DIY "ATI" T-5 module

[cl0wn]

was looking for some previous pics for a planned diy t5 module and had a little trouble finding them, so have just copied and pasted the relevant posts and pics in here, just thought it might be handy (for myself also:))

credit to mr teee for the post below:
First of all , reflector side showing the individual reflectors and thee acrylic cover.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808015.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808014.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808013.jpg

On the end opposite to the fan, we have the tube end cooling holes.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808016.jpg

The single fan, is set to blow air into the unit, over the ballasts, and out the holes in the previous pics

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808022.jpg

Guts of the unit, showing the wiring and the 3 ballasts

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808021.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808019.jpg

The ballast themselves

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808025.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808024.jpg

Note that these ballasts are suitable for 24W and 39W tubes.
Fancy electronics sense the resistance offered by the bulb and drives it accordingly. these are NOT overdriven.

Yes you could copy the design if you had a cheap source for the ballasts. Dont know where to source the reflectors from though. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

pics of gary smith's diy 10 tube t5 unit.

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4649&d=1223236367 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4649&d=1223236367)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4650&d=1223236367 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4650&d=1223236367)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4651&d=1223236367 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4651&d=1223236367)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4652&d=1223236367 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4652&d=1223236367)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4693&d=1223763934 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4693&d=1223763934)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4694&d=1223763934 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4694&d=1223763934)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4695&d=1223763934 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4695&d=1223763934)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4696&d=1223763934 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4696&d=1223763934)

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4697&d=1223763934 (http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4697&d=1223763934)

[cl0wn]

wiring diagram and pics by pinkfish

Lighting is an expensive part of this hobby so I thought that I post a thread on how to make your own set of T5 Lights.

Its not hard.

This comes about from me dropping my Arcadia Lumminare 4x39w T5 Light unit into my sump like a muppet and breaking the damm thing.
Mind you I did manage to salvage some of the parts and also the light enclosure.
The Light unit is now fully working and lighting my sump.

What you need :

T5 Ballasts - I used 2 Ballasts both for 2x39w bulbs. Cost £15 each.
T5 Endcaps x 8. Cost £1.20
Switches x 2 (Dont have but this way I can control each Ballast. i.e 2 bulbs on or all 4 on. Cost £3
Various wiring ie Livewire,Earth, Lighting wire (Plain white ine). Cost £7
3 Pin Plug with a 3amp fuse. Cost £1.25

Bulb clips - to attach bulbs to something like the housing

Right heres a wiring diagram (basic one)

The orange / green coloured bulb correspond to the orange / green ballast
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x295/daddypinkfish/DIYt5.jpg
When running the wires from the plug you will need to split the cables so that they can go to 2 different places ie to both ballasts
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x295/daddypinkfish/DIYt5cable.jpg


Below is a diagram for the light switches, note that all the wires are live wires, and that you will have to split the wire as well.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x295/daddypinkfish/DIYt52.jpg
Below is a picture of the information contained on a T5 Ballast, It tells you all you need to know, like where the earth wire goes. ect.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x295/daddypinkfish/101_1313.jpg


So total cost of build without housing or bulbs is Around £45 - £50
Now considering that a Arcadia T5 4x39w lumminare costs around £200 thats a good saving to spend on coral instead.

You can do this for 6bulb T5 setup, just need another ballast, and for the 80w T5 bulbs again you need to get 80w Ballasts.


I hope that this is useful to you

Mike
<!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->

[Tangman]

Hi Peter thats a good idea m8, i am sure there will be a lot of folk who want to build there own lights. I think we should point out that folk should seek some advice from a qualified Electrician to make sure its safe to use. I say this after seeing some wiring disasters in some reefers tanks which were lethal, and the owners were lucky not to electrocute themselves or others. I have an idea i will PM you and see what you think. Twiggy:D

[DC110770]

Great write up mate.

Want to take an order to build a 8x54w unit!

[cl0wn]

54w on a perc 90? i'll be doing a build on a 6 or 8 tube build on a perc 90 with 39w tubes. will be posting soon just need to source the ballasts.

[cl0wn]

john do you know of any cheap sources of 39w t5 ballasts?

[DC110770]

54w on a perc 90? i'll be doing a build on a 6 or 8 tube build on a perc 90 with 39w tubes. will be posting soon just need to source the ballasts.

No for a 4x2x2.

I can retrofit 6x54w and I think if I cut the reflectors I maybe can get 8 tubes in!

[Guest101]

john do you know of any cheap sources of 39w t5 ballasts?

How cheap is cheap ;) Ive used a company before that sell twin ballasts for 12quid each.

[cl0wn]

How cheap is cheap ;) Ive used a company before that sell twin ballasts for 12quid each.

if you could pm me the details please john:D

[Guest101]

PM sent :D

[cl0wn]

cheers john, just assuming the 35w ballasts will run a 39w tube?

[Londonreef]

I think I got 4 spare ballasts brand new if you want them

Specs
2 x 24w or 2 x 39w HF Ballast for T5 Lamps

280mm (L) x 22mm (H) x 31mm (W) Weight: 0.16kg

220-240v AC and 180-240v DC

Tc Max: 80degC

Mike

[cl0wn]

pm replied to mate! can you post links as to where you got them??? could be interested.

[cl0wn]

proll thinking a load of rubbish here, but just wondering if anyone knew of the specs as to the best reflectors and amount of coverage with regards to depth. was just thinking that some reflectors that have a shallower arc than others may be causing light spill. look at the diagrams below, first one is how most peeps have t5's.

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=15&pictureid=544

basic drawing i know. but is the above true, or would the glass reflect the light back into the tank, or is the light spill not that great?

would it not be sensible to tilt the outer reflectors to reflect inwards like below.

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=15&pictureid=545

like i say pics are only to get the idea, i know they're bad!!! just wanted your thoughts, i mean surely the big names would do it this way wouldn't they, if it were more effective.

[cl0wn]

from these pics below i'm assuming the metal, the endcaps and ballasts are mounted on, goes all the way to the edges of the hood, thus forcing air that is extracted by the fans to come through the holes underneath the ends of the tubes, i will also be drilling vent holes at each end of the hood, underneath where the metal mounting plate. any ideas as to the metal best suited for the mounting plate / heatsink. was thinking either aluminium or stainless steel?

like the ati's i will be using the same endcaps, again cos i'm assuming the IP67's cover too much of the ends of the bulbs causing overheating.


http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808013.jpg



http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/adambirkitt/130808016.jpg

[Guest101]

cheers john, just assuming the 35w ballasts will run a 39w tube?

No a 35w ballast will only run tubes upto 35w.

Re your reflectors, I thik you would be better off using flat sided ones as it would be easier for you to control the light spill, A T5 tube will disperse the light evenly around the circumference from a point in the centre of the tube, Ive modified your drawing to show what I mean,

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/user586_pic544_1232500118.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/user586_pic545_1232500118.jpg

now since the light will bounce off a surface at the same angle the it hits it if you use a circular reflector then the light is bounced back into the light,

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/1.jpg

Where as if you where to use a flat sided reflector more of the light will be angles down into the tank where you want it,

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/2.jpg

It the same principal that the luminarc work on

john

[cl0wn]

very interesting john thanks for the input:D

[Timo]

John is dead right. His 1st drawing is exactly what happen when i made my DIY lights. I now have some sheets at 45deg and that stops it. If i re-made them i would have them lower with side bars in reflective material.

[cl0wn]

anyone know where you can get the reflectors, or of suitable material / suppliers?

[Londonreef]

Just buy some mirrored acrylic off ebay .....

Will cope with the heat and pritty much easy to mould with a heat gun.

Or just cut and glue it, .... get the supplier to cut it for you.


Mike

[Londonreef]

pm sent mate

[dollydip]

peter i think gary used ati reflectors on his unit feel free to pop round and have a look at light unit if it helps mate :D:D:D

[garlicbred31]

Any chance of that link for the ballasts please? I'm looking at DIY-ing my T5s if / when I downgrade the halides

[mazza]

what about a v shape reflector

[sinaarrgghh]

Any chance of that link for the ballasts please? I'm looking at DIY-ing my T5s if / when I downgrade the halides

Same here please, just might make my own for the hell of it.

[cl0wn]

garlicbred and sinaarrgghh, pm's sent boys.

[cl0wn]

slow night work wise, so thought i'd have a go at knocking up a unit design using paint. sorry it's basic but ain't as good as sketchup, but it's a work pc and can't install it. anyway.............

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=558

size will be approx 38x24x10 (ish)
leg-end
A - two square holes cut to size of heat extraction fans to be used, which will be 2 decent, quiet pc fans.
B - holes drilled for cool air intake.
C - thin as possible clear acrylic to protect tubes from splashes. slid into place and held in two grooves couple of cm up from bottom of unit on inside.
D - thin piece of acrylic mounted on inside of unit to allow edges of metal mounting plate to rest on.
E - hopefully acrylic worker will be able to come up with something to allow sides to be screwed on perhaps just a few chunks of acrylic to screw into.
F - sexy curved top, hopefully be able to have top and length sides made from single piece of acrylic.

feedback appreciated.

[Tangman]

Looking good Peter i might have to try one myself this summer. I have sent you a return PM m8 Twiggy:D:D

[cl0wn]

Looking good Peter i might have to try one myself this summer. I have sent you a return PM m8 Twiggy:D:D

cheers for the pm eric

[Londonreef]

pm sent regarding ballasts.

[jimbo1]

anyone got a link to buying some ati reflectors and ballasts??

[Tangman]

anyone got a link to buying some ati reflectors and ballasts??
Hi Bluzoo do the ATI products and they do mail order and are also sponsors. HTH Twiggy:D

[jimbo1]

thx Tangman - will give them a ring :)

[cl0wn]

ballasts have arrived, thanks to londonreef sorry i didn't pm you to thank you and let you know, thanks bud :thumbsup:

[FunkyParrot]

anyone got a link to buying some ati reflectors and ballasts??

I found a german company that sells the ATI reflectors.

Reading it through Goggle Translator it says something about the reflectors having to sit behind a protective screen as the reflective layer is very sensitive.

I can PM the link to anyone that wants it. Maybe BlueZoo can get these too. The price on my link is between 10 and 14 Euros per reflector depending on size (obviously you would have to factor in postage from Germany).

"
ATI ATI Reflectors for Power Modules


Original Reflektoren für das ATI Powermodul Original Reflectors for the ATI power module

ca. 5cm breit approximately 5cm wide

keine Bohrungen (werden beim ATI Powermodul) nur eingesteckt no holes (be the ATI power module) is only inserted
Please note that this power module reflectors if you have them for lamps and other home-use lamps, are behind a cover! These reflectors have a great reflectivity, but the reflection is very sensitive layer exposed. Behind a spray washer, as with the ATI power module can not happen.
"

[gary smith]

these look to be the same as i used they are 50mm wide and worth every penny i think the p&p was about £35 from germany.
you will need a perspex cover as the salt spray will destroy them in no time cheers gary

[FunkyParrot]

Cheers Garry.

Do you know who would do a balast for 2 X 80 watts per unit?

I guess I would need 5 of these.

Found these on Google. Not sure if they are suitable

http://www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=11292

Also, is there any reason why I have to build balasts into the hood itself?

Could I not just build a seperate, floor standing unit to keep the weight off the hood?

Cheers

AL

[Timo]

Cheers Garry.

Do you know who would do a balast for 2 X 80 watts per unit?

I guess I would need 5 of these.

Found these on Google. Not sure if they are suitable

http://www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=11292

Also, is there any reason why I have to build balasts into the hood itself?

Could I not just build a seperate, floor standing unit to keep the weight off the hood?

Cheers

ALThey would work. Most tell you on the top what the longest you can have your cable lenghts so you need to work out how far away they would be. Having them in the hood is a bit easier to wire up and you use less wire.

[cl0wn]

Cheers Garry.

Do you know who would do a balast for 2 X 80 watts per unit?

I guess I would need 5 of these.

Found these on Google. Not sure if they are suitable

http://www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=11292

Also, is there any reason why I have to build balasts into the hood itself?

Could I not just build a seperate, floor standing unit to keep the weight off the hood?

Cheers

AL

they really don't weigh that much, was considering the same myself for heat issues, but they don't get too hot are small, and don't weigh that much, have decided to go with in the hood.

[Hornrob]

im going to have a go at building a 8 x 54w unit on the back of this useful thread, ive ordered the ballasts but i cant find end caps any where any one point me in a direction? thanks, Rob.

[Craig Robinson]

RS components sell them.

[Hornrob]

cheers il have a look.

[cl0wn]

gonna resurrect this thread, shame most of the piccies have gone. got my ballasts, endcaps, wire etc. just need to source someone who works with acrylic. eric, could you pm me details of who did your nitrate reactor, do you think they would be able to knock me up a luminaire?

[Tangman]

gonna resurrect this thread, shame most of the piccies have gone. got my ballasts, endcaps, wire etc. just need to source someone who works with acrylic. eric, could you pm me details of who did your nitrate reactor, do you think they would be able to knock me up a luminaire?
Hi Peter i bought the tube and Acrylic sheet from a guy on UR and a m8 machined them out and i glued them together Twiggy

[r60sgr]

gonna resurrect this thread, shame most of the piccies have gone. got my ballasts, endcaps, wire etc. just need to source someone who works with acrylic. eric, could you pm me details of who did your nitrate reactor, do you think they would be able to knock me up a luminaire?

I've had work done by a guy with his own company will PM you his details. Was very reasonable and helpful building kit for me.
Stewart

[cl0wn]

I've had work done by a guy with his own company will PM you his details. Was very reasonable and helpful building kit for me.
Stewart

thanks for the pm mate!

[reefergeek]

where did you get your reflectors from are they better and smaller than the arcadia ones, they way my unit is set up 2 tubes fit in to one reflector