Kermit Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Good deal were did you get that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Electrical supply shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Ok price for a Polypropylene float switch, 31mm long x 24mm dia rated at 0.5Amps is $20 including each plus p&p is supose you could normal post it. Robert Ps the one i have has about 10 mm travel on the shaft but switches on about 5mm travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Wonder if rigging something cheap like this could be possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Robert - Thanks for the info on the float switch. I think I'll leave it for the time being - after examaning the back of the hood last night - I don't think I'll have room to fit one. livebearer_breeder I've seen a few people on RC use this plan with success. I think the trick is finding a good container that will take the pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 What about those 20l-25l plastic containers you get from Moor Wilsons? Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 That idea works.. Ira uses it (or something very similar I believe).. just ditch the timer and put a float switch in there... wouldn't want the tank to overflow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Use a peristolic pump. Easy, works perfectly. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Gets my vote to. Spend the money now, save the headache, and having to buy one later when you give up on trying to get the DIY to work! :lol: :lol: Plus peristolic pump is one of the few pieces of equipment that you can buy to fit a small tank that will work just as well when you go to a 1000liter setup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 A peristaltic pump would be perfect - but I need a cheap one (under $100). I've been flying comfortably under the wife's budget radar - but a large chunk of change spent on a pump could leave me high and dry on the excuses front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Use a peristolic pump. Easy, works perfectly. And expensive. Gets my vote to. Spend the money now, save the headache, and having to buy one later when you give up on trying to get the DIY to work! My setup is exactly like that diagram of LBBs, it's worked flawlessly except for a slight manufacturing fault which put the float valve too close to a partition which would make it jam. Moved it a bit and it's been perfect ever since. I should also be able to use it with a small powerhead if I wanted, using an airpump to push the water out would start to be a problem if you were using, for example, a 200L barrel for the topoff water. You'd end up with the water continuing to flow for far too long after the pump stops with a larger air reservoir. But with a 25L container it only continues to run for about 100ml when it's almost full to 500ml ish when nearly empty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 would start to be a problem if you were using, for example, a 200L barrel for the topoff water. Whos not using a 200L barrel for storage of there top-off water Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 mines 120L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 A baby girl resivour Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 I've run into major problems with the lights randomly cutting out, and then restarting a half hour later. After checking all my wiring I've narrowed it down to the stepdown AC 220V to 110V transformer - which has been getting mad hot. I rigged up another CPU fan and raised the transformer from the table with blu-tak to get the circulation going around it - I'm hoping this will keep it cool enough. Kermit - Is this a common problem with these transformers? I wouldn't have thought that an 18watt lighting unit would stress it that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Tom Not if its sized properly. Whats the rating of the transformer and the rating of the compac lights? It sounds like the transformer is sized to small. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 When you refer to 'sizing' - do you mean the wattage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Yeah sorry bout that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 The lights are 2 X 9W - and have two individual ballests. They are connected to a Dick Smiths AC 220V to 110V transformer which says it can handle power up to 25W (it's the biggest one they have). In your opinion, is this transformer sufficient for 11 hours per day use, or will I run into problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 I think you may be pushing it.. it'll definitely be the cause of the heat. This may be better, and they have much bigger ones as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 It wouldn't surprise me if it's more like 25watt peak, 20 or even 15 sustained. I have a 300 watt stepdown transformer. It's currently running...Errr...My PC speakers...Overkill, gotta love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Ira - I fear you may be right. I'll see how I go with the fan cooling it - It does make me a little nervous being on the edge of the limit - I like overkill too! misnoma - cheers for the linkage. I'd have to go for the larger one as I need an earth pin. These lights might end up costing as much as a small MH! :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 This is the one I have: http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4321228b0dd5e9d82740c0a87f990746/Product/View/M1160 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Hmm maybe pushing it Tom the transformer says not exceed 25watts and on start up it will deffently exceed that. Do you have any sparky mates they could replace the ballast with one that runs on 230 for half the price the transformer cost. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Probably don't need a sparky. Pull the ballast out(Keep track of where the wires go) and take it to a professional electronics store and say, "I want one of these in 220V, please" and then swap it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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