Ultra cheap auto-on LED moonlights

[Greg Hiller]

For about $10 at Costco I picked up a pack of 6 (or was it 8?) plug in night lights. These use 1/4 W of electricity, but put out a surprising amount of light. They are automatically activated when the lights go out. They actually have a color changing feature (no idea how it works) that can allow you to choose between a bunch of different light colors, and there is a chip that remembers the light color choice the next time the light comes on. I plan to use several of these in the next lighting hood I build.

This option seems a lot simpler that trying to wire up some LED's on your own.

[KAS]

Thanks Greg! This sounds great but I need a little more info because I am electrically challenged. I assume this has a normal plug since it is meant as a night light. Is it a simple task to 'rewire' this thing for a hood? Or do we essentially run an extension cord? (not literally). Sorry to everyone if this is a really naive question. I HATED my EE classes in college.

[dad300]

that sounds realy good. are they small? I'm looking for a small moonlight type something to put in/ around my 29. do you have a plu?

[NateHanson]

Do you need a membership to shop at costco?

[clamm]

that sounds realy good. are they small? I'm looking for a small moonlight type something to put in/ around my 29. do you have a plu?


DAD300, IF YOU WANT MOONLIGHTS, i CAN BUILD YOU A SET IN EXCHANGE FOR FRAGS OR SOMETHING...BUT YOU NEED A CANOPY TO MOUNT THEM IN.

[clamm]

Do you need a membership to shop at costco?
YES, YOU CAN GET A 1 DAY PASS TO LOOK AROUND, BUT IF YOU BUY ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO GET THE MEMBERSHIP.

[Ray]

I have a membership if anyone wants it picked up :)

[dad300]

Geeze.. Don't yell!

Casey,
I'm looking for a stand alone item. More like the moonlight that was at the meeting on Saturday. I may break down and buy one of those. But then again.. I'm wicked cheap!

[Greg Hiller]

This is just a standard night light, plugs into the wall. It's about 4"x2"x2" or so. All you need is a socket to plug it into. Products tend to come and go at Costco, so if you want these I'd suggest you purchase now. Prior to these color changing ones they had some that were almost the same (LED based), but did not change color.

[reefsmurf]

Seems like a good deal with the auto lights off detection.. .better than the thing I posted about which you have to wire to a power adapter and put a timer on :D

[nemogonecrazy]

just wondering if these lights would give off the glitter lines that led lights give off

[SMS76]

Greg, what department do you find these lights in costco? What's it's called?

[Greg Hiller]

>just wondering if these lights would give off the glitter lines that led lights give off<

Any point source of light should give off glitter lines.

Shoeib, at the Costco in Danvers they are on the right had side as you enter the building, about 4 rows past the TV's row. Good luck.

[SMS76]

Shoeib, at the Costco in Danvers they are on the right had side as you enter the building, about 4 rows past the TV's row. Good luck.


Thanks Greg, i will check it out

[Marlboro]

Do you have any pics with the lights installed by any chance ?? Thanx

[Matt L.]

Thanks for the great info! :)

I'm down in Florida, and my family has a membership, so I'll try and find them down here,

Matt:cool:

[Greg Hiller]

Just a bump for anyone too challenged to make their own LED light fixture (like me!).

[Greg Hiller]

FWIW, we've been using these in the kids rooms for many months with no problems. They supposely will last for many many years.

[sanker]

I really think you need more than a couple of night-lights to light up a tank...I'm also pretty sure the wavelength needs to be a fairly specific 470-480nm for growth.
http://www.arcadia-uk.com/mblueact.htm

my _guess_ is night-lights are not in that spectrum.

see the post:
http://bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9498

you would have to run an extension cord to each one. not ideal.


with the LEDs on independent lines you can adjust the "spotlight" to highlight specific items (coral, zoos and frog spawn really fluoresce in my tank)
I would also be willing to make moonlights for the cost of the materials and a couple of coral frags
cost is: LED $25 for 15 (1.66 each)
resisters: $0.4 each digikey.com
speaker wire: $0.15/foot
power brick $15.

mine has 5 lights so: (5x1.66)+(5x0.4)+(6x0.15)+15=$26 (you supply a $9 timer) + two coral frags.

so, you send the number of lights you want in your hood, distances between lights and what you have to offer and I'll wire 'em up.
I can post pics of my mad wiring skills :)

You gotta have this in your tank. WOW.

pics are brighter than reality due to slow shutter speeds needed to capture the image.
http://homepage.mac.com/sanker/PhotoAlbum36.html

-Sean

[Greg Hiller]

>I'm also pretty sure the wavelength needs to be a fairly specific 470-480nm for growth.<

You are trying to grow corals with a moonlight? You are right...you guys are way out of my league. I only want a small amount of light to simulate the moon. The nightlights I have look like a cool white/blue light similar I figure to the look of the moon underwater (as I recall from the last night dive on the reef).

[nitrofish]

>I'm also pretty sure the wavelength needs to be a fairly specific 470-480nm for growth.<

You are trying to grow corals with a moonlight? You are right...you guys are way out of my league. I only want a small amount of light to simulate the moon. The nightlights I have look like a cool white/blue light similar I figure to the look of the moon underwater (as I recall from the last night dive on the reef).

I think he's confusing actinic lighting with moon lights

[Steve H]

I put one of these lights on my 58g, they work great