

 

[flowerseller]

Nyce!

I guess the wall behind it needs to be pretty plumb.

 

You're pretty handy Dandy.

[rsaavedra]

Dan DUUUDE That's BAD ARSE!!! WOW that's cool!!!

[dandy7200]

Chip, the wall does need t be pretty plumb. I ripped off the paneling and put up new plywood and furring strips before the tank was in the final position. There is a little jiggle room to play with in the hinges but certainly not much when you tie 4 of them together.

 

Raf, some things are worth doing not because you need them but, simply because they can be done. I don't think I will be putting suicide doors with linear actuators on my minivan anytime soon.....hey that would be pretty trick on your ride......or even better yet, Jenny's new ride

[dandy7200]

Fed-ex made a visit today .

 

Attached to the top:

 

 

Attached to a 4x4 that is screwed to the wall and goes to the floor:

 

 

I didn't take any pictures of the wiring, it was pretty simple.

 

I am uploading a short video for your geeking pleasure ............

 

1 minute video .

Edited March 17, 2007 by dandy7200

[jason the filter freak]

 

 

I am uploading a short video for your geeking pleasure ............

 

http://clipshack.com/player-cs-em.swf?key=FEA714C3485405DC

 

I isolated your link, it wasn't showing in the post, but Ohhh maaaan, maaaan I'm totally geeking out

[dandy7200]

Links fixed now. I was trying to embed it so no one had to leave the site to watch it but, none of the code I try seems to be compatible with this version of software .

[jason the filter freak]

Links fixed now. I was trying to embed it so no one had to leave the site to watch it but, none of the code I try seems to be compatible with this version of software .

 

ANd you're working your sorcery/engineering (what ever you want to call it) on my tank when?

[dandy7200]

ANd you're working your sorcery/engineering (what ever you want to call it) on my tank when?

 

[Jenny]

 

I don't think I will be putting suicide doors with linear actuators on my minivan anytime soon.....hey that would be pretty trick on your ride......or even better yet, Jenny's new ride

 

Oh yeah! That would be great!

[phisigs79]

Nice!

[dandy7200]

Well thats all for now. I will eventually skin the canopy with redwood and maple trim to match the bookshelves I put in but, in all likely hood that will not happen till next year sometime. This project was quite easy to do, I learned something new and hope you guys did as well.