I still only have the 2 CC bulbs with PUs. So I will not be testing right a way. I will try to get at least 3 more first. Until then I would like to work out a way to put all 5 PUs into one PC PSU. Or at least create an enclosure for the PUs.
Cold Cathode (Scanner) Light
- Thread starter Luc
- Start date
Update on the casing
Did get work done on it, but not finished yet.
Got the PU's all in the casing.
Need to get it painted for sure.
Connect the lamps
Prepare the stand for it.
I'm thinking of going for an undergravel filter to move the light-unit closer to the water. (the current 'hang-on' one sticks out in such way that I can't get closer than 10cm and having the water open to the lights.)
Maybe experiment with the CO's going into the uplift tube or something like that.
Still need to put 2 fans in the PU-box to take out heat. (that one is totally closed (see picture)
Will also put 2 fans on the water for circulation and cooling. (not from the lamps, just the general temperature here.
Somewhere this week we'll light it up, looking forward to that.
For the pictures:
- Wiring almost finished
- That's 4 cm height! with the cover it will be 5cm packing an estimated 160 Watt Light!
- Cover on top
- Ready to put in the lights
Did get work done on it, but not finished yet.
Got the PU's all in the casing.
Need to get it painted for sure.
Connect the lamps
Prepare the stand for it.
I'm thinking of going for an undergravel filter to move the light-unit closer to the water. (the current 'hang-on' one sticks out in such way that I can't get closer than 10cm and having the water open to the lights.)
Maybe experiment with the CO's going into the uplift tube or something like that.
Still need to put 2 fans in the PU-box to take out heat. (that one is totally closed (see picture)
Will also put 2 fans on the water for circulation and cooling. (not from the lamps, just the general temperature here.
Somewhere this week we'll light it up, looking forward to that.
For the pictures:
- Wiring almost finished
- That's 4 cm height! with the cover it will be 5cm packing an estimated 160 Watt Light!
- Cover on top
- Ready to put in the lights
I like your work man. Can't wait to start seeing a growth diary. I have had the 2 bulbs that I have on top of my paludarium for 3-4 days now. After comparing some more to my CFLs I would now rate my cold cathodes at just less than half that of one 13 watt CFL. So my current estimate is 6 watts per scanner light.
Ah, you save me from being totally bored with work. Falling asleep here.
Started preparing the tank yesterday. Hope to have it clean and running tonight.
Then finish everything Sunday.
Got a whole bunch of double scanner lights from 35mm film-scanners. Even the PU's are double, will save me a lot of work on wiring a bigger tank after this.
Will keep you posted. Thanks for your info on the Watts.
Think I will start with some ordinary Mos, don't know if you've tried that before but tie that to some drift-wood and with proper light it starts pearling & growing very well. Looks very nice in my big tank...
If that starts pearling straight away, then I know I'm on track in no time...
Started preparing the tank yesterday. Hope to have it clean and running tonight.
Then finish everything Sunday.
Got a whole bunch of double scanner lights from 35mm film-scanners. Even the PU's are double, will save me a lot of work on wiring a bigger tank after this.
Will keep you posted. Thanks for your info on the Watts.
Think I will start with some ordinary Mos, don't know if you've tried that before but tie that to some drift-wood and with proper light it starts pearling & growing very well. Looks very nice in my big tank...
If that starts pearling straight away, then I know I'm on track in no time...
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Just to clarify I am saying that each scanner light is the equivalent light of a 6 watt cfl. I stand by the measurement of 3.7 watt consumption.
Wow, it really works....
Yesssss....Greatearwig, (and other people following this thread) good news..
It really works.
Had a good day yesterday:
1. fixed the scanner-light hood
2. cleaned and filled up the fishtank
3. got everything connected
4. had time to collect some moss from the garden and tie that to some flat piece of driftwood.
So, got some small other plants in, and look at it and you'll say...nah, some plants you have...
But of course, meaning is to measure growth and effect of those lamps, so better just push them in and switch on the light first.
I've attached some pictures to give you the idea.
CO-2 added, but no plant-food, nothing else but light.
And jeez, they are bubbling all over.
The nice thing is, with the glass from the scanners covering the tank, the heat transfer to the water is almost zero.
Also, there is no fan or whatsoever in the top, where 16 Power Units are driving it..and that box is closed! No heat, (unless you call 35'C heat) after a full day lighting it (12 hours now)....
Enjoy the pictures first for the idea....
Bad thing,.....well, the water has not been cycled or anything, algea start florishing as well...
Yesssss....Greatearwig, (and other people following this thread) good news..
It really works.
Had a good day yesterday:
1. fixed the scanner-light hood
2. cleaned and filled up the fishtank
3. got everything connected
4. had time to collect some moss from the garden and tie that to some flat piece of driftwood.
So, got some small other plants in, and look at it and you'll say...nah, some plants you have...
But of course, meaning is to measure growth and effect of those lamps, so better just push them in and switch on the light first.
I've attached some pictures to give you the idea.
CO-2 added, but no plant-food, nothing else but light.
And jeez, they are bubbling all over.
The nice thing is, with the glass from the scanners covering the tank, the heat transfer to the water is almost zero.
Also, there is no fan or whatsoever in the top, where 16 Power Units are driving it..and that box is closed! No heat, (unless you call 35'C heat) after a full day lighting it (12 hours now)....
Enjoy the pictures first for the idea....
Bad thing,.....well, the water has not been cycled or anything, algea start florishing as well...
One more thing, this is with 16 bulbs, but I will start bringing that down a bit to lets say 8 bulbs in total for this tank. It is like looking into a fire right now so bright it is. Will keep posting the updates with pictures..
(off for a beer in front of the tanks...cheers...)
(off for a beer in front of the tanks...cheers...)
Fab up individual reflectors for the bulbs. If the set-up you have now can grow at 1/2 capacity, you could go 1/4 *easily* by having decent reflectors. I'd be willing to bet the incident intensity at the plants vs the immediate intensity at the bulbs is 30-40%.
That's indeed the original plan, use pvc-drain pipes, 10cm in diameter, cut length-wise in half and put aluminium-tape inside.
Either 1 or 2 lamps per reflector, just cut the PVC length of the tank and put more lamps as needed.
Will continue the experiment for a while and keep posting updates.
Goal I've set for myself starting this project (and the steps I'm following to get there):
"To build light-units with little power consumption and very low heat dissipation while giving plants good growing light."
1. Setup and Light ok for plant-grow => Finished, plants are pearling, I'll take that for a yes right now.
2. Reduce light to the minimum amount necessary for same pearling. (estimate 8 with current setup)
3. Use this box on one of my bigger (and deeper) tanks to test for same 2 goals.
4. Build a/m reflectors from the experience gained with PVC and Aluminium-tape.
Will keep you updated. Hope some other people like Greatearwig will soon be able to start this as well and share the experiences....
Either 1 or 2 lamps per reflector, just cut the PVC length of the tank and put more lamps as needed.
Will continue the experiment for a while and keep posting updates.
Goal I've set for myself starting this project (and the steps I'm following to get there):
"To build light-units with little power consumption and very low heat dissipation while giving plants good growing light."
1. Setup and Light ok for plant-grow => Finished, plants are pearling, I'll take that for a yes right now.
2. Reduce light to the minimum amount necessary for same pearling. (estimate 8 with current setup)
3. Use this box on one of my bigger (and deeper) tanks to test for same 2 goals.
4. Build a/m reflectors from the experience gained with PVC and Aluminium-tape.
Will keep you updated. Hope some other people like Greatearwig will soon be able to start this as well and share the experiences....
