48 to 12 volt conversion [RE-wrenches]

[Ray Walters]

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Darryl Thayer wrote:

>Change as much as possible the 12 volt halogen lights
>to 12 volt Compact Flourecent.  
>
I'd have to recommend against 12 volt DC compact fluorescents. We have 
seen almost 50% failure rates and quit selling them a few years ago. My 
best assessment is that the low voltage high current ( 2 amps instead of 
0.2 amps) causes the Edison tip of the bulb to heat up if the connection 
isn't perfect. The heat from the ballast combined with the tip heat 
takes out the ballast or in several cases melts the plastic around the 
tip contact. We go to 120 vac CFs as much as possible, even converting 
all  DC lighting circuits over to AC.
120 vac CFs are 4 to 5 times cheaper, much easier to get, much more 
reliable, and use 10 times less current so overheating problems are 
reduced. Add the special DC rated switches needed for 12 vdc circuits 
and all that extra copper, more circuits for fewer lights etc. , I'm 
surprised 12 vdc is so slow to die. Then think about how most 12 v 
lighting systems are combined with 120 vac, and the very real 
possibility of someone taking a 12 v bulb (usually unlabeled) and 
screwing it into a 120 vac fixture.... they can actually blow up 
showering your customer's face with fine glass. I just don't see the 
benefit except for tiny non inverter systems.

Ray Walters

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