RE: Fluorescent Lights

[ThunderRock]

 I know.....I posted a bit on the " old board"  about this & a lttle bit on IRV2, but - I know the value of flourescent lights inside the trailer, but as for rigging it up, I don t know the " theory"  of it.
 
 Can someone tell me after I ve got the light wired up to plug into a 1/4"  jack (using a mono jack), how will the light react to just being plugged into a 12-volt receptacle? IOW, will this 110v flourescent light work off my " dry camping"  12-volt battery connection?
 I am clueless & won t try this until someone sheds the light (no pun intended) on this subject for me.
 BTW, it s OK to e-mail me if your explanation may take up more space than Dave allows.

[Tim5055]

 ThunderRock
You can t use a 110v AC flourescent, you need a 12v DC one.  Auto supply stores sell the tubular " under hood"  style that you could add the 1/4"  plug to.  Usually you will find these with clips to attach to the car battery on the cord.

[ThunderRock]

 tim5055
They look a little tacky...but yes, I guess I could use them.
 
 I may be a little picky here, but, some of the gang have real nice looking fixtures on their websites.  [8D] Guess I m just taken aback by some of these.

[Tim5055]

 ThunderRock
You can buy RV style lights.  
 
 I bought the one Dave had on the store for a while, but he has had problems with the distributor.
 
 Take a look  [link=http://www.title-3.com/FluorescentLight.htm]12 Volt Fluorescent Light Fixture [/link]

[ThunderRock]

 tim5055
As usual, tim5055 comes through w/pics & all the " stuff" . Appreciate the info.
 
 Thanks again for making the trip worthwhile!  []

[Gone-Camping]

 ThunderRock
Your local RV dealer will have several different 12vdc flourescent lights, most of them flat, and if you have enough room, could possibly be hard mounted to the ceiling. I use an automotive type because it s big and provides a lot of light, easy to set-up and take-down, plus it s easy to store for travel. I don t have enough room up there to hard mount mine.

[ThunderRock]

 Gone-Camping
Good thought Cliff. I will probably mount them w/velcro IO to move them where I need them.
 Thanks for your info (over there) & over here!!  []

[MtnCamper]

 ThunderRock
There was also a guy on the old site, who had built a light with a switch from 110 to 12V. He bought a circuit board type inverter (20w?) from www.canakit.com/ then wired it in. I have a friend at work who bought one of these, they come in pieces, you ve got to build the board. But it was small enough to go inside of the standard fluorescent fixture, that you buy from Home Depot or wherever.
 I have looked around, and I m going to get one like Cliff has. Advanced Atuo parts have has them for $20. Then just clip the clips off and add a plug. Haven t decided how to hang it yet. But I will.
 

[ThunderRock]

 MtnCamper
Thanks for that other thought, Gary!

[ForestCreature]

 ThunderRock
[font=" Papyrus" ] Question about those florescent lights........
 I have been thinking about changing the lights in the Aliner to flourescent.
 If I were to do so , my concern is the weight. Our ceiling is styrofoam.
 How heavy are they compared to the regular pop up lights? I think I would have to glue them in place...Screws and all[/font]

[Tim5055]

 ForestCreature

 

ORIGINAL:  ForestCreature
 
 [font=" Papyrus" ] Question about those florescent lights........
 I have been thinking about changing the lights in the Aliner to flourescent.
 If I were to do so , my concern is the weight. Our ceiling is styrofoam.
 How heavy are they compared to the regular pop up lights? I think I would have to glue them in place...Screws and all[/font]
 

 Marcy, they weigh no more than the stock lights.  I don t think it should be a concern for you.
 

[ForestCreature]

 tim5055
[font=" Papyrus" ]WOW Tim,
 You are fast!!  thanks, I hadn t seen the lights in real life yet. [/font]

[mike4947]

 ForestCreature
Marcy, I ve used several sized Flourescents and all I ve ever held them up with is a couple of inches of velcro, so I could move them around the PU where we needed the light. That and I used a coiled cord to keep it from drooping down and hanging someone.[]

[Diplomat]

 ThunderRock
I also keep thinking about switching to flourescent lights.  I would really like to have one over the sink!  Here is a company who carries them that I keep looking at: http://www.commandelectronics.com/fluorescent-lights.html  BTW they also carry the combo bunk end fan/lights.

[ForestCreature]

 ThunderRock

Marcy, I ve used several sized Flourescents and all I ve ever held them up with is a couple of inches of velcro, so I could move them around the PU where we needed the light. That and I used a coiled cord to keep it from drooping down and hanging someone.          

 [font=" Papyrus" ]Mike that s a great idea. But the Aliner is kind of small, so fixed lighting isn t a problem. We have a light on both roof angles, and rarely use them both at the same time.[/font]