diy wavebox throwing around ideas

[johnl69]

What about making a wavebox for the Resun wavemakers the electroics are very easy to do this :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXmvXOTjtF4

[cl0wn]

must admit it's a great idea john, was quite impreesed with the effect of the tunze wave box yesterday at maccas.

[cl0wn]

ok, been doing a bit of research regarding the wavebox idea, john do you reckon this could be done with the cheapy chinesey pumps. like the look of the resuns, but if it could be done with a cheaper sunsun or even hydor or seio, then that's one cheap wavebox!!

[johnl69]

ok, been doing a bit of research regarding the wavebox idea, john do you reckon this could be done with the cheapy chinesey pumps. like the look of the resuns, but if it could be done with a cheaper sunsun or even hydor or seio, then that's one cheap wavebox!!

If the pumps are 12v the n yes it will be very easy if there 240 then there will be problems with the pump running backwards and not starting,

IIRC the Graupner 540 size motors have a sealed bearing in the front casing I'll check on one I have upstairs, If it does then it could be fitted inside a sealed box with just the shaft sticking out and a huge prop stuck on the end.

[cl0wn]

hhhmmm, remember some heated debates about controlling pumps on reefcentral, IIRC they need to be 12v dc is this correct? if so just a case of looking for cheap 12v dc stream type pumps?

[johnl69]

hhhmmm, remember some heated debates about controlling pumps on reefcentral, IIRC they need to be 12v dc is this correct? if so just a case of looking for cheap 12v dc stream type pumps?

Yeah they really have to be 12vdc, Ive had a look around for 12v pumps but the only one I can find (apart from the tunze and resun) are bilge pumps or fuel transfer pumps :(

[cl0wn]

have moved some posts from other diy thread to simplify things.

[cl0wn]

anything wrong with bilge pumps? would have thought they would be ok, perhaps something like this

http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=RULE+AUTO

but cheaper.

options i see it are,

use maxijet mod, but find a way of reducing, or eliminating wear.

find alternative stream pump

or find pump that can be modded to take prop.

[Chris C]

Have you seen the diy wavebox on you tube using a standard tunze 6100

Chris

[cl0wn]

Have you seen the diy wavebox on you tube using a standard tunze 6100

have spent all afternoon looking at similar stuff, just trying to find a cheap as possible alternative. the box itself should be no problems, the pump is the problem.

[johnl69]

The problem with bilge pumps is that they are usually centrifugal pumps and are big abd bulky, I think our best way of doing this is to find a way of encapsulating a normal 12v "Hobby" motor into a water proof housing to which we could attach a "prop" to.

[mousehunter22]

could one be made blue peter style from an old remote controled boat???

[johnl69]

could one be made blue peter style from an old remote controled boat???

Thats what Ive been thinking but the pumps need to be open to the air to allow for the heat to dissapate.

I wonder if the heat would dissapate throught and epoxy block like a normal powerhead does??

[cl0wn]

good thinking, how about encasing in resin?

[mousehunter22]

I think encaseing it would cause more heat,but the water should cool it:confused:

I might just bang a full boat in the tank and get Zac to sit with the remote going backwards and forwards:D:D

[cl0wn]

what about waterproof marine wiper motors?

[cl0wn]

going to the pub for some brain lubrication......

[johnl69]

good thinking, how about encasing in resin?


Yeah thats how most pumps are done,in a block of epoxy resin in a plastic box.

so what we need is,

1 x 12v 540 motor
1 x potting box (big enough for the motor to fit in)
and epoxy resin (the stuff used for boat building as the stuff for cars is not safe)

The shaft of the motors are stainless steal but most props have a brass insert which we dont want

[cl0wn]

how 'bout the resin on here?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10765309

[Tangman]

Hi Peter i have a idea for a wave machine. If you want i will PM my number and you can give me a ring sometime and i will tell you what it is. Twiggy:D:D

[johnl69]

This is one Ive used before and had no problems

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-Kg-Polyester-Resin-Catalyst-Glass-fibre-repair-work_W0QQitemZ220098012957QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p 3286.m20.l1116

[treeboa]

watch the 540 motors, not all 540`s are the same, some are high current draw

[johnl69]

watch the 540 motors, not all 540`s are the same, some are high current draw

Been looking at the current draws of the motors, We're going to have to use the 380 size as it current draw is 1A whereas the 540 is 7A:eek:

[treeboa]

380 series is the same john, windings etc etc, timing of them as well, what you need to remember is a lot of these motors that are quality jobs are for radio control racing, speed/brute power in a lot of cases is more important than batt life /current draw

[johnl69]

380 series is the same john, windings etc etc, timing of them as well, what you need to remember is a lot of these motors that are quality jobs are for radio control racing, speed/brute power in a lot of cases is more important than batt life /current draw


Sorry not the 380 I ment the 280 1.5A

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/edward.matthews/ddmbc_files/motors/graupner.htm

[cl0wn]

waterproofing the motor. any good.

http://members.tripod.com/robomaniac_2001/id197.htm

[johnl69]

waterproofing the motor. any good.

http://members.tripod.com/robomaniac_2001/id197.htm

Its a good idea but it suggests to put oil on the shaft, putting the motor in a box of resin would be much safer, also if the motor starts to overheat it will break the heatshrink tube which will let water into the motor

[johnl69]

What we could do is make a small stainless steel propshaft and place the motor in a box

[cl0wn]

Hi Peter i have a idea for a wave machine. If you want i will PM my number and you can give me a ring sometime and i will tell you what it is. Twiggy:D:D
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sorry eric, just seen this, yeah i'll ring you thurs evening if thats ok. pm me your number and what time best to ring?;):D

[cl0wn]

just another idea, drawing is very basic but it is half 4

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/wavebox.GIF


"plunger" is hinged in the middle, opens on downward stroke closes on the up.....?

[treeboa]

go with a surge device, fewer moving parts

[cl0wn]

eric had an idea of something a bit similar to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5wW0sL_CFk

[Tangman]

eric had an idea of something a bit similar to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5wW0sL_CFk
Hi Peter mine was like that idea, but it was a longer paddle reaching down about 9 inch into the tank and moving back and forth with a small electric motor. Twiggy:D:D

[cl0wn]

yeah, think it would benefit from bieng lower, and slowed down a bit.

[Tangman]

yeah, think it would benefit from bieng lower, and slowed down a bit.
That would do it, we will have to see if we cant make one. LOL Twiggy:D:D

[Timo]

What about making a wavebox for the Resun wavemakers the electroics are very easy to do this :D

I have a Resun wavemaker so if i make a box for it and put a hole in the front then will it work like the utube video??? :confused:

[cl0wn]

no it will run dry and burn out. needs the little cicuit to switch it on and off.

[Timo]

no it will run dry and burn out. needs the little cicuit to switch it on and off.
Aha now i get it :D.