12 volt lighting

[Wits' End]

Are LEDs the most efficient low light lighting source? I'm looking for an out of the box, hook up the power leads, 12 V light source. We run on an anemic sun during the winter and I'd like something to suplement our kerosene lamps. There was a thread not too long ago on some truck lighting accessories from Kaper II, those look good but haven't found a supplier for them. We use about 20 kerosene lamps and I'd like to cut back on them. Any suggestions are welcome and TIA.

 

[Wits' End]

any input??

 

[McGizmo]

Witsend,

I have been told by others that the CCA (?) fluorescent are currently the most efficient lights. Don't know what your application is or how rugged the lights need to be. I am also not sure how well these lights would work in very cold climates. Some of us are working towards being able to bring some 12 volt Luxeon lights to market down the road but I have only seen the T1 and T1 3/4 LED's in 12 V light fixtures so far.

Please post if you find out any good info.

- Don

 

[Wits' End]

This is for in house lighting, usually stays above 55 F. Though we do freeze stuff on the floor now and then. Ah yes here comes -40

 

[Wits' End]

If I put 3 or 4 1W luxeons in series could I run direct off of 12V?

 

[Hemingray]

I made up a simple 12 V Luxeon light using three
1W Star/Os in series, along with a 5 Ohm, 5W resistor that I had on hand and a 1N4004 diode to prevent reverse polarity accidents. Mounted them in a cheap RV light fixture that I found at a local auto parts store. Removed the original incandescent bulb and socket (one cheap rivet), and mounted the 3 luxeons on the metal plate, as a heatsink. Draws 300 to 350 mA off a 12V 12 AH gel cell.

/ed brown in NH

 

[Albany Tom]

I've read somewhere here that the nichia's (spelling) are more efficient, although dimmer, than the luxeons. One good thing about LED's is that they work as well in cold as heat, so freezing shouldn't be a problem. Also, you could probably run sets of 4 white ones in series, and get dim light (How dim, I don't know), without blowing out the bulbs. Then you wouldn't loose anything in the regulator.

Way less bright than propane, but probably better than kerosene. Plus, no flicker! I remember the kerosene flicker as a kid when the power went out.

 

[McGizmo]

Witsend,

Do you plan to use a battery and be off grid with the lights? I have found that three LED's in series with a 150 ohm resistor is a pretty good compromise as the LED's are driven conservatively and you are safe up to near 16 volts (many wall warts and low voltage power supplies can have output well above 12 volts; especially if there is a low current demand on them) In the absence of all other light, the Nichia LED's can provide a surprising amount of light to those acclimated with night vision. In some cases, the Luxeon's will be so bright as to cause night vision loss and subsequent shaddows and dark spots. In all cases, it is adviseable to position the Light source itself out of the normal field of vision.

- Don

 

[Wits' End]

Yes, we are off grid so the input voltage would be in the 11.5-14.5 range. Depending on battery condition and whether or not the solar panel is charging at that time.
We quite often use 1-4 LED flashlights (flashlights w/1-4 LED's not multiple flashlights) to read by so standard Nichias would suffice in most cases. The Luxeon thought was for our pantry that has no windows, but want good light to see the back of the shelves.
Thanks for the input hadn't thought about a diode, good idea.

 

[snakebite]

i find that dc flourescents work the best and are the most efficiant indoors.they dont like extreme cold.
thinlites are the most common and you can buy the ballast seperate from northern arizona wind and sun to build your own or retrofit.
for night lighting i use 3 white leds in series with 220 ohms across the switch.(6 leds on a 24v fixture)
ls lights would be great for outdoor use or areas in the home that get cold like attic or garage.
btw i have more 12/24 volt dc stuff here than 120vac.

 

[Brock]

I use quite a few 12v compact fluorescent and you really can't beat them for brightness. Best of all they are running of sunlight from my solar array and battery bank. They are much brighter then my 12v LED lights and more useful in general. But the 12v LED lights are good for area where you don't need as much light, but enough to see by.

 

[Wits' End]

Snakebite (should be snakebright

) and Brock is the best place to get these lights at an RV dealer or is there a better source? Brands any better or worse?
Snakebite is thinlights a brand name or style?

 

[Brock]

I have gotten mine all over the place but Jade Mountain / Real Goods seems to have the best selection and price right now on the CF's

http://www.realgoods.com/renew/shop/list.cfm?dp=3000&sd=3001

I also have two 4 foot regular 40w fluorescent tube ballast's that run on 12v, talk about putting out a lot of light. I find they pull about 2.8 amps at 13v (36w), and they are definitely brighter then the dual 120 versions. You can use any 32w to 40w in them, they are made by Thinlights I also got a bunch of my lights from Wind&Sun

http://www.windsun.com/Misc_AE/Thin-Lite.htm

 

[Wits' End]

Thanks Brock!!