Fluro Lights
Submitted: Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 00:03
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Member- Rox
If buying 11w fluro lights make sure that u use + & - corectly as they dont work if wired wrong. I added an in line switch and took 3 days to get it working(it worked on the battery) (wires other way) (in hind sight) Mine has an Inverter.Around Oz 06/2004
Reply By: Wazza (Vic) - Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 02:07
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 02:07
Yeah, thanks Rox. I had same problem a couple of months ago. Pulled up just before dark. I had made a 12v extension lead to run from the back of the car to the tent and somewhere along the way I had crossed the + and -. Connect up to cig lighter - ok, connect to new extension - nothing. Took about an hour to work that one out. It was just a cheapie at $15, but has copped a hiding bouncing around the back of the car for about 3 years now and still goes strong.Cheers,
Wazza
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Reply By: stevesub - Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 07:35
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 07:35
We use 11W 230V flouro's when camping running off an inverter that plugs into the cig lighter. Also can charge camera, laptop and razor batteries at the same time. Just use a normal extension lead like you use at
home.
The inverter was bought in New Zealand for $100 at Dick Smith a few years ago and is great. We have a 150w version which is all we need.
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Follow Up By: Bob Vella - Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 10:21
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 10:21
Not a very efficient way to get light using a mains type inverter. Sure you can use it to charge other things, but if you need to conserve battery capacity a 12v fluoro is substantially more efficient.
All 12v fluoro lights have to have an inbuilt invertor. Fluoro lights will not start below 190vAC. The reason why a 12v DC fluoro light is so much brighter than an equivelent 240vAC fluoro of the same size and wattage powered from an invertor or the mains, is that the inverter in the 12vDC system runs between 5,000Hz and 8,000Hz. Standard mains is 50Hz. You will get 25% more light for no increase in power consumption from a 12v fluoro compared to a 240vAC mains powered fluoro. Not only will you have less battery consumption you will have 25% more light which is always a welcome bonus.
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