Re-Wiring Aquatic Life Hybrid

[Just_Pete]

Thanks for the heads up, I got a pair of the 36” ordered. I may document the modification process in detail this time.

Any chance you get around to doing a detailed walk through on this? Got my fixture coming in next week and would love to run a single wire.

 

[Just_Pete]

All done! Now I have just one cord for the t5 and one for the AP700
Thank you @Behnken for the inspiration.
I found a nice little plug to plug the hole for the removed cable.

What additional parts, if any, did you have to get to complete this single wire install? Connectors etc?

 

[Crabs McJones]

What additional parts, if any, did you have to get to complete this single wire install? Connectors etc?

Hole plugs and wire strain relief fittings. Solder and a soldiering iron. Screwdriver, wire strippers, wire cutters and a 1" drill bit and a drill.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Plugs to plug the hole where the second wire was,
And cord strain fittings for where you run the cord to the other fixture.

I obtained these at my local true value hardware store.

 

[Fudsey]

@Crabs Mcjones a 1" drill bit?

 

[Crabs McJones]

@Crabs Mcjones a 1" drill bit?

Sorry 1/2 inch. Thanks for pointing that out. I had one inch on my mind for some reason lol

 

[Crabs McJones]

 

[Just_Pete]

Plugs to plug the hole where the second wire was,
And cord strain fittings for where you run the cord to the other fixture.

I obtained these at my local true value hardware store.

Thank you sir. I’m sure it’ll all make sense on Monday when my lights get in and I can see the unit/wires and how everything works.

I’m assuming you used the ballast power wire from unit one, cut it and linked it into the white, black and green wire on ballast two?

Sorry if my wire terminology is off but hopefully my explanation makes sense

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thank you sir. I’m sure it’ll all make sense on Monday when my lights get in and I can see the unit/wires and how everything works.

I’m assuming you used the ballast power wire from unit one, cut it and linked it into the white, black and green wire on ballast two?

Sorry if my wire terminology is off but hopefully my explanation makes sense

Correct

 

[Just_Pete]

Correct

Thanks!

 

[Fudsey]

I did the same and switched the ballast to the closer end on the rear one to save on wiring. I drilled a hole in the middle of the rear light so the cord could come out in the middle of the back

 

[drtrash]

Frankly the new end covers make the wiring non issue

 

[Kyl]

Frankly the new end covers make the wiring non issue

They solve the aesthetics, but I'd wager most of us did this mod to have a single power wire instead of two. Since it's both banks or nothing, not one from each housing which would make more sense to run "split" channel so to speak.

I'm most likely picking up the 24" kit later this summer and will repeat the mod on that as well. The hardest part is joining the split, but I picked up some of those lever connectors so it should be much easier now. I don't trust thumb nuts long term with braided wire.

 

[drtrash]

My other heartburn is cord is too short to reach plug so either I pull original and replace with longer or add extension cord

 

[AquaticLifeProducts]

My other heartburn is cord is too short to reach plug so either I pull original and replace with longer or add extension cord

Just curious does your fixture have the original 6' power cord or the 8' power cord. Just trying to see what people are needing in the product.

 

[Just_Pete]

Just successfully rewired my fixture. So much better!

 

[drtrash]

I just bought it from brs and was assuming it was a 6ft cord

 

[AquaticLifeProducts]

I just bought it from brs and was assuming it was a 6ft cord

It should have the 8' as they sold out of the 6' pretty quick. Did you want a longer cord still? Doing research for future product improvements.

 

[JBKReef]

Looks really good! The problem we are seeing is the variety of aquariums that the fixture is used for. As an example, I'm not sure this would work for the customers wanting to use it for a peninsula aquarium.

We are working on other layouts and designs but they are not finalized yet.

Thanks for sharing the mods to the fixture.

Checking in on this post... and the most recent post made. How are the alternative layouts progressing? My DIY skills are negligible so I have avoided trying this "hack"

If you're still taking feedback, if a single chord is not an option then for my set up at least having the chords exiting the same side of the fixture would be helpful.

Keep up the awesome work and customer interaction!

 

[AquaticLifeProducts]

The existing unit will likely not have any more changes made to it. Have you seen the new decorative covers that hide the T5 wires and the LED wires?

The new white units will have the decorative covers included as we figure these will be out in the living areas and will need to hide the cords.

The "in process" dimming hybrid unit will have a single power cord with 0 -10V input. Since this unit would be fully assembled we would have the single power cord. However it will not be adjustable like the current unit is, as the wires will be running through the ends of the fixture. So it will be fixed at the 18" width and all the existing 18" hybrid fixtures parts will work with the fixture. Just can't adjust to 16" or 23.25".

Thanks for the input. Are you running a peninsula tank?