Running CFLs on a 12v?

[plantingplants]

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]

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]

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

 

[plantingplants]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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