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Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 2:10 pm
by Brambles
I want to build a solar lighting system that's as simple as possible, meaning I don't want to use an inverter but I'm not elecrically savvy enough to know what type of lightbulb holder to use.

Can anyone help? It will be a 12V system.

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 6:27 pm
by Mortblanc
Brambles, use your googlefoo skills to investigate 12v LED lighting and also a thing called an LED strip-light or tape-light in 12v.

Over here we can get the LED strips or tape-lights in 12v with 10-20 lights on the strip for around 3# your money.

I am sure you can get them over there and you simply have not run into them in a shop. They are very popular with the kids dressing up their vehicles with odd lighting so you might find them in the automotive department of a large outlet. Almost all of the lighting on new vehicles is LED and it may be easier and cheaper to purchase a few auxiliary lights already in fixtures and ready to attach directly to the 12v battery/wiring. You can get them with only one or two LEDs or with the brightness level of an auto headlamp.

https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Flexible-W ... ight+strip

This is an American link but I am sure you will find the same type systems locally after a little research.

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 6:43 pm
by Yorkshire Andy
What are you planning on using it for bar lighting?

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:26 pm
by Brambles
I'm going to attach it the solar generator I built a while ago, I'd rather not use the inverter though so it's going to run through the charge controller direct from the battery. I also would prefer to have proper lightbulbs rather than strip lights which is why I wanted a bulb holder. I can run other thngs from the generator as well so that's not an issue.

Something like this but all I want is the lights!
81B46pToCOL._SY355_.jpg
81B46pToCOL._SY355_.jpg (24.44 KiB) Viewed 7501 times

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:37 pm
by Yorkshire Andy
IMG_20170702_202613593.jpg
Ahhh you want proper lights ;-)

Well may I present exhibit a

£2 ish from Amazon

If running off a 12v battery a 12v to 5v usb adapter is all you need

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:43 pm
by Yorkshire Andy

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:00 pm
by Brambles
I've already got one of those for camping which is great for camping but not illuminating a living room. :lol: I've already got the battery and panel, I wanted to set up some proper lights permanently. Hence why I just wanted 12V bulb holders. :)

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:13 pm
by Yorkshire Andy
Ahhh with you well

Are you after surface or recess mounting?

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:15 pm
by Brambles
Surface holders or maybe ones that hang at the end of the wire. :)

Re: Solar help needed.

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:21 pm
by Yorkshire Andy