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12 volt lighting

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Evilgoat:

--- Quote from: "muddyzook" ---Had a feeling it was going to be illegal, but remember it's only illegal if you get caught  :D only joking.

What are the rules on doing something along these line for say a garage or shed ? that has no connection to the grid at the moment, if it is a simple as changing the batterys for bigger one's to make them last longer then this could get around my shed power problem. Getting hold of a big UPS should not be a problem as we are having all of ours changed at work.
--- End quote ---


Shed at my Ex's was totally off-grid, including the TFT monitor and think client I used for looking up stuff on the net when one of my projects invariably got stuck. One whapping solar panel and two lesuire batteries.

You can use a UPS like that no problem at all but you still need to use mains to charge without a panel. you might be better off with a panel and invertor and even then, take a look see what needs to run off 240. Also remeber power tools = BIG invertor.

muddyjames:
This is really interesting to read all the replies. Keep em coming.

What is a UPS? Only UPS I know is the parcel delivery guys in brown vans!!!

I am mainly wanting to start out on 12volt lighting. Keep the 240volt system as it is so if the batteries die I can still see!!

I have thought about a battery charger to top batteries up if they do go flat but to be honest as I am at work from dark to dark (7am-3-4pm) and it is day light then the batteries will have all day to top up again. If they do go totaly flat due to lack of light I will put a car charger on them over night. Not sure on if I still gain by that or not but hopefully I wouldnt need to!!

Only 240volt things that are constantly going is fridge / freezer and pc for a few hours at night. You maybe thinking now if thats all I am running then light bulbs wont take much to run but I am a tight arse and like to do my small bit to the environment to counter act the bad I do like driving and use gas to make hot water etc etc.

I dont use a kettle as I cant stand tea, coffee, dont use tv as I dont have 1 so the mega power useage items I dont use.

The other thing is if I have 12 lights everywhere in a power cut I will be laughing :lol:

I am no electrician so need to keep everything to a minimum in the trickyness stakes!!!

A 12volt wind generator maybe usefull to help the pannels charge the batteries up.

In a caravan and boat you can get very bright ceiling lights these days that run on 12volt. I only have a small 2 bed house so wont take loads of work to do.

I still want to keep my 240lights just incase the batteries go dead!

MuddyMike:
If lighting is your biggest use for electricity then why not just switch to low energy light bulbs? I saw them for sale in Focus DIY last week at only a quid each.

Mike

muddyjames:
To charge a battery of say 120 amp hours what kind of wattage solar pannel would I need?

I have found a few intersting sites along with someones link above.

for example This 15watt one

Would that charge a half flat 120amp hour battery and if yes how long would it take on a cloudy day roughly as most of the time it is cloudy in the uk!!!

With 2 120amp hour batteries and 2 solar pannels so 1 pannel charging each battery, would they do the job?

Would I wire the batteries up in series or parrallel? Im guessing parrallel.

muddyjames:

--- Quote from: "MuddyMike" ---If lighting is your biggest use for electricity then why not just switch to low energy light bulbs? I saw them for sale in Focus DIY last week at only a quid each.

Mike
--- End quote ---


I have those light bulbs but I got mine from Ikea. Totaly free lighting sounds even better though :wink:

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