Installation of 12V lighting system
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 at 13:47
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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.
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
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
Follow Up By: Don - Saturday, Mar 19, 2011 at 10:59
Saturday, Mar 19, 2011 at 10:59
Thanks Boobook,
All these options!! Thanks again.
Don
FollowupID:
720875