Fluoro lights

Hi Drew
I have had the same problem, if the voltage drops to 11.5 they have problems starting, I have found starting the truck for a moment will get them started and then they are happy to run for the night
Ray

That's because at 11.5 volts your battery is as flat as it can get without drastically shortening the life of the battery.

When modern betteries go below 11.6 volts they are flat or close to it. Late model 4x4s need from 13.2-14.4 volts to make all the gizmos work correctly and alternators have been built to keep batteries to that level. 12 volt is no more. Therefore modern batteries are built to handle these higher voltages. Your fluoros need a bit more to start than run. Soooo, if you continue to run your lights once your battery reaches 11.5v, then your battery will have a short life. Get the charge up and stop using the battery at 11.6v

NI Cad batteries like to be flattened.
LEAD Acid batteries don't. If you take a lead acid battery down below say 30 or 40% capacity you are seriously reducing it's life. 11.5 volts -if measured some hours after discharging- means your battery is basically flat(empty). Flatten it completely and some would advise you to chuck it- I wouldn't quite say that but it is not too far off the mark- atleast for a starting battery.
The "deep cycle" batteries you buy which look like a car battery are NOT really a true deep cycle battery at all, rather only a modified "starting battery"- they do tolerate deep discharge better than a starting battery but you should still avoid taking them too far down if you want them to last long. The true deep cycle batteries are very heavy and very expensive- ie:totally impracticle for your 4WD or caravan.
If you never flatten an automotive style "deep cycle" battery to more than say 40% capacity, and then recharge ASAP, it will last you a long time. (usually many, many years)
If you regularly flatten it completely, then look forward to replacing it in a very short time, and most companies will NOT honour a warranty claim if this is the case.
Summary- keep your lead acid battery as full as possible all of the time.

On the subject of Batteries.. What is the difference between a Deep Cycle Battery and a Marine Battery?

Diamond.. How do you find the Delcor Batteries. Evakool recommend them as does Christie Eng. I have to buy two Batteries before my next trip to go onto a Campomatic Trailer to run a 60l Evakool f/f and lights. I was leaning towards Odysee ( not sure of the spelling) until I saw the prices. I will end up with them later when I turn into a Grey Gypsy but for now I reckon two 100amp should do the trick. I have one of the Christie "Gen" sets, so between it and the car I should be ok. I imagine the cost of Marine Batt. and Deep Cycle Batt. are just about the same. Sorry to Drew for getting off the subject of lights but they all relate to the same subject ie. Power on a camping Trip.

Getting back to your lights, fluros draw a larger amount of current when starting as they have to ionise?? the gas in the fluro tube. Once the gas is ionised it'll last, depending on the battery, for hrs.

Drew

I too have two lights like yours. One the same brand and one a Versalite which appears to be the same light to me.

My experience is very different to yours. I first read your post yesterday and have since gone out and tested my lights with a multimeter on 3 batteries.

I have never had problems getting the lights to start if there is reasonable power in the battery. The lights just become too dull and then I start using the next battery.

I use sealed lead acid batteries for the lights. Most are 17A/h and one is 34 A/h. These are the most robust of any battery I have ever used, and I have about 10 of them.

I just tested the light on 3 batteries.

Battery No 1 - 12.5 volts after sitting for 5 months idle. Light started after a few flickers.

Battery No 2 - 11.5 volts. Light startes as for battery No 1.

Battery No 3 - 8.5 volts. Light started after few attempts and after removing scum from terminals. Only one half of tube was lit.Bright at the base then no light up near the bend of the tube. Voltage went down to 5.5 volts in 30 seconds. Removed light and put it back and same as before. It started but very dull. Removed light and voltage slowly started to climb back up.

For running fluro lights - I highly recommend these batteries.

Sean