1st large terrarium (4'x2'x2') set up

[beckdg]

i have not done the circuit board myself... seems expensive unless you're pretty good with electronics and the math involved.

you could use a nursery controller though.

[spiders_r_us]

Originally Posted by Epiphile

You might want to get a more powerful or focused spotlight on that rockpile there, if that's where you've put your orchids- I understand that those two need quite a bit of light, and it's got a ways to travel from the top of the tank.

That is were they are. Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely look into spotlights. I need them for my other angios too. If it works I am hoping to add a few more epiphytic orchids onto the tree trunks. I've put the orchids in orchid potting mix on seedling trays if I ever needed to take them out. If they still don't get enough light then it won't be a hassle and I can add other creepers instead.

Originally Posted by Epiphile

I haven't run them through a circuit board, but I've run multiple fans on just a 12V adapter.

Did/do you fans rotate at full strength?
Would one get enough power to run more than one 12V fan with one 12V adapter? Seems logical enough that it doesn't but it'd be nice to know for sure.

Originally Posted by Epiphile

I guess the board would be great if you had more stuff you could plug into it. Would you be able to control it with a PC that way as well, or is there more to it than that?

Yea I thought it'd make things easier if I ever wanted to add more hardware I could just add it to the board. The idea of setting a program occurred to me, instead of having big chunky timers, multiple cables and such. I wonder if I could even hook the lights up onto the system. I'll do a search after I finish cleaning up the joint for a house inspection tomorrow.

[beckdg]

many power sources/converters can do more than they're rated for. the 12v adapter puts out 12v. all the fans will receive this if run correctly. the amperage is what'll add up in this case. you want your rated amperage to add up just slightly lower from your components total when compared to your dc converters rating. this will keep the amperage (flow) down which in turn keep it from overheating and blowing out or starting a fire. computer fans run off the same 12v rail that most other components do in computers so they're definitely 12v. so it's definitely full speed. it's just a matter of if his amperage rating is high enough on his converter and whether it's hot or not.

you may be able to find a controller of some sort. they're scattered here and there. i have to add that to my to do list of sources. look into x-10 and equivalent controllers. you may be interested in remote controllers and pc control, idk. i'm pretty sure there's a nice controller on one of mtupup's threads... maybe a couple. do searches here and on your favorite search engine and you should be good. you could also check on orchidboard, dendroboard, geckosunlimited, hydroponic and garden centers, etc.. the word i was looking for before was greenhouse controllers. environmental controllers, grow room controllers, reptile controllers, etc. are all good search words to use.

[darc]

I, also, love the first pic. The thickness/refraction of the glass makes it look like you're underwater (or maybe I'm just sleep deprived : ) and that makes it even better.

On running 12v fans from a crafted circuit board, beck covered the requirements with the high points of voltage versus current quite well. However, when he mentioned that "many power sources/converters can do more than they're rated for", I didn't read this as a recommendation that you use an underpowered DC converter but can see how someone might be confused as such. To be clear, I know beck wasn't saying "a 12v converter may be rated for 500mA but it can actually handle 10A!" but I want to make sure everyone else understands this distinction. Please don't overload your electrical devices, especially AC to DC converters that are already venting extra resistance from the stepdown process as heat... it can easily result in fire.

But, to add to what he said, if you have any more questions, or want to build a circuit that can handle what you need, then let us know (preferably by PM, I miss a lot of posts each week, unfortunately) and we can probably give you a schematic/pinout to accomplish what you want.

Because I posted that thread about me helping with electronics, I now feel like the forum electronics nanny - making sure everyone is being careful... but I suppose I'd rather be a broken record on safety than have someone burn their house down because I didn't provide the safety warning... so please excuse the fact that I place a safety disclaimer in every thread (and, please pay heed to them)

-darc

[darc]

O, and the project is looking sweeeet : D

-darc

[beckdg]

yeah... i'm thinking the wording on that didn't exactly come out as a warning, sorry. it did mean they can do (and no, don't expect 500mA not to promptly blow with 10A sucking off it) it and aren't meant to therefore there's a risk of fire and such. darc is absolutely correct.

[darc]

Originally Posted by beckdg

yeah... i'm thinking the wording on that didn't exactly come out as a warning, sorry. it did mean they can do (and no, don't expect 500mA not to promptly blow with 10A sucking off it) it and aren't meant to therefore there's a risk of fire and such. darc is absolutely correct.

I was pretty sure that's what you were going for, but like I said, I feel like the electronics nanny now so I wanted to be extra, super sure/clear.

Thanks beck,
-darc

[spiders_r_us]

Thanks, I'll watch out for the amperage. My friend has a degree in electronics and he'll help me with the setup on Fridy. I found another mantid in the garden (this one almost got lawn mowed!, last one almost got axed!), so I'm gonna have to seal up the tank if I want to keep them in the tank. Hack saw here I come.

Anyone know what size fans and how many I would need to provide good circulation of air in the tank?

[Epiphile]

If you can find a couple old computers lying around, just rip out the case fans- I think they're three or four inches across. They're free, and they'll do the trick. Mind you, they're pretty cheap in the stores, too, but still- free.

[brp4e.]

different computers have different sized case fans, js. 2+ 120 mm fans would be pretty good, imo.