DIY Lighting Project (LED Strips)

I had then wondered if I could have the rearmost white LED strip on channel 2 and then use channels 3, 4 and 5 with each strip forward of the next to simulate the sun tracking forward.

 

That's the TC420. That's not an AC power input, it's still needs to be DC 12-24V but can only be used with small loads (as opposed to the other side that can handle the full 20A).

You'll be able to do what you want easily with that, though I don't know how much you'll notice the light coming forward unless you're looking in from the side. You can program fades as long or short as you like. Here's a look at the timing interface

This is the timings I'm using on my Dad's marine tanks:

• Channel 1 is the whites on his 4' FOWLR tank
• Channel 2 are the blues on that tank
• Channel 3 are the whites on his 2' nano reef
• Channel 4 are the blues on that tank
• Channel 5 is the light of the sumps in both tanks

Oops I meant DC.

This is the adapter I bought.



The Light strips are DC 12V and claim to be 12W/M. I'm using about 3.5 Metres in total and that power supply is powering it.

Will that power supply be adequate to also run the TC420 as well as the LED strips do you think?

You don't want to get them mixed up or things go bang

The power supply should be fine, they unit it's self doesn't seem to draw much power at all.

12 w/m at 3.5 metres = 42 watts, which at 12v = 3.5 amps.

The power supply is only 24watts/2amps which means your LEDs are only running at about 1/2 power/brightness. The other problem is the nice Enrgish manual for the TC420 doesn't define a small or large power load, but I'd guess that 2A would be small. The only problem you may have if is the polarity of the plug on your power supply isn't the same way round as the TC420; again the manual is very helpful in not telling what it is

Those 5630 LEDs seem to be pretty good. They're brighter than 5050's and use less power (5050's are 14.4w/m)

They're all the same unit, the cheapest I've seen on eBay recently was about £17.50. I got my first one on Amazon for about £19.

Quote from: Paddyc on March 10, 2016, 07:53:05 PM

Quote from: Extreme_One on March 10, 2016, 07:29:21 PM

I had then wondered if I could have the rearmost white LED strip on channel 2 and then use channels 3, 4 and 5 with each strip forward of the next to simulate the sun tracking forward.

 

Aim high, that's what I say:

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That's just 1 set/controller. I'm probably going to use 2, maybe even 3, on this aquarium

Thanks again Darren

My wife already likes my aquarium but she loves the idea of the dusk/dawn gradual lighting. 

Thanks again Darren

My wife already likes my aquarium but she loves the idea of the dusk/dawn gradual lighting. 

No problem

It's always handy to keep the wife happy. Mine would like less fish tanks, but still ends up looking at them 

Superb! Thanks mate, I appreciate it.

It's convinced me, I think I'll be ordering my TC420 next week.

WOW! That looks amazing, I wish I was technically minded.

Lovely tank btw Darren

Thanks Fiona, though at the moment I don't think it looks all that good. It will, but not yet

As for the technical side of things, it doesn't have to be overly technical. For the physical side, it can be a simple as sticking on some strips, maybe soldering on some wires, and doing up some screws. With the software, if you can use a calendar on a computer, you're pretty much there

I find my fish are fine so long as there is good ambient light when I switch on or off. In the morning, I leave the tank in good ambient light (either daylight or room light) for several minutes before I switch the tank lights on, in the evening the reverse. A good reason not to use timers.

When I go to switch off in the evening, all of the fish swim to the front of the tank eagerly looking for more food. When I then just switch off the light, they all look so disappointed ...................... or is it just my imagination.........?

When I go to switch off in the evening, all of the fish swim to the front of the tank eagerly looking for more food. When I then just switch off the light, they all look so disappointed ...................... or is it just my imagination.........?

Not your imagination. We went out this evening and so the lamp adjacent to the fishtank was switched off 3 hours earlier than usual. Some swam down from their usual locations to see what was up. The indignant look from 12 sets of eyes was unmistakable - as though they'd been unfairly put to bed early and wanted to know what on earth they had done to deserve that. Far more goes on inside their wee heads than they're given credit for.