On Oct 20, 2:52*pm, T i m wrote:
On Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:07:23 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

12V inverted up to ~600V or regulated down to 5 etc?

Every change of voltage loses energy, so 12v will be most efficienct.

That's what I was thinking but whilst I could probably (nearly) run
LED's directly from 12V DC (ie, no regulation wastage?) don't these
CFL's have inverters in them anyway?

Yes, but of a different type to the one's you'd use externally. Ever
voltage conversion step loses energy, so the less steps you add the
better from an effieicncy POV. Of course most efficient isn't always
cheapest - 240v CFLs cost less than 12v ones.


Tesco microspirals are efficient and cheap.

I don't suppose they are available in 12V though? :-(

I guess not


High CCT lamps are
slightly more efficient, but the light quality's nasty.

As long as they illuminate the area efficiently I'm not fussy. ;-)

ok


While you could run a 5 footer at 240v, it would take a real long time
to replenish the energy used at just 5w.

Understood.

Then again if you only use it occasionally, and you've got more than
one 5w panel and a battery big enough to supply it for as long as you
use it, it would be ok. If.


TBH though I'd not overlook gas lighting. Its way more reliable than
solar electric, needs no installation, gives sensible output levels.

Hmm, not sure about that (gas) .. sounds like the recipe for an
instant sun roof on my workshop!

ha - they do produce a lot of heat.


p.s. Sorry but I'm getting old and my memory is failing fast ... did
we meet up once, solar panels and generators etc?

Sorry, I've not been to any of the ukdiy meets yet, so I dont think
so. Been to other events though, if that's what you mean.


NT