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apeterson
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2013 09:49am
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what is the best lighting solution for a 8x16 room using 12 volt florescent or LED lights. Does not need to be super bright but I would like to be able to read/play cards with the amount of light.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2013 12:55pm
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One can purchase 12 V compact fluorescent bulbs that screw into a regular light socket/fixture. Two bulbs easily light my 14 x 24 cabin. Can be found online or at RV stores.
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rayyy
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# Posted: 7 Sep 2013 06:26pm
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/E27-B22-12W-LED-Corn-Light-Bulb-Spot-201-LEDs-Energy-Saver-80 W-Incandescent-Lamp-/370785944060?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&var=&hash=item56549081fc
I know these LED corn lightbulbs are insanely expensive but they give you the best light.They don't get hot or yellow and dim with age or burn out like a CFL bulb.I get the E27 base which is a standard light bulb base in the warm white tint.Not the bright white.12 volt DC.This does simulate a 80 watt incandescent bulb nicely.You just buy yourself a standard 110 volt light fixture that you like from any lighting store and wire it up to your 12 volt battery system.
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razmichael
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# Posted: 7 Sep 2013 08:03pm
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Like Rayyy I use LED bulbs with e27 base so lots of fixtures available at cheap prices. The price has come down a lot and depending on the wattage you need they can be $10 or less. When I got mine on ebay a couple of years ago it was 10 of them (6 watts) for about $110. Here is one example (quick search only) Bulb. Need to look for free shipping options etc.
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apeterson
Member
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# Posted: 8 Sep 2013 12:53pm
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Thanks guys!! I will look at these
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creeky
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2013 03:30pm
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you could also look at RV fixtures. they use an 1157 base. i used the led auto lights in my old trailer. they provide lots of light for reading/games etc and they were around 6-10 bucks.
the bluer light bulbs i found a bit harsh. used them for hallways / outdoors.
the warmer light bulbs were excellent for reading/washroom etc.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2013 04:59pm
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I might take another look at the 12 volt LED bulbs once my fluorescent bulbs give up... Looks like some of the newer 12 volt LED bulbs are a bit more efficient (lumen/amp) and cost effective than just a few years ago.
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davey25
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2013 09:12pm
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Can you use those led strips with the transformers for 120v and just splice in and not use the transformer
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skootamattaschmidty
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2013 11:37am - Edited by: skootamattaschmidty
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There is another thread on here about 12 volt LED lighting. Search this link. http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/3_985_0.html.
Lots of great ideas on there. TomChum had some great ideas and placed some of the bulbs in old lanterns and looks really sharp. I used 12v led spotlights and bought the sockets at Canadian Tire and placed them in a cedar log. I am very impressed with the light they throw off. The bulbs are not cheap (about $20) but they use very little power and last a long time.
Here is another link from this forum http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/3_1568_0.html
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razmichael
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2013 12:25pm - Edited by: razmichael
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Quoting: davey25 Can you use those led strips with the transformers for 120v and just splice in and not use the transformer
Many of the kits are set up 12 volts with the 120AC to 12DC adapter. Costco often has the packages but you are paying for the adapter (I found an open package once and checked that the adapter was 12V).
Lee Valley carries a "RibbonFlex" system where you can buy the ribbons (various densities of LED) with or without any adapters. I'm considering getting some for under the counter. Lots of other sources.
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GomerPile
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2013 01:00pm
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Here is a blog post I wrote on converting AC LED lights to run off DC:
http://tinyhomebuilding.com/2013/06/18/converting-ac-led-lights-to-dc/
You will find that some LED lights are driven by a small box that converts AC power into a constant current DC. You basically rip off the box and replace it with a 12V DC constant current box and you have really nice lights that run from DC.
Some fixtures do not have a separate driver box...its built into the light somehow. You will need to open the fixture in the store and figure out how easy it will be to swap the driver.
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