flatfourfan Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I'm looking at building my own LED lights that run off a 12v DC solar set-up for use in my music room and my garage. As these lights are mainly used during the day I'm looking at making something superbright, but also don't want to reinvent the horse and trailer if there is something out there already. I'm looking at building something that has enough light as 2 x 220v 8 foot light tubes. If I can get about 2000-3000 Lumens, then I'll be happy. I've been thinking of using the 12v dc LED globes from Eurolux x 10 in a housing that would only be about 30 watt pull (kind of like a antique candle chandelier suspended with chains). These globes currently sell for R40 each and a housing is another R30, so a light would cost me about R700 for off the shelf parts that would work on 12v dc. Because I'm a cheapskate and love DIY, is there anything out on the local market where I could make my own lights and that will give the same output. I did find this guy who made what I'm after, but the lights output is a bit low. http://led.hypertriangle.com/lamp/design.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetkit Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Good luck with that, but it looks like a lotta work!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 I'm looking at building my own LED lights that run off a 12v DC solar set-up for use in my music room and my garage. As these lights are mainly used during the day I'm looking at making something superbright, but also don't want to reinvent the horse and trailer if there is something out there already. I'm looking at building something that has enough light as 2 x 220v 8 foot light tubes. If I can get about 2000-3000 Lumens, then I'll be happy. I've been thinking of using the 12v dc LED globes from Eurolux x 10 in a housing that would only be about 30 watt pull (kind of like a antique candle chandelier suspended with chains). These globes currently sell for R40 each and a housing is another R30, so a light would cost me about R700 for off the shelf parts that would work on 12v dc. Because I'm a cheapskate and love DIY, is there anything out on the local market where I could make my own lights and that will give the same output. I did find this guy who made what I'm after, but the lights output is a bit low. http://led.hypertriangle.com/lamp/design.php Get some raw LED globes, heatsinks and LED drivers from places like RS Components, Communica, Mantek Electronics. It may not look as well as the commercial solutions but will be much cheaper. flatfourfan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatfourfan Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 ^^^ Yup. I have my shopping list for Communica and will be hitting it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 ....or buy LED T8 tubes from ACDC Express? The 220V LED T8 tubes are around +/- R250, you get them in 12DC. A 5 foot tube gives about 1900 lumen. These fit in regular florescent housing with the ballast bypassed. Most LED's sold are 12V with 220V transformers simply remove transformer and you have 12V. Some models have build in motion sensors. I replaced all my florescent lights with these. Catalogue - Page 18. http://www.acdc.co.za/downloads/LED%20LIGHTING_Email%20Version.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 ....or buy LED T8 tubes from ACDC Express And do not forget to remove the ballast / AND transformers (if they are still there) because, as I learned, you save nothing on the electricity bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatfourfan Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 ....or buy LED T8 tubes from ACDC Express? The 220V LED T8 tubes are around +/- R250, you get them in 12DC. A 5 foot tube gives about 1900 lumen. These fit in regular florescent housing with the ballast bypassed. Most LED's sold are 12V with 220V transformers simply remove transformer and you have 12V. Some models have build in motion sensors. I replaced all my florescent lights with these. Catalogue - Page 18. http://www.acdc.co.za/downloads/LED%20LIGHTING_Email%20Version.pdf Damn, I never thought to try ACDC express, I was actually thinking of them last week. This actually looks like the best, easiest option. I am probably going to be into it for a bit more though as I have a 6footer base and so I'll have to replace that, but now it gives me a chance to change the lighting layout in the garage to something that works a bit better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatfourfan Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 Well, I had some time this weekend so I decided to try the easier store bought option and went ahead and plastered 7 x 220 lumins 6w led 12 volters to a wood panel and sent it skyhigh. Que banjo's now..............Yes this looks really really REALLY hick, but.........it works. It actually lights up the garage better than my 2 x 8 footer florescence tubes that I have up there. Total pull: 42watts. I was even to cheap to buy the housing for the globes for R30, so eh this was easier. Next step is to actually make a housing for the globes, it'll probably be an old 6 foot case that I have left over from 2 old florescent light fixtures that I kept. I already gutted out the internals as they were shot, but knew that the housings would come in handy someday. Will also fit the standard diffuser. I still have to pull my 12v wiring from my battery into the garage for this room and my music room, so I have time to play around a bit. Total cost......about R320 in globes. Clint 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatfourfan Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 Just thought that I'd update this as it actually went the distance. Came up with something waaaay simpler and way neater. Also more light. The overall idea remained the same though. I built a second DB for the garage and my music room/ tomb and then just started running cables....this is all still 12v. Garage has 8 12v dc 3watt globes, (220 lumins) and the music room has 4, there is also a spot light outside the garage (home made, 4 x 1.5watt strips, as well as above the washing line and both of them are hooked up to a 12v day night switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann1982 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 @flatfourfan I did something similar for a client last week. 10x 5W DC MR16 LED lights, 1x 100ah Cheapie Deepcycle, 20A Charge Controller, 50W panel (Yes, I know the panel is not powerful enough, but the client didn't want to pay more) They only use the system over weekends during day time so it works great. Used 2.5mm bare copper earth wire for the rails. flatfourfan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatfourfan Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 Our garage system is a lot like that, only really gets used a lot during weekends, but sometimes after hours during the week. I have a 120 watt panel that is doing all the house interior lights at night and my security lights on the outside. I do plan on hooking up our whole entertainment area with 12 v lighting too and the swimming pool area. I have a bit of over capacity as you can see...lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxomill Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 sorry for the too late reply I have had good results using 12v 10w flood lights . about 800 lumens also if you want to shine quite far then eurolux sell a I think 3w 220v led gu10 globe that has 3 1w leds in it and I've shone it 20m + cheers flatfourfan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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