led shop lighting ?

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I am trying to go off grid. I have an old oilfield trailer and a "converted to storage" school-bus that I'm wanting to use as a shop. I have a generator but I want to use solar. I picked up 1/2 dozen 7-watt solar panels and have a 12V 1400 Amp-hour battery to use to power some lights. I'm thinking of getting strip led lights and wiring direct to the battery with a switch in one leg. I found this on ebay;

5M 16ft 5630 SMD Waterproof 300 LEDs Flexible Light LED Sticky Strip 12V SN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-16ft-5630-SMD-Waterproof-300-LEDs-Flexible-Light-LED-Sticky-Strip-12V-SN/111460012083?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=25805&meid=d9245f03bbea45039bd487cb29219d58&pid=100011&prg=10778&rk=7&rkt=10&sd=181553483820

and they seem to go for about $10.00. Will 3 or 4 of these provide enough light to stumble around without bonking my head too much?
Thanks,

Richard

 

[RangerSVT]

Pretty sure it will. I was thinking of trying harbor freight's 60 led solar powered security light. It has a self contained battery backup. I was going to get a few of them and wire them through a switch...

SVT

 

[RonD]

No, probably not enough light, they are for decoration more than "lighting an area"

These would be better for lighting an area: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/12-volt-led-lights-rv
And cheaper

 

[Bronco638]

I converted two florescent fixtures to LED. It's a snap. Remove the ballast and wiring for the ballast. Wire one end of the fixture to be Hot and the other end to be Neutral (even though there are two wires at each end of the fixture, only one wire is needed. Be sure to cap the unused wires with a wire nut or electrical tape or both). They are clearly brighter than the florescent bulbs (I have one LED fixture and florescent fixture in the garage - I'm waiting for the tubes or ballast to go to convert it).

The fixture over my work bench, in the basement, only uses one LED. Again, way brighter than florescent.

The killer is the cost of the bulbs, ~$50/each (or, at least they were when I bought them).

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I converted two florescent fixtures to LED. It's a snap. Remove the ballast and wiring for the ballast. Wire one end of the fixture to be Hot and the other end to be Neutral (even though there are two wires at each end of the fixture, only one wire is needed. Be sure to cap the unused wires with a wire nut or electrical tape or both). They are clearly brighter than the florescent bulbs (I have one LED fixture and florescent fixture in the garage - I'm waiting for the tubes or ballast to go to convert it).

The fixture over my work bench, in the basement, only uses one LED. Again, way brighter than florescent.

The killer is the cost of the bulbs, ~$50/each (or, at least they were when I bought them).

That sounds like it would be 120 Volt. I'm looking for 12 Volt. But if you have a link or more specific info that would be great.
Thanks,

Richard

 

[Bronco638]

That sounds like it would be 120 Volt. I'm looking for 12 Volt. But if you have a link or more specific info that would be great.
Thanks,

Richard

You're right, those are 120VAC, sorry.

How about something like this:

You can find that and more like it @ Super Brite LEDs: LINK

 

[kunar]

Harbor freight has motion activated LED flood lights with a small rechargeable battery and a solar panel. They come in a kit together for like $30. I've thought about putting one in the shed (the panel is remote-mountable) might be something worth looking into

 

[RangerSVT]

Pretty sure it will. I was thinking of trying harbor freight's 60 led solar powered security light. It has a self contained battery backup. I was going to get a few of them and wire them through a switch...

SVT

Harbor freight has motion activated LED flood lights with a small rechargeable battery and a solar panel. They come in a kit together for like $30. I've thought about putting one in the shed (the panel is remote-mountable) might be something worth looking into

This is the same one i was talking about. There's a 60 led and i think a 36 led. The 36 led i looked at and tested and didnt really seem that bright, but the battery could have been weak too...

SVT

 

[kunar]

This is the same one i was talking about. There's a 60 led and i think a 36 led. The 36 led i looked at and tested and didnt really seem that bright, but the battery could have been weak too...

SVT

Lol that's what I get for skimming the thread while I'm at work. I'll have to remember that too, I'll probably spring for the 60 led. Just lookin for enough light to stumble around in the shed if I've gotta grab something after dark...

 

[88workcar]

We put the 12vdc strips under the gunnels in our boats, It is plenty of light.

 

[91stranger]

Those harbor freight motion lights work really well. I haven't tried the newest one but I have the $30 one (not the cheaper of the two) and it works everyday in my yard. Have had it for a few years now with no real issues. Every once in a while the lights are dim if it has been cloudy or raining for a few days. Pretty low maintenance too. I actually bought a second one for the other part of my yard. Want to get the new one they have now. I think HF has a solar shed light that has a pull string to turn it on. That would be good for you.