225 upgrade IS HERE

[FinalPhaze987]

mann i wana see this thing built already..haha...looks like a good start so far Ian

 

[Gomer]

You know..Ian is never happy with what he has for long and gets the urge to upgrade again. Bets on what will replace his 225 in 2 years? lol :-D

 

[iani]

Patrick, I want to get started on the actuator this weekend. I'll see if I have the time.

Tony, we will see. You do know I like to upgrade. haha.

 

[eldiablosrt8]

I don't know what all the hype is its a big rectangular piece of glass,LOL

This tank is massive n makes my 120 look like a biocube. I will be leaving for a family issue n I will be back late sun early Monday I will call you then

 

[iani]

Jess, I hope everything is ok. Sure give me a call on Monday.

 

[iani]

Alright, it will probably be a little bit before I actually get the actuator working. I am going to go with a couple of these kits to turn my 6 mounting points to 3 wires.
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/hort/products.aspx?request=WIRE_SUSPENSION_KIT_2_POINT&title=Light+Movers+/+Hangers&type=product

This will make my pulley system much easier to implement. Less elaborate = better.

 

[iani]

Actuator and pulleys in place.

Testing
YouTube - Track actuator, for light fixture


The fixture has 6 mounting points. However to make things easier, I bought a couple sunlight supply double point hanging kits to turn the 6 points into 3. That is why there are only 3 cables. My plan is to mount this thing to the ceiling and build a nice box around it so all you see are the 3 cables coming down.

 

[Raddogz]

It looks good!

 

[iani]

Thanks Eileen.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Looks good Ian. Can't wait to see it on the lights over your tank.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Sweet, when you get it built make a shopping list I'd like something like that too

 

[iani]

Looks good Ian. Can't wait to see it on the lights over your tank.

Thanks Brian.

 

[iani]

Sweet, when you get it built make a shopping list I'd like something like that too

Mike here is what you need.
http://www.firgelliauto.com/default.php?cPath=104
I got the 20" faster track actuator

Part # 3213T52 from mcmaster.com

The stainless steel wire came in the sunlight supply two point hanging kit.
I also used #10 1.25" bolts, washers, and lock nuts.

That's it so far.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Is there a reason you went with a track actuator over a run of the mill linear actuator?

 

[GreshamH]

Yes. It's much easier to make a lift using the track over a linear. The track doesn't extend twice it's closed size thus making it have half the foot print of a linear.

 

[sfsuphysics]

But other than foot print, is there an issue?

 

[iani]

The issue in the thread I linked was that the linear actuator mounting point would also spin.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Ah, I completely missed that part. Re-read the thread and he seemed to talk about the fix, but yeah, seems like the track actuator would just be the better plan in the long run, plus the one you got apparently has the power supply already connected (I'm assuming it's an AC/DC converter)

 

[iani]

Yes power supply included, which was a bonus.

 

[sfboarders]

The dimensions of the tank are perfect. Where you getting your tank built?