making a light rack that can be raised or lowered

dputt88 · Mar 18, 2018

so i recently started making a light rack for my LEDs and i wanted a way to raise an lower it. it will eventually hold 4 gen 1 reefbreeder photons ( i made the rack so that when i do upgrade to another brand i can use the same fixture).
here is the rack as of now.

and here is the setup...

so i need a way to hang this that wil let me raise and lower.

ideas in 3....2.....1.... GO!

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 18, 2018

here’s one.

https://www.amazon.com/Sun-System-710180-Motorized-Fixtures/dp/B00IGFK3F8

dputt88 · Mar 18, 2018

currently unavailable

however i honestly never thought about using a motor or winch.... i wonder if i could just get a cheap one from harbor freight and use that. maybe just swap out the standard cable for stainless.

dputt88 · Mar 18, 2018

ok so i can really see this working now. all i need is some help finding a small, light duty winch. maybe something rated for 100 lbs or so.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 18, 2018

dputt88 said:
ok so i can really see this working now. all i need is some help finding a small, light duty winch. maybe something rated for 100 lbs or so.

I think thats unavailable from those guys. I’d poke around.
But yes , pretty similar rigs are out there.
Bike racks are one place to look.

Dom274 · Mar 18, 2018

Do you really need to support 100lbs? You could easily use (Probably one for each fixture, so you can adjust them independently) window blinds - Just remove the horizontal slats (Whatever they are called, the light blocking things) and attach the bottom of the strings to the fixture.

mehaffydr · Mar 18, 2018

Try google “garage gator” this thing looks like it would work great

dputt88 · Mar 20, 2018

so garage gator seems expensive and i think 100 lbs is fair. you have the weight of 4 LED fixture which may not be much but its a moving part as well as a suspended part. not to mention a suspended object with elecrtical current sitting over 240 gal of salt water.

so can anyone point me in the direction of a winch or light lift that doesn't have a free wheel mode (only cranks up and down) that is rated for continuous use? and hopefully only cost $100.

mehaffydr · Mar 20, 2018

If budget is the concern why not use some screw eyes in the ceiling with pulleys and then cables or cord going to a hook on the wall?

graffitireef · Mar 20, 2018

Here ya go

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Buffalo...BEgK1X_D_BwE&dclid=CIHt69uI_NkCFc51YgodjyUGFw

George Lopez · Mar 21, 2018

mehaffydr said:
If budget is the concern why not use some screw eyes in the ceiling with pulleys and then cables or cord going to a hook on the wall?

That's what I was going to recommend you can even put different level hooks on the wall and adjust whenever you want. The winch sounds cool but overkill and how often do you plan on using it honestly?

George Lopez · Mar 21, 2018

Double post

Cjud7982 · Mar 21, 2018

I have a build thread of my last light fixture that I am in the middle of finalizing. I didnt go as elaborate as using a winch, but it works for me and gives me about 6 inches of height adjustment. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/all-in-1-light-rack-for-less-than-50-bux.364313/

However, if you do not want to by a winch and wire it up off of a car battery, you can use like a manual boat winch. Look at something like pn 3196T55 https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/124/1548/=1c2n97a . like 60 bux.

Cjud7982 · Mar 21, 2018

also fyi, super jealous of you being able to dedicate that much space to a tank. I wish I could, looks awesome!

dputt88 · Mar 21, 2018

Cjud7982 said:
also fyi, super jealous of you being able to dedicate that much space to a tank. I wish I could, looks awesome!

honestly its my father's. when i lived with my parents we had our joint projects and that was awesome. but i live in a tiny 400 sq ft apt in the city, and will stay here for at least the next year. so while out here my only outlet is heading over to the parents place whenever i can so i can tinker with something.

dbl · Mar 22, 2018

More options, from manual to electric.

https://www.sunlightsupply.com/shop/bycategory/light-movers-and-hangers

MauiMarineAquarium (MMA) · Mar 24, 2018

I don’t have experience with any move able lightning rack builds, but when I stumbled onto your thread I immediately thought of this custom rack a guy built. I seen it on a vblog, I was impressed. The rack has 10 light fixtures on it ,if not more. He uses a crank/pulley system to move the rack up and down. Here is the link, jump straight to 8:15. I hope this helps in the idea department.