185g Deep Reef Build
 

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Looks interesting. What will the controller actuate?

Looks like a controller for the actuator that will raise and lower the canopy

Exactly. I wanted to be able to press a button and have the canopy raise to the ceiling (via limit switch), and press a button to send it all the way back down. I don't think a controller like this exists...or at least I could not find one, so we made one.

This is the design for the glass case it will be housed in. Illuminated push buttons for Up, Down, and Stop:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u...ol%2520box.jpg

Can't decide what color LEDs to use on the board itself...going to ditch the current ones, they were just what was on hand.

Princess auto sells controllers for their actuators
They plug directly into the harness of the actuator

I see. That's not really something I wanted to find out afterwards! Oh well, I enjoyed making it...

I admire your work...I got my actuator from this place

http://www.firgelliauto.com/

sorry.

at least you saved 80 bucks

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/prod...tor-Controller

Did it ever occur to you that absolutely no one on this site has any use for your comments. Why not jus say " hey great build" and move along

Hey great build.

Thanks! Much appreciated. :)

I was not offended by MarcoD's comments whatsoever. Let's just leave it at that please!

Drawings look sweet buddy, didnt you add water today tho??

PICTURES!:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

We will accept iphone pictures.... for now. :wink:

Yep the actuator for this build is from there as well. It's one of the 200lb track actuators. We're also using a 50" heavy duty bearing rail with extra bearing blocks from them. They seem to be very high quality components.

Hey Cade, you're thinking of the Microsoft tank: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...threadid=85094 :D

Oh, thanks. and sorry... :redface:

Looking forward to Tuesday.. ;)

New toys! Solid-state mini-pc with Windows 8 and multi-touch monitor that will be installed behind a cabinet door in the canopy.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g...4/s720/003.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T...k/s720/004.JPG

Loving this...where did you get the mimo? Is it a deluxe or the basic? Is that the beta for Win8? Didn't think that they had much functionality yet with that.

I got the Magic Touch directly from the manufacturer. It's a deluxe, but I believe the diference is only in the stand, which I'm not using. They upgraded to the deluxe for free due to a longer than expected lead time.

Yeah, Windows 8....I will get back to you on that. Right now I need to find a workaround to get the touch screen working fully...the resolution is just shy of the minimum requirements to run the Metro apps. And Internet Explorer just stopped working altogether for some reason. I'm hoping it gets updated significantly before we put the tank together or I might have to go back to Windows 7.

Great build so far it's got some creative flair to it which I'm liking!

So your controller only requires a single push for up/down and the actuator operates until it reaches it's limits? I just had a simple toggle switch this is way nicer =)

Thanks Brett! I had a look through your current tank build but I couldn't find an actuator (great idea with the table of contents...might have to borrow that one!) Were you talking about a previous build?

This tank will have a lot of wiring, and I needed a nice solution to keep everything organized while accomodating the movement of the canopy. All wiring between the canopy and base will be routed through these coiled cables:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlinkhttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1.../IMG_00024.jpg

A bit heavier than necessary for most of the power going through them, but too big is better than too small!

Weatherproof junction boxes will keep everything tidy, adaptable, and dry. There will be a total of 3 boxes in the hood. This large one will accommodate wiring for the actuator controls and sensors, ventilation fans, and will route the USB to another nearby junction box serving as a USB hub (for touch screen, Vertex V-link, and webcams). A small junction box will handle the power for the Illumina LED fixture.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9.../IMG_00026.jpg

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Pc
 

So what will this lovely piece of modern tech do for you i have not seen this toy before but i want one!

I'm liking it too...I want to put one in my car!

This will provide:
-Wireless network gateway for the tank controller (Apex and later...Cerebra)
-Vertex Desktop for control and programming of Illumina LED
-Webcam hosting for remote monitoring
-Tank journal
-Virtual networking for remote control of all of the above with mobile devices

Here's a link to the mostly finished lift (box wasn't filled/painted):

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...&postcount=194

Videos (beware it's loud - wasn't near that bad in reality):

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/build/lift_up.html

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/build/lift_down.html

Oh I remember that tank! Just didn't make the connection.

Had to play before building the case for the canopy lift controller... I really like these buttons.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l...o/s640/009.JPG

Okay, where did you get those? Very nice indeed.

What model shuttle is that? Love the look of the toys in this build!!

http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...742-ND/2116221

Not the cheapest things, but they were by far the nicest push buttons I could find. They should go well with the stainless angles and standoffs that will join the glass together.

Thanks, subman. It's the XS35V2 with 4gb ram, and 60gb SSD.

Canopy lift finished and stand getting ready for mill work. I am very, very pleased with the action on the lift....it's smooth!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g9on4B75Ymo/T5...s/s800/006.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WWQgT1qHL4g/T5...I/s800/009.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RcC4oTojNdQ/T5...A/s800/001.JPG

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http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rvleZjSJZlc/T5...4/s800/003.JPG

Wow.. Looks good, you should try to send out a video on the canopy going up and down..

And cant wait to see it done and the next one too..

Nice job

I second that motion!

This is looking very impressive!

The tank's not in a good position for photos but here's a teaser. 3/4" Starphire.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P...U/s400/006.JPG

As requested, a video of the canopy lift in action!

http://youtu.be/buQuBfeXbyk

NICE!

Very awesome! Seems so smooth. Looking forward to all the details on this build.

what are you guys doing for corrosion protection on the lift