LED Aquarium Lighting

Step 9 Try it Out!

Now it is time to temporarily wrap the transformer power wires onto the main power rails. Don't worry if you plug it in and it doesn't work, just reverse the wires on the power rails and it should work. If it doesn't work, then use a multimeter and check that there is little or no resistance across each joint.

Comments

[phillipwheatley]

i know that black chord is the power supply...is it plugged directly into the wall outlet? i want to replicate this same concept for my fish tank/turtle aquarium and powering the LED lights is the only part of the project that i am uncertain of.

[Willard2.0]

A transformer is a device that converts 120V household AC current into usable low voltage DC current. They're usually used to charge electronics.

So basically the transformer plugs into the wall outlet and provides DC current to power the LED's.  I used one from a clock radio that outputs 9V, but you can use any one that is between ~6-12V.  Just adjust the resistor values for that voltage.