T Slot Aluminum

[kenbennedy]

PSA - the material from tnutz is ~30% less stiffness and strength compared to the alloy and temper from 8020

 

[kenbennedy]

It's literally just a single piece of t slot hanging horizontal from the ceiling with the lights attached directly to it. I can hang the rail from as many as 4 spots from the ceiling, and its 5 lights that weight about 20 pounds total. I figured 1inch would be plenty strong enough.

the 1 inch is plenty strong, but it is not very stiff. You can plug your numbers in here for a ballpark, keeping in mind the alloy from tnutz is different than 8020, so the results will be off by ~30%

Beam Deflection/Displacement Calculator | 80/20 Aluminum Extrusions

Use this calculator to determine the deflection or displacement of 80/20 T-Slots profiles with one fixed end, two fixed ends, or a load supported on both ends.

8020.net

 

[Gtinnel]

the 1 inch is plenty strong, but it is not very stiff. You can plug your numbers in here for a ballpark, keeping in mind the alloy from tnutz is different than 8020, so the results will be off by ~30%

Beam Deflection/Displacement Calculator | 80/20 Aluminum Extrusions

Use this calculator to determine the deflection or displacement of 80/20 T-Slots profiles with one fixed end, two fixed ends, or a load supported on both ends.

8020.net

Thanks I never even considered looking for a calculator online. So apparently if using the stronger 80/20 my deflection will only be .05 inches using 10 series and that's with only supporting the ends of the bar. It looks like strength won't be an issue for the little bit of weight I'm needing it to hold, which I didn't expect it to be honestly.

 

[MnFish1]

Its 5 of the new noopsyche lights, which is just under 20lbs total. I currently have 4 mounting points in my ceiling for my current lights, so I can easily support the rail in 4 spots. Do you think the bigger rail would be necessary? The one I'm looking at on Grainger is a 10 series, which I'm assuming is 1" wide, which I assumed would be plenty strong enough. Although I have essentially no experience with t slot aluminum.

After looking at the bigger one the price on Amazon is very reasonable per piece. If all else fails I'll just use aluminum square tubing, which is cheap and locally available. I just like the though of the slot so that the mounting points are adjustable to change position of the lights, since I don't plan on evenly spacing them across the 6' length.

I checked out Grainger - they have the same 1.5 piece - x 6 feet. available. (I believe)

 

[JGT]

Not sure how the Noopsyches are configured but you possibly use 2 rails with ends for stability. See my pics to get a idea. I have mine hooked up to a shade tube motor so I can raise and lower so I can get into the tank for maintenance.

 

[Gtinnel]

Not sure how the Noopsyches are configured but you possibly use 2 rails with ends for stability. See my pics to get a idea. I have mine hooked up to a shade tube motor so I can raise and lower so I can get into the tank for maintenance.

The noopsyche lights attach to a bracket that then mounts with one single hole in the middle of the light. I could probably somehow mount them from the 4 holes that the bracket mounts too if I used a standoff so there is clearance over the fan (or at least it looks like the fan is raised, I don't actually have the lights yet).

 

[JGT]

I used 4 stainless steel M5 screws for each of my Radions. Heads fit perfectly in the T slot. And I can slide them back and forth where I want them. Adding additional nights is also a breeze if needed.

 

[Gtinnel]

I used 4 stainless steel M5 screws for each of my Radions. Heads fit perfectly in the T slot. And I can slide them back and forth where I want them. Adding additional nights is also a breeze if needed.

Oh wait I wouldn't need any kind of stand off. I just thread a bolt that is long enough to stick out of the top of the light enough to clear the fan then slide it into the channel, right? I may end up taking your advice and going with a double rail, if I get the supplies from tnutz adding the extra piece doesn't change the shipping.

Sorry I'm sure this is completely obvious to most of you guys but I've never worked with t slot extruded aluminum before.

 

[JGT]

Oh wait I wouldn't need any kind of stand off. I just thread a bolt that is long enough to stick out of the top of the light enough to clear the fan then slide it into the channel, right? I may end up taking your advice and going with a double rail, if I get the supplies from tnutz adding the extra piece doesn't change the shipping.

Sorry I'm sure this is completely obvious to most of you guys but I've never worked with t slot extruded aluminum before.

Correct. Amazon has the stainless M5 screws. Just get whatever length you need to clear the fan.