Paul (paul@btcase.bt.co.uk) writes:
> I would like to set up a couple of lights (12v 60w maybe). I have been
> wondering about a power source to use. How long would a car battery last
> if I used that and charged it at home? Does anyone have any experience
> of this situation or any ideas for alternative lighting setups? I dont
> need the whole garage brightly lit but I would like to see what I'm doing!
..and Tim Dziechowski (timd@ptltd.com) writes:
> In a prior occupational incarnation, I used battery operated lights for
> booth display at shows where wires running across the floor were prohibited.
> A car battery will run two 100 watt bulbs for 6-8 hours before totally
> discharging.
I'm not sure exactly what kind of 100 watt light bulbs you're referring to;
can you elaborate? Do you mean the little high-intensity jobs found in desk
lamps?
If Paul is looking for a good caged drop-light for car work, I have come
across 12-volt versions that plug into the cigarette lighter. These are
_not_ scaled-down versions of the mains-voltage style, not tiny ones that
use a #1156 turn-signal bulb for lighting, but full-size units with a bulb
that looks identical to a household lamp, but is rated for 12 volts. These
are not very common (and Paul, I don't believe Sears is in the U.K., unfort-
unately), but might be useful in this situation if you have a good auto
parts supplier nearby that stocks them.
As for recharging the battery, if you're not using the one in the car, I've
seen solar-powered trickle chargers with a panel that you hang in a window.
Can't vouch for their quality, however, nor whether they can supply enough
oomph to do a recharge vs. a maintenance charge. Anyone else know?
Andrew C. Green
Datalogics, Inc. Internet: acg@hermes.dlogics.com
441 W. Huron UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!acg
Chicago, IL 60610 FAX: (312) 266-4473
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