So after a year I've finally hit a milestone. The main manufacturing of my stand is done. Unfortunately when my fab shop dropped it off they forgot the hinge pins and mounting hardware for the lighting support. Any thought or comments are appreciated. It's all steel tubing powder-coated shot with a high gloss white.
The I designed a lighting frame that is hinged so it can be tilted back for easy access from the top. I welded flanges to support my Aquatic Life DX18 dimmable hybrid and I'll have straps on the top to prevent it from falling out when in full tilt. I'm sure I'll figure out something for the 3 A360x's as well. I also cut out a small portion to accommodate the power and 0-10v cables. The area cut is on the outside of the hinges so it shouldn't compromise the integrity. The whole setup is way overbuilt and very beefy.
Next I'm going to seal it with a 2 component aerosol clear coat. When I went to reef-a-palooza last year I saw a few people that had steel powder-coated stands but they didn't seem to understand how porous the paint is and it's extremely susceptible to rust, even shot with high gloss. It' won't become structurally challenged but it'll look super ugly after a year. My stand will be skinned with white laminated foam-core panel that will have recessed magnets. The bottom of the stand and lighting rig will all be covered. The goal is that the panel will just span onto the stand and frame providing for easy access.
The I designed a lighting frame that is hinged so it can be tilted back for easy access from the top. I welded flanges to support my Aquatic Life DX18 dimmable hybrid and I'll have straps on the top to prevent it from falling out when in full tilt. I'm sure I'll figure out something for the 3 A360x's as well. I also cut out a small portion to accommodate the power and 0-10v cables. The area cut is on the outside of the hinges so it shouldn't compromise the integrity. The whole setup is way overbuilt and very beefy.
Next I'm going to seal it with a 2 component aerosol clear coat. When I went to reef-a-palooza last year I saw a few people that had steel powder-coated stands but they didn't seem to understand how porous the paint is and it's extremely susceptible to rust, even shot with high gloss. It' won't become structurally challenged but it'll look super ugly after a year. My stand will be skinned with white laminated foam-core panel that will have recessed magnets. The bottom of the stand and lighting rig will all be covered. The goal is that the panel will just span onto the stand and frame providing for easy access.