Lighting Your Camp

A place to discuss all things involving power and technology (including cameras). Generator tips, alternative energy, lighting your camp/bike/art/self, sound systems and more.
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gyre
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Post by gyre » Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:57 pm

If you want to light a big area and are okay with amber, you can get a 12V low pressure sodium or use an inverter.
Very efficient and pleasant.
Very amber.

Not cheap in 12V.

Equal to a 500 watt quartz in 55 watt lps.

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Ugly Dougly
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:09 pm

CFL's have their ballast built in or don't need them, yes?
Can I run a 12-volt CFL off of a 12-volt lantern battery?

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gyre
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Post by gyre » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:27 pm

I don't know how long, but yes.
A big quality difference is the voltage tolerance.
I have some that stay lit until they are barely glowing.
Others cut out early.

Running my tiny tv off D cells, it shut down early.
The same batteries in the 22 watt fl lantern ran quite awhile.
The same batteries in the 11 watt coleman lantern/flashlight would run even longer, even compared to running one 11 watt bulb in the other lantern.
If you are using batteries, try to get exact specs on the voltage required.
Automotive ballasts usually tolerate at least 15 VDC.

Built in ballasts in a CFL will usually be inferior to a separate ballast.
Some more than others.

Remember the voltage drop caused by the load of the lighting.

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Ugly Dougly
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:32 pm

Probably the trick will be in finding 12-volt CFLs. Most of the boating supply places nearby have closed down. Apparently that's what they use on boats since they're running off of the boat's battery.

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gyre
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Post by gyre » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:37 pm

Here is one approach.

Use 10 gauge single conductor wire, large strands or solid.
Run parallel lines and attach the medium base compression sockets that screw over the wire, piercing it.
I don't know the technical name of these.
Put them where you want them.
Stretch the lines where you want them, usually overhead.
After the line is mounted, screw in the bulbs.
They also have 12V incandescent bulbs.

Connect to a switch and car battery or deep cycle.



Bear in mind that all cfls are more fragile than standard bulbs.
The spiral seem much more fragile than the vertical style.

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gyre
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Post by gyre » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:38 pm

Real Goods/ Gaiam and many other places have them.

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