DIY PAR38 LED Track Light

[Wicket_lfe]

This is something i'm def interested in. Could you get some more up close pics of each part? I'm not quite sure what to look for/buy.

thanks!

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by Wicket_lfe

...Could you get some more up close pics of each part? I'm not quite sure what to look for/buy.

These are the two main parts from HomeDepot:

Hampton Bay Linear Track Lighting Floating Power Feed $6.97
Hampton Bay 4ft. Liner Track Section $9.97

Then buy the cheapest/marked down/discontinued LINEARPendant light you can find. You are only buying the pendant for the track plug. Try to find one for a regular 40wt bulb as it should have heaver wire.

HomeDepot has LED dimmers, a regular dinner may not work.

Go to my earlier IKEA link for the power cord I used.

Lampshade is up to your taste just be sure you have good air flow around the bulb.

I think at this point I should state to do this project at your own risk. This work should be done my an Electrican. I'm sure this DIY voids several warranties written or implied. Basically, if you have to ask what parts were used.....maybe this one is over your pay grade

No offence intened, I just don't want to "inspire" anyone to get electrocuted.

[Wicket_lfe]

LOL, thanks. I've done a lot of LED lighting and solder work, just trying to avoid building my own track and soldering multiple LEDs. Plus my dad is an EE and is always confirming/critizing the stuff I build. LOL.

Thanks again!

[DogFish]

That being the case you & dad probably are more knowledgeable than the guy that helped me at Home Depot. I've never installed a track light, the extent of of my electrical genus is running wire & hooking up boxes. So, this would be a no brainer for you two.

[Larry Grenier]

I found a seller at that "e" place. $65 ea.

May I ask; who is that "e" place?

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by Larry Grenier

May I ask; who is that "e" place?

I think that is the place commonly known as FCBZ (Substract one letter from each to get the secret name)

[freph]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

I think that is the place commonly known as FCBZ (Substract one letter from each to get the secret name)

I saw this and was like ".........*stare at screen for 30 seconds*......what....?" and then it clicked. Thanks for frying my brain, Hoppy.

On topic, this is a really nice setup. Seems like this would be perfect for a nano tank the way the light is focused. Great job!

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by freph

... this is a really nice setup. Seems like this would be perfect for a nano tank the way the light is focused. Great job!

Thank you! Yes, it would be good for a Nano. They make a smaller bulb PAR30 that might be better for small nano. However you get a lot of range with the dimmer and of course you can adjust how high you hang the light.

My next display tank will be an 18"x18" cube and I'll use a single PAR38LED. I might use a ceiling box and regular pendant fixture design for that vs. the track.

[DogFish]

This is the group of C. Becketti I planted on the right side directly under one of the lights.




All plants were within 1/2" in length at planting. Pretty obvious were the strongest concentration of light is. This is about 1 month after set up.

I will be moving the light farther to the right on the track to try to get more even growth.

[Craigthor]

Just curious what kind of light spread you are getting with these guys.

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by Craigthor

Just curious what kind of light spread you are getting with these guys.

If you look at some of the pics, I have them 12" off the top of the tank & it's 16"T. They fill the tank pretty good. But, it's pretty obvious that the intensity isn't even. I don't think there's much one can do about that with two bulbs.

The plus thing is because I used a Track vs. single ceiling outlet box fort each is I can move them .

i'm going to try to get the growth evened out then I'll run at 1/2 power for a month to see how that affects the growth.

[WibblyPig]

Sorry to jump in your thread but you don't have to hard wire these in. You can buy a 4' piece of track and a plug in connector ( http://www.lowes.com/pd_120827-38269...e|0&facetInfo= ) for under 20 bucks. No need to cut in ceiling box, etc. (especially if you're electrical skills are questionable).

[DogFish]

True.

But, the whole idea was to not have wiring visible

I move the light up 4" to improve spread. I'm now running 3/4 power.

[audioaficionado]

Have you figured out how to diffuse those hot spots directly under the lamps to even out plant growth?

[DogFish]

Steve - I think moving the lights up is working. I'm seeing a more even growth now.