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View Full Version : Moonlight DIY 1/31/04


thereefgeek
01/20/2004, 11:05 AM
Noon, Sat the 31st, at my house is the moonlight DIY. I have a list of about 15 people who want one or more of these things. I've ordered the LEDs online (60 of them @ $2 ea.), and I have about 8 spare 3.7volt adataptors ($5 ea.) up for grabs (first come...). If you DON'T have a spare AC adaptor to bring(3.5v-12v), let me know ASAP so I can get those from HSC Electronics this week. If you DON'T want it in the little black box ($2 ea.), let me know 'cause I'll chase those down this week, in which case, you'll get a "custom" setup with a bunch of dangly wires to put into your hood. I'd like to have all the parts ready on that Sat. so we don't have to do any last minute running around. The cost of each unit will depend on how many LEDs you want, and if you need a transformer or not, so if you haven't already signed up and want to make one, e-mail me soon. I may still be able to get the parts, but the LEDs won't be as cheap. Who knows, maybe one will show up on the raffle table again sometime soon. :bigeyes:

thereefgeek
01/21/2004, 05:02 PM
o.k., all the parts are ordered and 3 of the 8 AC adaptors are spoken for. Let there be (moon) light!

JoeMack
01/21/2004, 05:10 PM
How do you regulate the voltage? I built mine with a Radio Shack #LM-317. Its an adjustable voltage regualtor controled by a Pot.

Just wondering! :)

thereefgeek
01/21/2004, 05:29 PM
I've built 4 of these with 3.7 volt Nokia phone chargers, and have been using a 100 ohm resistor on each of the LEDs. You can use any 3.5-12 volt adaptor, you just need to calculate the size of the resistor based on V/I=R. I haven't been using a pot for dimming, but that's easy enough to wire into the circuit if you want them dimmable.

JoeMack
01/21/2004, 05:41 PM
cool. DIY moonlighting rocks! What color are you using? Im using the Radio Shack Blues. I sanded the top of the LED down and then polished it so that it wasnt focused like a flashlight. I want to get that 440mn wave-length LEDs because its UV.

thereefgeek
01/22/2004, 11:25 AM
Good idea sanding the LEDs. I'll have to try that. The prototypes were made with the R.S. blues, 468nm I think, but for the project we're doing the 31st, I'm using the blues from www.lcled.com (same spectrum & nice blue cast).

reefnovice
01/22/2004, 08:56 PM
Rich, if you have any AC adaptor left, please save one of them for me, thanks.

yvonne :)

thereefgeek
01/23/2004, 10:27 AM
Yvonne, I'll hold one for your four bulb light. Anyone else? See you Sat.

Photon
01/23/2004, 11:58 AM
Rich,
Please hold two for me or let me know where I can get them.
James

reefnovice
01/23/2004, 01:19 PM
Thanks Rich. Ignore the email reply I just sent you.

yvonne :-)

thereefgeek
01/23/2004, 02:41 PM
James & Yvonne, I have all your parts set aside for the build. I just sent the e-mail out as a reminder to those signed up who don't RC.

reefnovice
01/23/2004, 03:56 PM
Thanks Rich. See you next Saturday. I might be a little late since I have a class at CRC. Will try to leave early to go to your home.

sagitariuscbc
01/31/2004, 10:14 PM
Thank you Rich,
Cathy and I really appreciate you hosting the DIY!!!:) :) :)
Thanks again!!!

reefnovice
02/01/2004, 02:57 AM
Thank you very much! My fishes and corals love the moonlights! :)

Photon
02/01/2004, 03:09 AM
Rich,
Thanks for the help today. They turned out nicely!
Thanks also for allowing the use of your garage for the DIY.
James

thereefgeek
02/02/2004, 01:59 AM
Thanks everyone for coming over and participating in the build. I think that was one of the largest diy's the club has ever hosted. Things got crazy at times, but thanks again for all your patience and good job on the soldering. Brian, I think it's your turn...

JONESY604
02/02/2004, 03:01 PM
Hello all:

Is there a diy layout for these things.

sagitariuscbc
02/02/2004, 03:09 PM
Best bet would be to do a search here at RC. There are alot of versions, you need to find what will work best for your needs.
Someone will chime in with a layout I'm sure.
The blue shimmering light is nice.;)

sagitariuscbc
02/02/2004, 07:51 PM
Just for the record all of Cathy's lights did work!
Seems we had a different bulb for it was not as bright.
I am so happy with the DIY more ways than one.
Thats my girl!!!;)
Go Cathy!!!:thumbsup:

Reefugee
02/05/2005, 04:16 AM
Rich

Do you remember where you purchased the small project box? I want to get a few of them. RadioShack doesn't have really small project box.

Minh