48 to 12 volt conversion [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

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In my experience over the years, the consistently best low voltage DC CFs
are made by Montana Light.
Allan at Positive E

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Clearwater" <clrwater at earthlink.net>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 7:17 PM
Subject: Re: 48 to 12 volt conversion [RE-wrenches]


> Hey Ray and all,
>
> I just wanted to make sure that before we threw 12 V CFs out forever
> based on Ray's assessment that we note that you did say you stopped
> selling them a couple of years ago - no doubt on your experience then
> but perhaps they have improved since then?  2 Amps shouldn't cause
> much heat on the contacts involved.  AEESolar sells a series of 12V
> CFs with a two-year warranty and claim 6000 hours.   Anyone have
> experience with the latest ones from AEESolar or elsewhere?
>
> Jeff C.
> Village Power Design
>
>
> >>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.
>
> -- 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Jeff Clearwater
> Village Power Design Associates
> Sustainable Energy & Water Solutions for Home & Village
> http://www.villagepower.com
> gosolar at villagepower.com
>
> 530-470-9166
> 877-SOLARVillage
> 877-765-2784
> 425 Nimrod St.
> Nevada City, CA 95959
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~
>

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