David R Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 There was a thread a while back about using LED torches/phones etc for a moonlight, I just picked these up for ~$9 for the three (batteries included!!) from Mitre10. They've got a sticky bit on the back so they could be mounted on something above the tank. I've sat them on the lids and the light is a bit focused (see second pic) but the shimmer effect and colour is great. Not sure how long the three AAA batteries will last, but as far as a cheap easy way to get the shimmery moonlight effect they seem pretty good! I'll have a play around with the camera to see if I can get a better pic once they're suspended a bit higher above the tank, the pic below makes it look lighter than it actually is because of the long exposure when set on Auto. Tank is 140cm long, so you'd probably only need one on anything <4' long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 Should be pretty easy to wire them up to a wall wart power supply. If they're 3 AAAs a 4.5 volt wall wart should be the right voltage. A handful of wires and some soldering and you don't have to worry about batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted November 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 You're probably right, but if I was going to go to the trouble of wiring something like that I'd probably just build a purpose-made rack (and I will for my big tank), this just seemed like a quick and simple option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 I used those to light my sump for when I was working in there. They're pretty bright, and super cheap. Don't swim well in salt water though! I found the sticky stuff on the back isn't very good, which is how mine went swimming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted November 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 I found the sticky stuff on the back isn't very good, which is how mine went swimming. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind, I'm going to build something to mount it above the tank tomorrow, so won't rely on the sticky stuff to hold it there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnacle Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 The expensive name brand ones have good adhesive... but is it really worth the difference in price? I dont think so! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dachende Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 They give a really good effect huh . Might have to pick some up today if I can find em ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 hehehe, I tried those, the LED's lasted less than a day when wired to a phone charger that was well within the LED's specs. (4.7 V charger, the LED's had a 3x AA Battery pack) they did look cool when they did work though, and you could get that water ripple effect on the tank bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 I might actually grab a few more of them and use them somehow on my fluval edge. It needs a tiny bit more side lighting and this is maybe the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 hehehe, I tried those, the LED's lasted less than a day when wired to a phone charger that was well within the LED's specs. (4.7 V charger, the LED's had a 3x AA Battery pack) they did look cool when they did work though, and you could get that water ripple effect on the tank bottom. What voltage was the charger actually producing? If it's unregulated and a low current it was probably over 5v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted November 20, 2012 Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 I was looking at some of these yesterday while I was in mitre 10, was wondering what they would look like, going to have to go buy some tomorrow now. Cheers David! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted November 20, 2012 Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 What voltage was the charger actually producing? If it's unregulated and a low current it was probably over 5v. and remember that LEDs don't like too much current either and a phone charger could be pushing out 300-500 mA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 20, 2012 Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 and remember that LEDs don't like too much current either and a phone charger could be pushing out 300-500 mA Yeah, but the voltage would probably have dropped down to or below the rated voltage if it was drawing 500ma. The max of the charger was probably 300-500, likely less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 my charger is 5v 400mA, the wifes' is 5v 350mA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 my charger is 5v 400mA, the wifes' is 5v 350mA Yes. And that 400ma and 350ma has little relevance to the amount of current it is delivering at any moment. If it worked that way then the instant you open your car door then your dome light would have the car battery force 500 amps at 12 volts through it. Which would result in it exploding and probably killing everyone nearby. Current draw is dependent on the item being powered, not the maximum amount the wall wart can supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'll double check, but im sure it was 4.7V, 300mA. if you consider the load provided by Brand new batteries (a AA battery puts out around 1.7V, peak amp's of around 2500mA) it shouldn't have been a problem. maybe it was just a dodgy light. I have a bike torch that i'll connect up next and see what happens (I have a new soldering iron I need to break out) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'll double check, but im sure it was 4.7V, 300mA. if you consider the load provided by Brand new batteries (a AA battery puts out around 1.7V, peak amp's of around 2500mA) it shouldn't have been a problem. maybe it was just a dodgy light. I have a bike torch that i'll connect up next and see what happens (I have a new soldering iron I need to break out) Batteries do not provide a load. In this case the load is the LEDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 then i will assume the LED's were crap I did buy them from an import store for cheap.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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