Moon Lights

After seeing the moon lights from last meeting, I thought I might try a diy version.  I was searching around for adequate LEDs and came across this:

http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T031/1081.pdf   These LEDs are replacement "bulbs" for automobile signal lights and instrument panels.  And they're very bright.  They also operate at 12 volts which is nice since my hood fan is 12 volt too (and I wouldn't have to wire in resistors if using normal LED Vf=3.5volt).  Check out item 441-1007-ND (7000 mcd!).

Anyway, this got me thinking that the auto parts store might carry this sort of stuff so I went to Checker and checked :).  I bought a LED conversion kit for the rear licence plate bolts.  The kit contains two VERY bright blue LEDs with wire leads and a switch all for only $7.  Checker didn't have any info on the peak wavelength for the LEDs (the guy behind the counter looked at me like I was crazy...he's right of course).  I tried them last night on my tank and they must be 470 nm or close to it cause my corals fluoreced when under the LED.  Anyway, that's pretty cheap compared to other options out there.

I'll post a pic when I get home tonight...

Seems to be a bunch of people over at RC interested in the same thing.  I haven't read all the threads but here is one to check out. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=110662&highlight=BLUE+led

Well I tried taking pictures of the light on in my tank, but my camera is junk and it turned out way too dark.  Here's a picture of the packaging and installation.  The package comes with two LEDs and a switch.  The LEDs are mounted in the head of a bolt making installation very easy.  The effect is kinda neat...like shimmering moonlight. 

pistonfister- You can use any transformer over 3.7 volts, you just need a resistor in series with the LED.  Everyone has a wall plug transformer laying around gathering dust (it looks like Sarnack has some available if needed).  If the current for your LED is 20 mA (typical) and you're using a 12 volt power supply you'll need a (12-3.7)/0.020 = 415 ohm resistor.  So wire a 500 ohm resistor in series and it should be fine.

Neonlicious, hahahaha that's funny.

How about ghetto bootie licious.

Once again, here is a topic I have tried to avoid, but now I'll make my comment.  Since so many of you seem interested in moon lights, I will give you some inside info.  In two weeks a new type of moon light will be released for public trials, and once again, we may be getting one here for our club.  I won't tell you how it works (to keep the surprise) but I'll let you know that it doesn't have an LED.  It doesn't have any type of bulb!

Adam

Mark,

I have heard of people using the indiglo nightlights as well but I dont think they make the corals glow like these LEDs.  Also with LED's you get the nice glitter lines.  And the light was built from about 12 bucks in supplies.

Dave

 I seriously wonder if there is a benifit or not to running a moonlight. I friend of mine was arguing a piont with me. He said if you have a moon light then you shouldnt run it every night because the moon isnt out every night. Well He had a piont I guess you could go out and get a bunch of differant sized leds and simulate the lunar cylce but that still leaves the first question do these ( any on the market)  moonlights have any benifit besides looking cool. If they dont then you could run any led or light night light like Mark said and call it good. 

jfinch, Are you running just a strait 12v power supplie to the leds you bought ?

On Danny's tank the power goes up to a box mounted in the center of his canopy, this is where the resistors are, then from that box there are 2 ethernet cables that go to each side of the tank and mount to the sides of the canopy with a sticky pad zip tie holder thingy. 

Also Radio shack has some LED holders almost identical to the ones that came on yours.  I think they were like a buck and a half for 2 of them.

I mounted mine last night but I didnt have enough room to do the same thing, so I think I will drill holes in my reflectors and mount the bulbs there with the screw-in type connectors like you have.

Dave