12V Garden Lighting

[Dan The Man]

I am looking to install some 12V garden lights, I want to connect them up to a 12V battery and just let them run out the charge, instead of through a transformer, assuming I might get an a couple of hours out of it, and then switch to another charged battery the next day.

In theory I think this should work, has anyone tried this?

The reason for this is to avoid having to go outside and unplug the transformer in the evening, instead having the batteries in the shed.

 

[burmo]

If you run out the charge on a lead acid battery it will be ruined as their chemistry doesn't like this. Much better would be to have a simple plug in timer for the transformer?

 

[Leo]

Deep-cycle lead acid batteries are designed to be frequently deeply discharged.

You could attach a solar panel and charger to the battery to maintain it. Put the panel on the roof shed.

 

[burmo]

Deep-cycle lead acid batteries are designed to be frequently deeply discharged.

You could attach a solar panel and charger to the battery to maintain it. Put the panel on the roof shed.

Yes, they are but even they need to be stopped at 20% of design capacity to prevent a very short life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_cycle_battery So the lights would need a low voltage disconnect to protect the battery.

Of course, it depends on the goal. Dan's stated goal is to avoid having to turn them off so there are many cheaper more efficient ways to achieve it than batteries.

 

[dubgem]

You could just buy solar powered lights, they will charge themselves during the day and run down their charge at night, then recharge the next day, etc

 

[Dan The Man]

Thanks for the feedback folks, food for thought.

I was never a fan of the solar lights as I was never convinced that there was sufficient light emitting from them, I want to use the lights as spotlights against plants, so I am now sure if the solars are strong enough for it.