View Full Version : AH Supply Lights
Booswalia
05-12-2003, 6:21 PM
Hi, I'm very pleased. I received my lights and hood today. It's looks like it will work really well, and I must say they were very quick to deliver it, even accross the border.
One problem. I can't figure out how it goes together. I need diagrams. I need step by step instructions. I neeeeeeeed to know what the heck a bushing and a pilot hole is.
I always thought of myself as rather "handy"....
.....till now.
Very frustrated.
plantbrain
05-12-2003, 7:12 PM
Email A&H and they can send the document/diagram which is on MS word to you directly. You can also call them 1-888-859-5106.
Snap bushings simply are cord clamps that hold the cord in place so it it does not place pressure on the the two wire connections.
Pilot holes are pre drilled holes that are slightly smaller than the screw. This way it does not split the wood when you screw the screws down into the wood.
The instructions are quite clear. I don't know if anyone is going to be able to give you clearer instruction than AH's install notes than they can.
Unless you did not get the install sheet or something, it is already explained step by step.
Regards,
Tom Barr
carpguy
05-12-2003, 7:16 PM
Just for starters, a pilot hole is a small hole used to guide a larger thing, like a screw -- drill a (pilot) hole smaller than the screw in diameter and the screw won't drift on the surface or turn aslant or split the wood. Very handy step 1.
A bushing is usually a collar of some sort, a metal sleeve, especially on a switch or something with moving parts but maybe just the plastic insert through the side of the case.
The kit should have come with a wiring diagram. What kit is it? Post some details and some electricians may float through.
Booswalia
05-12-2003, 7:33 PM
K. I figured out the bushing thing and I have the holes drilled now. Thanks. The wiring diagram is fine. I can do that part.
There just seems to be so much wire!!! I'm afraid to cut it, cause there's no going back once I snip. I can understand cutting the wires on the ballast to about a foot, but the end caps(?) have 6 feet of wire, and by the diagram, it looks like I only need about 2 inches.
It just doesn't seem right to cut 5 and a half feet off them.
And then I know I'm gonna need an extra 6 inches for all my tries at splicing. It just never happens the first time.
I had a look at the photos on their site, at http://ahsupply.com/enclosure_photos.htm
The second photo has two white things, (end caps?) I don't have any white things. I have two black things that look similar but they have 6 foot cables on them.
Just has me baffled.
Oh, it's the 55watt double kit.
carpguy
05-12-2003, 7:44 PM
They're pretty generous with the wire. You probably don't need a good bit of it. I mounted my ballast behind my tank, other folks sometimes put them in the cabinet under the tank… the extra footage can come in handy. And if you should cut too much off you can always splice back on, although the watery enviroment should encourage a little planning upfront -- unnecessary splices should be avoided, neatness counts.
I left a foot or so more than I thought I needed and coiled the excess, tied it off with those little plastic cinch straps in the electrical section at HD or Lowe's, used all of the supplied wire clips to secure it to the canopy, nothing hanging or prone to snagging when I lift the canopy.
Booswalia
05-13-2003, 8:18 AM
Do the endcaps just kind of hang there by the wire with the wire clips holding the bulb in place???
I don't see any way of securing the endcaps.
Is it becoming obvious that I've never even seen one of these type of bulbs before???
What have I gotten myself into?
Skittyfish
05-13-2003, 8:53 AM
I have the same lights. My hubby just left my endcaps hanging, with just enough give in them to remove the bulbs. The bulb holders will hold everything up just fine. If you need a pic, I'll be glad to post one.
This is great. Just got my lights as well and trying to make the canopy , what fun, fun, fun. Just take it slow and ask if needed.
As I have a question on there diy canopy tips. the drawing has a
top strip made of 1"x2" a type of brace and the reflector hangs from that. but theres a 1/2" space between the brace and the reflector and no mention of what that is or why. I dont think the reflector can hang in space 1/2 in. from the brace! don't it have to be attached to something?
Booswalia
05-13-2003, 11:41 AM
Skittyfish,
Yes, a picture would be wonderful.....
......'twould speak a thousand words.
Punch, As far as I can figure out, there are little white spacers that hold it out. You use the longer screws through the spacers if you want to leave the gap. Use the shorter screws if you don't want the gap. Of course I could be wrong too. I certainly have more questions than answers. Ha!
Skittyfish
05-13-2003, 12:00 PM
Well, I posted them HERE (http://community.webshots.com/user/skittyfish) .
But for some reason they aren't showing up. Give me a few minutes and I'll add them again. If you need a different shot let me know.
Skittyfish
05-13-2003, 12:03 PM
They should be there now. Pics (http://community.webshots.com/user/skittyfish)
Booswalia
05-13-2003, 12:20 PM
Thanks a bunch Skitty. That's just what I needed to see.
Nice tank, by the way. That's quite a piece of driftwood......I can see a Mamma bear standing on her hind legs and holding up a baby bear in it. (But why are they under the water?)
Seeeeee, I told ya I was visual. :) Scary isn't it.
Skittyfish
05-13-2003, 4:09 PM
LOL:D . Just not visual enough to do the lights w/o visuals? J/K.
Good luck on getting it all put together and thanks for the nice compliment.
I must say, that pc. of wood DOES look like a mama bear holding up her baby bear, Now how many people could say a pc. of wood
could be cute?