Dimmers for marine lighting

[Randy McHugh]

I was checking out lighting controls and dimmers for lights and was amazed
at the cost of them. I want to design my own to do the things I want, as
well as controlling my powerheads, pump, float control and options for Kalk
dosing, and autofeeding. I think designing a microcontroller system to
control these would be fairly easy. Instead of paying $3,000.00 for
seperate items, I could probably build them all in one box for $300.00.
My problem is, do the dimmers for florescents just flicker the bulbs from
on to off (after the ballast) at a given frequency to give the "appearance"
of lower light. I believe they do but I need confirmation. If so it should
be easy to do.
Also, if I do design this, would any of you be interested in the plans. I,
of course, won't be held liable for anyone KILLING themselves and I would
have to check with my lawyer to make sure I can't be held liable. If all
goes well there may be some pis_ed off companies that sell these products.
Oh well, I never said I was well liked :-)

[ChampLtg]

In the next two months, Nighe Engineering will be coming out with a new Solar
model that will not only dim VHO, but act as a wave maker and measure as well
as control temp, pH, and ORP. The unit uses an X-10 interface for control
operations. There will be several models, ranging from a dimmer only, to full
control.

Todd
Champion Lighting
www.championlighting.com

[hamrdog]

any estimate on a price for that?????

ChampLtg wrote in message <19990204130849...@ng134.aol.com>...

[Bill Streib]

I would be extremely interested in your plans and ideas. I am working
on a simular system. I already have the dosing and auto water changer
working as well as some other systems. I would like to exchange ideas and
plans with you if you are willing.
Contact me at bst...@on-ramp.net or bst...@drypers.com
Thanks Bill
Randy McHugh <rmc...@opd.com> wrote in message
news:01be4f9d$8b0bf8f0$e300a8c0@rmchugh...

[Martin]

Hi All,

My ICECAP 660 went up in a puff of smoke last week when I accidentally
spilled salt water on the ballast. I opened it hoping it was something
easy to fix. I felt a little sick to find no more than about $25 worth of
electronics in the "sealed metal box". If I had the time I would trace
out the fairly basic circuit board, compile a component list and "redesign
it" my self. I bet the whole thing would cost me less than $50.- less than
25% of the retail to make my entirely new "ICECAP".

BUT I am too busy. So I am offering the toasted ballast up for anyone will
to take the time to do it right.. just pay for the shipping of the ballast
to you...others here in the group may be very interested to find out what
is in a $200 ballast that probably manufactures for about $10 in qty...

anyone interested??

In article <79eleh$h...@news1.ee.net>, bst...@on-ramp.net says...

Hi

[Stephen Dyer]

>BUT I am too busy. So I am offering the toasted ballast up for anyone will
>to take the time to do it right.. just pay for the shipping of the ballast
>to you...others here in the group may be very interested to find out what
>is in a $200 ballast that probably manufactures for about $10 in qty...
>
>anyone interested??

YES!

Please email your address to me at sdy...@bellsouth.net . I'll gladly send
you enough money to cover the shipping. I've though about opening mine up,
but I'm afraid that I'd void the warranty. Still have another year left on
it. If it is easy to trace the parts, maybe I'll post a DIY on building one.