Running CFLs on a 12v? - Cannabis Growing Outdoors - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

plantingplants · 02-25-2017, 09:15 PM

I'm going to plug my pots in early April but I am running some clones. How can I run a string of CFLs off a 12v? Do i just buy a car inverter and plug them in?

I was even thinking of making mini hoophouses for each pot (or hillmizer mentioned using remesh cage for support then wrapping that) and then burning one lightbulb for each pot for 1-2 hrs at dusk would give it a little extra warmth for the night.

Or are there any quiet 1000w generators around $200 or 300? I dont really have any other use for it so wouldnt want to spend too much.

growingcrazy · 02-25-2017, 10:24 PM

I would go solar with batteries and an inverter like you mention. Also run LED bulbs since they are more efficient.

Honda also makes a very quiet generator if you want to go that route.

plantingplants · 02-26-2017, 01:15 AM

That is sounding expensive. I will have to price it out. Thanks for the input!

plantingplants · 03-02-2017, 06:49 PM

I can just charge the battery in the house so don't need solar.

I found a calculator for how many Ah your battery needs. Looks like I will need at least two batteries andinverters.

And apparently 12v cfls exist but they are expensive. Still need to look up LEDs which i believe easily run on DC. Not sure how many lumens to keep the girls awake though.

Wolfshadoe · 03-07-2017, 02:32 PM

You wanting to prevent flowering?

They got pretty cheap LEDs that spike right into ground that are solar.,,They give out of light bout 12- 1 am.. Never tried it though,but I bet it would work.
Good luck.
<ws>

jtk707 · 03-07-2017, 04:36 PM

Definitely go with led if you can . They make cheap LED rope lights you can get them at Harbor Freight . You can probably run 10 Led screw in type bulbs for every one CFL bulb .

plantingplants · 03-07-2017, 06:17 PM

I tried that calculator again and found that all i needto run thirty 13Ws is 400w, and a 100-200 ah 12v can run that for an 1-2 hrs. Sucks I would have to charge it every day. Just seems like they wouldnt need that much power...

I would rather do CFLs for the warmth. Actually I wonder if incandescents would work...

Btw those $10 solar walmar light spikes didnt work to keep them in veg for me.

jtk707 · 03-07-2017, 08:11 PM

Cfls will provide warmth . I would set it up so one battery is charging while the other is running the lights . Also for under $50 you can get a solar panel that would provide a decent charge on a sunny day . Good luck and keep us posted on how it works out good luck and keep us posted on how it works out

02-25-2017, 09:15 PM	#1
plantingplants Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,394	Running CFLs on a 12v? I'm going to plug my pots in early April but I am running some clones. How can I run a string of CFLs off a 12v? Do i just buy a car inverter and plug them in? I was even thinking of making mini hoophouses for each pot (or hillmizer mentioned using remesh cage for support then wrapping that) and then burning one lightbulb for each pot for 1-2 hrs at dusk would give it a little extra warmth for the night. Or are there any quiet 1000w generators around $200 or 300? I dont really have any other use for it so wouldnt want to spend too much.
	Quote

02-25-2017, 10:24 PM	#2
growingcrazy Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Michigans sunset coast Posts: 771	I would go solar with batteries and an inverter like you mention. Also run LED bulbs since they are more efficient. Honda also makes a very quiet generator if you want to go that route.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

02-26-2017, 01:15 AM	#3
plantingplants Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,394	That is sounding expensive. I will have to price it out. Thanks for the input!
	Quote

03-02-2017, 06:49 PM	#4
plantingplants Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,394	I can just charge the battery in the house so don't need solar. I found a calculator for how many Ah your battery needs. Looks like I will need at least two batteries andinverters. And apparently 12v cfls exist but they are expensive. Still need to look up LEDs which i believe easily run on DC. Not sure how many lumens to keep the girls awake though.
	Quote

03-07-2017, 02:32 PM	#5
Wolfshadoe Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: In a florida swamp... Posts: 260	You wanting to prevent flowering? They got pretty cheap LEDs that spike right into ground that are solar.,,They give out of light bout 12- 1 am.. Never tried it though,but I bet it would work. Good luck. <ws> __________________ I made that life. Im PAID in full!! DONT TREAD ON ME! IC.member#214 https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread....ght=wolfshadow
	Quote

03-07-2017, 04:36 PM	#6
jtk707 Califonia Love Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 506	Definitely go with led if you can . They make cheap LED rope lights you can get them at Harbor Freight . You can probably run 10 Led screw in type bulbs for every one CFL bulb . __________________ If you want it to rain .... Hang some buds up to dry If you want it to be windy .... Try to setup a greenhouse
	Quote

03-07-2017, 06:17 PM	#7
plantingplants Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,394	I tried that calculator again and found that all i needto run thirty 13Ws is 400w, and a 100-200 ah 12v can run that for an 1-2 hrs. Sucks I would have to charge it every day. Just seems like they wouldnt need that much power... I would rather do CFLs for the warmth. Actually I wonder if incandescents would work... Btw those $10 solar walmar light spikes didnt work to keep them in veg for me.
	Quote

03-07-2017, 08:11 PM	#8
jtk707 Califonia Love Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 506	Cfls will provide warmth . I would set it up so one battery is charging while the other is running the lights . Also for under $50 you can get a solar panel that would provide a decent charge on a sunny day . Good luck and keep us posted on how it works out good luck and keep us posted on how it works out
	Quote