Posted by Victor Roberts on June 20, 2011, 11:05 pm
On Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:13:33 -0400, news@jecarter.us wrote:
>On Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:52:29 +0100, The Other Mike
>>Currently got a remote observation site (wildlife) with no grid fed
>>power nor any prospect of it.
>>
>>Half the site has a few modified 4ft T5's (36W) retrofitted with 12v
>>IOTA Ballasts (2D12-1-32) fed from a lead acid battery charged by a
>>solar panel. The other half of the site has 5ft T5's with magnetic
>>ballasts fed by a Honda EU20i generator which despite being a quiet
>>suitcase model and loads of additional soundproofing is still way too
>>noisy. Near silent operation is essential. Hauling fuel is also a
>>PITA as its a long way from the road.
>>
>>So I need a way of powering the 5ft T5's (58W) from a low voltage DC
>>supply. IOTA only make ballasts up to 40W and they need a circa 50v
>>supply, realistically I need to keep to 12v to keep the solar array
>>price down.
>>
>>So thoughts turned to an inverter fed from an uprated solar array and
>>battery.
>>
>>A cheap modified sine wave inverter (circa 500W capacity) on a 100Ah
>>brand new battery fails to even kick even one 5ft tube into life. The
>>manufacturer says these inverters are not compatible with fluorescent
>>tubes but doesn't elaborate any further.
>>
>>Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights working off
>>grid?
>>
>>A change of ballast to an electronic type? (all indications are this
>>could won't work?)
>>
>>Moving to a pure sine wave inverter (extremely expensive) ?
>>
>>A different inverter supplier rather than 'one hung lo china inc' ?'
>>
>>A ballast supplier that offers 12v ballasts that will drive a 58W
>>tube?
>>
>>A homebrew 12V fluorescent inverter, running at high frequency that
>>will drive 5ft tubes and costs not a lot? :)
>Since you appear to be in the UK, the first product source below won't
>be much help, but the concept might be an alternative.
>Do you need fluorescent tubes or would LED bulbs be a more efficient
>choice for solar powered illumination?
>The local home/garden center has 120 volt 7.5 watt LED bulbs (lumens
>equivalent to 40 watt incandescent) for $0US each. These bulbs work
>with a dimmer, so they are not picky about the power source.
>Two of these LED bulbs should provide more light than a 5 foot
>fluorescent tube plus provides power savings.
>12 volt LED and CFL bulbs are available, but they are usually at
>premium prces: http://www.led-cfl-lighthouse.com/
>John
Two 7.5 watt LEDs will not provide more light than one 58-watt Linear
fluorescent lamp - not even close. You need to read real data sheetsm
and not just marketing hype.
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
http://www.cflfacts.com
sci.engr.lighting Rogues Gallery http://www.langmuir.org
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Posted by Man at B&Q on June 21, 2011, 8:42 am
On Jun 20, 3:13am, n...@jecarter.us wrote:
> On Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:52:29 +0100, The Other Mike
> >Currently got a remote observation site (wildlife) with no grid fed
> >power nor any prospect of it.
> >Half the site has a few modified 4ft T5's (36W) retrofitted with 12v
> >IOTA Ballasts (2D12-1-32) fed from a lead acid battery charged by a
> >solar panel. The other half of the site has 5ft T5's with magnetic
> >ballasts fed by a Honda EU20i generator which despite being a quiet
> >suitcase model and loads of additional soundproofing is still way too
> >noisy. Near silent operation is essential. Hauling fuel is also a
> >PITA as its a long way from the road.
> >So I need a way of powering the 5ft T5's (58W) from a low voltage DC
> >supply. IOTA only make ballasts up to 40W and they need a circa 50v
> >supply, realistically I need to keep to 12v to keep the solar array
> >price down.
> >So thoughts turned to an inverter fed from an uprated solar array and
> >battery.
> >A cheap modified sine wave inverter (circa 500W capacity) on a 100Ah
> >brand new battery fails to even kick even one 5ft tube into life. The
> >manufacturer says these inverters are not compatible with fluorescent
> >tubes but doesn't elaborate any further.
> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights working off
> >grid?
> >A change of ballast to an electronic type? (all indications are this
> >could won't work?)
> >Moving to a pure sine wave inverter (extremely expensive) ?
> >A different inverter supplier rather than 'one hung lo china inc' ?'
> >A ballast supplier that offers 12v ballasts that will drive a 58W
> >tube?
> >A homebrew 12V fluorescent inverter, running at high frequency that
> >will drive 5ft tubes and costs not a lot? :)
> Since you appear to be in the UK, the first product source below won't
> be much help, but the concept might be an alternative.
> Do you need fluorescent tubes or would LED bulbs be a more efficient
> choice for solar powered illumination?
> The local home/garden center has 120 volt 7.5 watt LED bulbs (lumens
> equivalent to 40 watt incandescent) for $0US each.
More like 30W or less equivalent in a real world comparison.
> Two of these LED bulbs should provide more light than a 5 foot
> fluorescent tube plus provides power savings.
15W LED v. 58W flourescent, not a hope.
MBQ
Posted by m II on June 21, 2011, 12:51 pm
"Man at B&Q" wrote in message
On Jun 20, 3:13 am, n...@jecarter.us wrote:
> On Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:52:29 +0100, The Other Mike
> >Currently got a remote observation site (wildlife) with no grid fed
> >power nor any prospect of it.
> >Half the site has a few modified 4ft T5's (36W) retrofitted with 12v
> >IOTA Ballasts (2D12-1-32) fed from a lead acid battery charged by a
> >solar panel. The other half of the site has 5ft T5's with magnetic
> >ballasts fed by a Honda EU20i generator which despite being a quiet
> >suitcase model and loads of additional soundproofing is still way too
> >noisy. Near silent operation is essential. Hauling fuel is also a
> >PITA as its a long way from the road.
> >So I need a way of powering the 5ft T5's (58W) from a low voltage DC
> >supply. IOTA only make ballasts up to 40W and they need a circa 50v
> >supply, realistically I need to keep to 12v to keep the solar array
> >price down.
> >So thoughts turned to an inverter fed from an uprated solar array and
> >battery.
> >A cheap modified sine wave inverter (circa 500W capacity) on a 100Ah
> >brand new battery fails to even kick even one 5ft tube into life. The
> >manufacturer says these inverters are not compatible with fluorescent
> >tubes but doesn't elaborate any further.
> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights working off
> >grid?
> >A change of ballast to an electronic type? (all indications are this
> >could won't work?)
> >Moving to a pure sine wave inverter (extremely expensive) ?
> >A different inverter supplier rather than 'one hung lo china inc' ?'
> >A ballast supplier that offers 12v ballasts that will drive a 58W
> >tube?
> >A homebrew 12V fluorescent inverter, running at high frequency that
> >will drive 5ft tubes and costs not a lot? :)
> Since you appear to be in the UK, the first product source below won't
> be much help, but the concept might be an alternative.
> Do you need fluorescent tubes or would LED bulbs be a more efficient
> choice for solar powered illumination?
> The local home/garden center has 120 volt 7.5 watt LED bulbs (lumens
> equivalent to 40 watt incandescent) for $0US each.
More like 30W or less equivalent in a real world comparison.
> Two of these LED bulbs should provide more light than a 5 foot
> fluorescent tube plus provides power savings.
15W LED v. 58W flourescent, not a hope.
MBQ
-----------------------
and very bad light colour.
mike
Posted by clare on June 23, 2011, 2:48 am
>"Man at B&Q" wrote in message
>On Jun 20, 3:13 am, n...@jecarter.us wrote:
>> On Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:52:29 +0100, The Other Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >Currently got a remote observation site (wildlife) with no grid fed
>> >power nor any prospect of it.
>>
>> >Half the site has a few modified 4ft T5's (36W) retrofitted with 12v
>> >IOTA Ballasts (2D12-1-32) fed from a lead acid battery charged by a
>> >solar panel. The other half of the site has 5ft T5's with magnetic
>> >ballasts fed by a Honda EU20i generator which despite being a quiet
>> >suitcase model and loads of additional soundproofing is still way too
>> >noisy. Near silent operation is essential. Hauling fuel is also a
>> >PITA as its a long way from the road.
>>
>> >So I need a way of powering the 5ft T5's (58W) from a low voltage DC
>> >supply. IOTA only make ballasts up to 40W and they need a circa 50v
>> >supply, realistically I need to keep to 12v to keep the solar array
>> >price down.
>>
>> >So thoughts turned to an inverter fed from an uprated solar array and
>> >battery.
>>
>> >A cheap modified sine wave inverter (circa 500W capacity) on a 100Ah
>> >brand new battery fails to even kick even one 5ft tube into life. The
>> >manufacturer says these inverters are not compatible with fluorescent
>> >tubes but doesn't elaborate any further.
>>
>> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights working off
>> >grid?
>>
>> >A change of ballast to an electronic type? (all indications are this
>> >could won't work?)
>>
>> >Moving to a pure sine wave inverter (extremely expensive) ?
>>
>> >A different inverter supplier rather than 'one hung lo china inc' ?'
>>
>> >A ballast supplier that offers 12v ballasts that will drive a 58W
>> >tube?
>>
>> >A homebrew 12V fluorescent inverter, running at high frequency that
>> >will drive 5ft tubes and costs not a lot? :)
>>
>> Since you appear to be in the UK, the first product source below won't
>> be much help, but the concept might be an alternative.
>>
>> Do you need fluorescent tubes or would LED bulbs be a more efficient
>> choice for solar powered illumination?
>>
>> The local home/garden center has 120 volt 7.5 watt LED bulbs (lumens
>> equivalent to 40 watt incandescent) for $0US each.
>More like 30W or less equivalent in a real world comparison.
>> Two of these LED bulbs should provide more light than a 5 foot
>> fluorescent tube plus provides power savings.
>15W LED v. 58W flourescent, not a hope.
>MBQ
>-----------------------
>and very bad light colour.
> mike
Depends entirely where you NEED the light. The LED can provide as much
light in a restricted area as the flourescent does - but will NOT
light as large an area to that brightness. So the question is - how
much light do you need and where???
If the light scattered all over by the flourescent is needed - use
flourescent. If it is just wasted (not needed anyway) try the LED
solution.
Posted by Mho on June 23, 2011, 3:25 pm
>"Man at B&Q" wrote in message
>On Jun 20, 3:13 am, n...@jecarter.us wrote:
>> On Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:52:29 +0100, The Other Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >Currently got a remote observation site (wildlife) with no grid fed
>> >power nor any prospect of it.
>>
>> >Half the site has a few modified 4ft T5's (36W) retrofitted with 12v
>> >IOTA Ballasts (2D12-1-32) fed from a lead acid battery charged by a
>> >solar panel. The other half of the site has 5ft T5's with magnetic
>> >ballasts fed by a Honda EU20i generator which despite being a quiet
>> >suitcase model and loads of additional soundproofing is still way too
>> >noisy. Near silent operation is essential. Hauling fuel is also a
>> >PITA as its a long way from the road.
>>
>> >So I need a way of powering the 5ft T5's (58W) from a low voltage DC
>> >supply. IOTA only make ballasts up to 40W and they need a circa 50v
>> >supply, realistically I need to keep to 12v to keep the solar array
>> >price down.
>>
>> >So thoughts turned to an inverter fed from an uprated solar array and
>> >battery.
>>
>> >A cheap modified sine wave inverter (circa 500W capacity) on a 100Ah
>> >brand new battery fails to even kick even one 5ft tube into life. The
>> >manufacturer says these inverters are not compatible with fluorescent
>> >tubes but doesn't elaborate any further.
>>
>> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights working off
>> >grid?
>>
>> >A change of ballast to an electronic type? (all indications are this
>> >could won't work?)
>>
>> >Moving to a pure sine wave inverter (extremely expensive) ?
>>
>> >A different inverter supplier rather than 'one hung lo china inc' ?'
>>
>> >A ballast supplier that offers 12v ballasts that will drive a 58W
>> >tube?
>>
>> >A homebrew 12V fluorescent inverter, running at high frequency that
>> >will drive 5ft tubes and costs not a lot? :)
>>
>> Since you appear to be in the UK, the first product source below won't
>> be much help, but the concept might be an alternative.
>>
>> Do you need fluorescent tubes or would LED bulbs be a more efficient
>> choice for solar powered illumination?
>>
>> The local home/garden center has 120 volt 7.5 watt LED bulbs (lumens
>> equivalent to 40 watt incandescent) for $0US each.
>More like 30W or less equivalent in a real world comparison.
>> Two of these LED bulbs should provide more light than a 5 foot
>> fluorescent tube plus provides power savings.
>15W LED v. 58W flourescent, not a hope.
>MBQ
>-----------------------
>and very bad light colour.
> mike
Depends entirely where you NEED the light. The LED can provide as much
light in a restricted area as the flourescent does - but will NOT
light as large an area to that brightness. So the question is - how
much light do you need and where???
If the light scattered all over by the flourescent is needed - use
flourescent. If it is just wasted (not needed anyway) try the LED
solution.
--------------------
How does distribution affect light colour?
Please re-read and comment appropriately.
mike
XML site map
>>Currently got a remote observation site (wildlife) with no grid fed
>>power nor any prospect of it.
>>
>>Half the site has a few modified 4ft T5's (36W) retrofitted with 12v
>>IOTA Ballasts (2D12-1-32) fed from a lead acid battery charged by a
>>solar panel. The other half of the site has 5ft T5's with magnetic
>>ballasts fed by a Honda EU20i generator which despite being a quiet
>>suitcase model and loads of additional soundproofing is still way too
>>noisy. Near silent operation is essential. Hauling fuel is also a
>>PITA as its a long way from the road.
>>
>>So I need a way of powering the 5ft T5's (58W) from a low voltage DC
>>supply. IOTA only make ballasts up to 40W and they need a circa 50v
>>supply, realistically I need to keep to 12v to keep the solar array
>>price down.
>>
>>So thoughts turned to an inverter fed from an uprated solar array and
>>battery.
>>
>>A cheap modified sine wave inverter (circa 500W capacity) on a 100Ah
>>brand new battery fails to even kick even one 5ft tube into life. The
>>manufacturer says these inverters are not compatible with fluorescent
>>tubes but doesn't elaborate any further.
>>
>>Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights working off
>>grid?
>>
>>A change of ballast to an electronic type? (all indications are this
>>could won't work?)
>>
>>Moving to a pure sine wave inverter (extremely expensive) ?
>>
>>A different inverter supplier rather than 'one hung lo china inc' ?'
>>
>>A ballast supplier that offers 12v ballasts that will drive a 58W
>>tube?
>>
>>A homebrew 12V fluorescent inverter, running at high frequency that
>>will drive 5ft tubes and costs not a lot? :)
>Since you appear to be in the UK, the first product source below won't
>be much help, but the concept might be an alternative.
>Do you need fluorescent tubes or would LED bulbs be a more efficient
>choice for solar powered illumination?
>The local home/garden center has 120 volt 7.5 watt LED bulbs (lumens
>equivalent to 40 watt incandescent) for $0US each. These bulbs work
>with a dimmer, so they are not picky about the power source.
>Two of these LED bulbs should provide more light than a 5 foot
>fluorescent tube plus provides power savings.
>12 volt LED and CFL bulbs are available, but they are usually at
>premium prces: http://www.led-cfl-lighthouse.com/
>John