Floating AND motorized canopy finally done!

[myakuel]

hey,
I am looking to do something similar on my 220 waterbox but in pvc board. i dont think i have the skills to do it my self on such a large tank, especially if my only option is wall/ceiling mounting bc the tank is rimless. anyone know of a company that could help?
much appreciated

 

[Jim8o]

Thanks!

The only real flaw in my design is the way I have the winch lifting. I have it lifting from the right side only and then the pulleys help move the whole canopy.

As you can see in my video it’s starts to lift that side initially but then levels out just fine. Then when it stops I can fine tune and level it perfectly by hand.

The only way I see to counter act this would be to secure a cable on both sides and run it through the pulleys. THEN, have the winch cable pull from between the pulleys.

As of now, I have no issue bumping it level. If it ever becomes a pain, I guess I’ll shimmy back up and move the winch to the center. Oh well, hope this thread helps inspire others!

Or two winches connected to one controller? Might work.

 

[scottsweet]

Try a Firgelli actuator...https://www.firgelliauto.com/

Here is mine....

Final Canopy Video

Automated Hood Video

 

[rusty hannon]

This has been a long building process. Not from lack of time, but the location for all my pieces and parts to raise my hood. I like symmetry and things need to look thought out. I decided awhile back I would be suspending my canopy BUT I wanted it to easily move as well for working in the tank.

My first MAJOR hurdle is that we have vaulted ceilings in this family room, and getting above to tie into trusses was difficult to say the least. Honestly, this project sucked! I had to shimmy through a small triangle in the truss about 40’ to get above the tank. So small I couldn’t even be on my hands and knees, I literally had to army crawl all while making sure NOT to fall through my ceiling!!! Many trips of hand tools, drills, wood, electrical supplies, and most importantly the power behind it all, an electric winch. Which by itself weighs 34lbs.

After wiring everything and extending the winch remote down through the wall I drop the cable down through the drywall, looped it through twin pulleys on my canopy and went back up through the drywall, and secured the cable to a mount 23” away from the winch.

I then dropped to power cords, one for my t5s, and one for my leds. Wired in a couple outlets and it was finally ready for a canopy.

My dad and I built the canopy a few days prior so I could fill holes, sand, stain, and clear. We made the canopy to hold my original Aquatic Life Hybrid fixture. It literally drops right in.

I mounted some cables I made, added some hooks and the canopy was ready to hang. I just need to snug up my power cords with a spring and I’m done! Now onto the stand!

See pics below...

I’ll get a video uploaded soon...

Beautiful and ingenious R

 

[DaneGer21]

Try a Firgelli actuator...https://www.firgelliauto.com/

Here is mine....

Final Canopy Video

Automated Hood Video

Nice! I wish I had the room for all that, haha. Vaulted ceiling are tough to work in. Slightly more complex but very nice indeed.

 

[BigMax]

Try a Firgelli actuator...https://www.firgelliauto.com/

Here is mine....

Final Canopy Video

Automated Hood Video

Hey Scott, really like what you did!

I was looking at a linear actuator as well, but I do like the track actuator. Question: I believe when an actuator hits the end of it's travel you can remove the power applied? I was going to design it with that in mind, such that I would only turn on the power supply when I lift the canopy. No reason to leave power applied for extended periods? Were you able to accomplish that? Again, I may not know the actual implementation requirements. Thx

 

[vetteguy53081]

Try a Firgelli actuator...https://www.firgelliauto.com/

Here is mine....

Final Canopy Video

Automated Hood Video

Beautiful stand and woodwork - very similar to mine which is cherry wood

 

[scottsweet]

Hey Scott, really like what you did!

I was looking at a linear actuator as well, but I do like the track actuator. Question: I believe when an actuator hits the end of it's travel you can remove the power applied? I was going to design it with that in mind, such that I would only turn on the power supply when I lift the canopy. No reason to leave power applied for extended periods? Were you able to accomplish that? Again, I may not know the actual implementation requirements. Thx

There is a switch you set up to shut off the track actuator at the right spot. It can be anywhere in the path of the actuator. Here is a picture.... If you watch the videos on my link above, you will see how the actuator hits the switch and then shuts off the actuator.

With the controller provided by Firgelli, it shuts off the power to the actuator at the end of its cycle. Their controller also has the wireless feature. They make a linear actuator too with a very high weight rating if you prefer. https://www.firgelliauto.com/

 

[BigMax]

Thanks! That helps.