DIY PAR Meter Wand

[Bret]

Didn’t want to spend the ridiculous amount Apogee wants for their fancy stick, so decided to whip something up myself.
cost me next to nothing.
I went to the plastic store and picked up a 3’ section of 3/8 acrylic rod and a scrap piece of 3/4” acrylic sheet. They were scraps so I got them for free.
shaped the 3/4” piece into a teardrop shape, drilled and countersunk a hole for the sensor mounting screw. Then drilled an angled hole with a slight press fit for the rod. Glued it in with some #33 I had left over from another project.
let’s see some other diy par meter wands!

 

[WIReefer]

Nice job! Ive been looking at diy options! Thank you for sharing.

 

[neonreef3d]

I use an app on my phone. just have to be careful not to drop your phone in the tank..

 

[DaneGer21]

I use an app on my phone. just have to be careful not to drop your phone in the tank..

Huh?

 

[neonreef3d]

Huh?

download the app photone. its a par meter.

 

[JMetaxas]

download the app photone. its a par meter.

Just downloading now. Look forward to see how it works.

Update: It looks like you have to pay a bit to get it to read LED light sources. ($4.99). Natural sun light is free.

Anyone else use this?

 

[neonreef3d]

Just downloading now. Look forward to see how it works.

Update: It looks like you have to pay a bit to get it to read LED light sources. ($4.99). Natural sun light is free.

Anyone else use this?

i found that the metal halide setting works well, but need a diffuser on the camera lens, I took a small 1/8" plastic, and sanded it with 600 grit, and placed it over the camera to get a good reading..

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Small pvc
D

 

[FFKiwi]

Didn’t want to spend the ridiculous amount Apogee wants for their fancy stick, so decided to whip something up myself.
cost me next to nothing.
I went to the plastic store and picked up a 3’ section of 3/8 acrylic rod and a scrap piece of 3/4” acrylic sheet. They were scraps so I got them for free.
shaped the 3/4” piece into a teardrop shape, drilled and countersunk a hole for the sensor mounting screw. Then drilled an angled hole with a slight press fit for the rod. Glued it in with some #33 I had left over from another project.
let’s see some other diy par meter wands!

Wow this is EXCELLENT!! How the heck did you "shape" the 3/4" acrylic into a teardrop shape?

 

[Bret]

Wow this is EXCELLENT!! How the heck did you "shape" the 3/4" acrylic into a teardrop shape?

I used a jig saw to rough cut the piece into a roughly 1" by 2" rectangle, then used a belt sander to do the final shaping.

 

[FFKiwi]

I used a jig saw to rough cut the piece into a roughly 1" by 2" rectangle, then used a belt sander to do the final shaping.

OH wow i can use a jig saw to cut acrylic?

 

[Bret]

Definitely, but not for anything you need a clean edge on like a bonded joint.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Wow this is EXCELLENT!! How the heck did you "shape" the 3/4" acrylic into a teardrop shape?

Warm it with a heat gun and cram it into the hole.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

OH wow i can use a jig saw to cut acrylic?

Yes, fine tooth like for metal, drill it with a “step bit”

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Is that a sq 420 with a lightning adapter?

 

[FFKiwi]

Yes, fine tooth like for metal, drill it with a “step bit”

So are you saying like, a metal drill bit to make the hole, as well as a metal bit to cut the acrylic into a small piece? This girl has a bunch of tools but not so much knowledge

 

[FFKiwi]

and for filing could i use like, a Dremel? or is that not strong enough?

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

So are you saying like, a metal drill bit to make the hole, as well as a metal bit to cut the acrylic into a small piece? This girl has a bunch of tools but not so much knowledge

no not a normal metal one. Those will break your acrylic. One of these: CO-Z 5pcs Hss Cobalt Multiple Hole 50 Sizes Step Drill Bit Set with Aluminum Case

Go slow and it will give you perfect holes.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

and for filing could i use like, a Dremel? or is that not strong enough?

For filing you could use a Drexel. But, just a piece of 120 grit sand paper to knock the rough edges off and put a small bevel on it for safety. If you want to have it smooth and shiny, after the 120 grit, sand it with 180 grit sand paper. Obviously this is all for the edges, don’t sand the clear clean surface of your acrylic.
Oh, no need for fitting tear drop shaped parts together either. Just use water thin acrylic solvent to glue it all up.

 

[FFKiwi]

no not a normal metal one. Those will break your acrylic. One of these: CO-Z 5pcs Hss Cobalt Multiple Hole 50 Sizes Step Drill Bit Set with Aluminum Case

Go slow and it will give you perfect holes.

oh okay i know what those are. what about the type of blade to cut the acrylic? would it be similar to a blade i would use for say, metal?