Installation of 12V lighting system

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 13:47

ThreadID: 85054 Views:2094 Replies:4 FollowUps:4

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Don

Our van (2001 model) has a 240V system but the "oyster type" lights also have a 12V switch if I choose to run them off the car battery (or a Power Pack-if I have one). We want to put in 12V fluros -3 inside & 1 outside- & have a 'power source' to run them when we have an off road S/O- which is not really often; but it would be convenient when me make a long trip. The convenience of this system is preferred over over making use of lanterns etc;
We have been quoted prices ranging from $55-$75- $85 per fluro, plus installation, plus, whatever a 'transformer/converter' costs.
A local battery supplier has suggested a sealed unit & charger (suitable for our needs)- at a very reasonable price.
Suggestions/advices will be welcome.

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Reply By: Bushranger1 - Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 15:50

Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 15:50

Hi Don,
I just put standard 240V compact flouro's into the 240V sockets of the light fittings in my van. I run a 12/240V 100watt inverter & I can use all the lights at once if I like due to to the low power consumption of the compact flouro's.
Much cheaper option than what your trying to do & works a treat.
Cheers
Stu

AnswerID: 448489

Follow Up By: Don - Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 15:58

Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 15:58

Thans Stu, appreciate your input.
Don

FollowupID: 720822

Reply By: Dr Hook - Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 18:16

Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 18:16

Ordinary Fluoro's might be susceptible to vibration.

Why not buy several 12-Volt emergency "trouble" Lights (Supercheap, J-Car or Amazon.com or such, prices from $5.00 to $20.00 each, depending on length/brightness) and cut off the Cigarette lighter plug or Alligator Clips and splice them into your wiring?
(mine has its own switch or you could wire them all through a convenient central block of switches.
They provide directional lighting and won't over-heat where mounted.
(At least you know they are robust, although I'm not sure of the lumen output - they have 13 Watts or more output.).

You could mount a couple "permanently" and keep a couple just hooked in place, so you could move them to where-ever needed.
Cheers

AnswerID: 448495

Follow Up By: Don - Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 16:01

Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 16:01

Thanks Doc,

Amazingly enough, Supa Cheap has a BIG sale on right now ,inc. LEDs etc.
Will have a look.
The overall installation costs, which I found out today, "exceed" our budget.
Don

FollowupID: 720823

Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 18:50

Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 18:50

You can now get LED globes for all regular fittings in 12v and 240v. Easiest way is to change the 12v globes to LED and use some LED strip lights spliced into the 12v circuit.

Peter

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AnswerID: 448496

Follow Up By: Don - Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 16:02

Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 16:02

Thanks Peter, That also i found out today from a mate...will lso have a look
Don

FollowupID: 720824

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Mar 19, 2011 at 07:52

Saturday, Mar 19, 2011 at 07:52

Assuming your oyster lights use the standard G4 20W bulb, you can use these, LED replacement bulb, they are about 2 times as bright as the bulbs you replace and use only 2w instwad of 20w. I was amaized what a couple of dollars worth of LED bulbs could do.

I also notice these which should be even brighter.

AnswerID: 448623