I hope no one has dial-up cause this update has 37 pictures in it.
Anywho, on to the mayhem!
Started off the evening by attaching the basking light socket to the cabinet.
Pressed it in place.
Added some glue to the back.
Here's both installed.
Now it's time for some electrical work!
Worked on running the wiring for the in-tank lights. Here's the wires coming straight out of the rear socket.
Far too long. A little snip and...
I used crimp on butt connectors (yes, that's their real name....you can laugh though.
).
Crimped.
Both ends.
Took the spare wire I had laying around and cut the two conductors apart.
Began stripping one end.
Stripped.
Inserted into the butt connector and crimped in place.
Both wires securely spliced together.
Wrapped in electrical tape for that added protection and paranoia.
Stapled the wires to the inner wall of the cabinet and began to route the wiring.
Here's the rear socket routed under the decking support towards the front of the cabinet.
Did the same procedure for the front socket.
Here's the switch I'm using. It's supposed to be a loose inline switch for a lamp or something similar. I'm going to mount this sucker.
It's guts.
I drilled holes through the existing screw holes but drilled all the way through the plastic case.
I cut the negative side of each set of wires short.
Twisted them together.
And attached them to the screw post in the switch. I also at this time attached the cord that will be connected to the power source to the switch.
Here's the completed switch mounted.
Cleaned up the wiring and finished the run from the switch.
The switch is accessible from the right cabinet door. View from the outside of the cabinet.
Plugged her in, screwed in a couple bulbs and.....
Next I worked on the basking sockets. Pretty much the same deal wiring wise minus the switch. These lights will be plugged into a timer set for 12 hours each day. The in-tank lights will be turned on when we want them on but will largely be left off.
Connected power to the basking lights and...
Attached a power strip to the right access panel and plugged in both sets of lights.
I had to cut a little notch in the bottom of the panel CAREFULLY so the power strip's cord could exit.
Finally, here is the right access panel installed.
And the left.
I must confess that as I sit here and type this, the cabinet doors are also installed but I can't post pics of that yet. I ran into a snag. The doors don't completely shut. I will have to buy magnet catches to hold the doors shut. I'll take pics tomorrow when I get that done...I promise.
I am SO STINKING CLOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I doubt I'll get sleep tonight.
