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Post by slabmaster on Jul 19, 2006 22:48:56 GMT -6
i want to run some 12v lighting in my little camping trailer. i am also going to wire it for 110 v outlets and probably one or 2 110 v small flourescent light fixtures. i really dont want to spend the 250 dollars they want for a cconverter so i was thinking about a 7 amp dc power supply from carlton bates for 63 bucks to power my 12 v lights. what do you guys think about this kind of set up. any input would be appreciated. by the way i plan to also have a 12 volt battery to run the lights " on a temporary as needed basis" for winter time jaunts to the deer woods and the catfish hole.
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Post by Whiskers on Jul 21, 2006 9:08:16 GMT -6
That will work but it will only power about 4 18 watt bulbs and that will be pulling 6 amps. You might get a little more if you drop back to the 12 watt bulbs but they are a somewhat dim looking light.
4x18 watts = 72 watts
72 watts divided by 12 volts = 6 amp
It's really a good idea not to draw but 2/3 power of your converter or it will shorten the life of it greatly.
If you went with 12v flourescent you might draw less power but I'm not sure what the startup is on the flourescents I figure they probably draw about twice the power to start as they do to run.
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Post by Whiskers on Jul 21, 2006 9:28:42 GMT -6
If it were me I would just save the money from the inverter.When your hooked to 110,run off of 110 lights and just run your 12v lights off of a battery when your boondocking.Or if you want to use the 12v lights when your on shore power just hook your battery to a good automatic charger.You could wire an outlet to a light switch and have the outlet under a cabinet or wherever your battery is so you can leave the charger hooked up and just flip your lightswitch on when you want to charge your battery.
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Post by donkey on Jul 21, 2006 10:41:56 GMT -6
I know a feller that has been down the 12v road, already. Powers his whole house from 12v. I'll see if I can get him to pop in to talk tech stuff with ya.
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voltz
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by voltz on Jul 22, 2006 18:16:09 GMT -6
i want to run some 12v lighting in my little camping trailer. i am also going to wire it for 110 v outlets and probably one or 2 110 v small flourescent light fixtures. i really dont want to spend the 250 dollars they want for a cconverter so i was thinking about a 7 amp dc power supply from carlton bates for 63 bucks to power my 12 v lights. what do you guys think about this kind of set up. any input would be appreciated. by the way i plan to also have a 12 volt battery to run the lights " on a temporary as needed basis" for winter time jaunts to the deer woods and the catfish hole. Howdy.. Are you going to have A.C. power at the site where you plan to set the camper? Or, are you going to use shore power when ya can and use the battery when ya cant? |
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Post by slabmaster on Jul 24, 2006 18:50:21 GMT -6
i appreciate the input fellas. im going with 12v battery power and not worrying with the converter.
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Post by Whiskers on Jul 24, 2006 20:20:15 GMT -6
You might find one out of an old travel trailer in the future pretty cheap.I think it's pretty common to find 40 - 60 amp converter in them.I had an extra 40 amp I gave away a couple months ago to someone who needed one.
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Post by slabmaster on Jul 25, 2006 22:15:43 GMT -6
i am gonna keep my eye open for a cheap one but i think the battery on a charger will suit my needs. i am only wiering 3 circuts for 12v lights.
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Post by Whiskers on Jul 26, 2006 21:25:56 GMT -6
You should get by fine like that.It shouldn't draw much power just for the lights like that.A light will burn for quite a while on a good battery.I have had one of the kids turn on a light in the motorhome in the driveway and it has went a week with one light burning and not ran down the battery before.
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