Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping and Caravanning Equipment
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: 12v Lighting from Car Battery Post Reply Post New Topic
05/7/2008 at 2:17pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 7
View mr_b_ugs's Profile View Profile   Reply to mr_b_ugs Reply   Quote mr_b_ugs Quote  
Joined: 15/6/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   69
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I realise this is not an easy question to answer, however, what are people's experiences using 12v lights powered straight off the car? I'm not planning to do a lot of driving and, to the best of my knowledge, the car battery is in good shape. Therefore... should I be concerned about running the car battery flat over a few days without driving?


05/7/2008 at 3:18pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bernie47's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bernie47 Reply   Quote Bernie47 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5533
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

A few hours use of a tent light can be enough to cause starting difficulties.

What I do is to carry a small spare battery for lighting, phone charging etc. when I am not on EHU.  The battery I use is one for a Fiesta, about the smallest car battery available, and it cost me less than £20.  This battery also has flat bolt-on terminals instead of the usual posts, making it easier to connect to, and I can charge it from the car if necessary.



-------------
Bernie


05/7/2008 at 3:26pm
 Location: Herefordshire
 Outfit: pennine pathfinder 2003
View Jan P's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jan P Reply   Quote Jan P Quote  
Joined: 22/6/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9917

Site Reviews Total: 29
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

We used to do it with the frame tent. We usually tried to park at the top of the hill to help jump start it in the morning. ! Get an old car battery and run the lights off that.

-------------
Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.


05/7/2008 at 3:36pm
 Location: Chickerell dorset
 Outfit: Starcamper 3 and relum 2 berth frame t
View kimola's Profile View Profile   Reply to kimola Reply   Quote kimola Quote  
Joined: 19/6/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   3
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I use a 12 amp hour mobility scooter battery for lighting ...its only 6 inches by 4 inches and will run an 8 watt strip light for well over 24 hours on a full charge...thats 6 days at 4 hours per evening ...i used the car battery once a long time ago but never again as i had to be pushed to get the car started...along with all the women driver jokes from the men...

 

kim



-------------
Be nice to each other ..and make the world a better place.


05/7/2008 at 3:48pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bernie47's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bernie47 Reply   Quote Bernie47 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5533
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by kimola on 05/7/2008
I use a 12 amp hour mobility scooter battery for lighting ...its only 6 inches by 4 inches and will run an 8 watt strip light for well over 24 hours on a full charge...

That cannot be correct, 8 watts for 24 hours is 16 amp hours, more than the capacity of your battery.



-------------
Bernie


Advertisement



05/7/2008 at 4:12pm
 Location: Chickerell dorset
 Outfit: Starcamper 3 and relum 2 berth frame t
View kimola's Profile View Profile   Reply to kimola Reply   Quote kimola Quote  
Joined: 19/6/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   3
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

hi bernie

I am told that mobility scooter batterys produce 12 amp hours at 80% of the charge but i cook mine to 100% so it must store more than it says on the battery ....not sure how it works but it does..

kim



-------------
Be nice to each other ..and make the world a better place.


05/7/2008 at 9:21pm
 Location: lancashire
 Outfit: renault kangoo camper
View graham5's Profile View Profile   Reply to graham5 Reply   Quote graham5 Quote  
Joined: 08/3/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

 Hi,  i dont know if this is any use to you, 

        i bought a new car battery then found out it wasnt the battery, so i  use it for camping, i bought from the pound shop ( cigarette lighter attachment, two car torches that plug into lighter,)  i plug them up to the spare car battery run the two lights all night for my son ( his scared of the dark ) ran these for three nights no problem.

      ive now bought dvd player that plugs in, second hand portable tv, adapter for my laptop, we love our camping and havent needed electric hook up yet.( but we only camp long weekends) i always carry masking tape too.



-------------
GS


07/7/2008 at 9:07pm
 Location: nottingham
 Outfit: Grand Canyon 8 Pennine Fiesta
View corpogreen's Profile View Profile   Reply to corpogreen Reply   Quote corpogreen Quote  
Joined: 18/3/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1666

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I bought a gadget for £9.99 from maplins that stops any power unit you use from taking all juice out of your battery, it leaves you enough to start your car.. Don't know what they call it but it works.

-------------
      Corpogreen esq
          dead horse
               and
       donkey buyer
    
      
      


08/7/2008 at 7:05am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Khyam XL Excelsior 2007
View Sam Coleridge's Profile View Profile   Reply to Sam Coleridge Reply   Quote Sam Coleridge Quote  
Joined: 08/9/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   427

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 05/7/2008
Quote: Originally posted by kimola on 05/7/2008I use a 12 amp hour mobility scooter battery for lighting ...its only 6 inches by 4 inches and will run an 8 watt strip light for well over 24 hours on a full charge...

That cannot be correct, 8 watts for 24 hours is 16 amp hours, more than the capacity of your battery.


I've found when experimenting with battery-powered fluorescent lighting, that they're generally under-run - by as much as 50 percent - perhaps to compensate for the strain on the tubes from the lack of soft-start provided by the very crude electronic ballasts, (lamps usually being soldered-in - but it seems excessive.

So 8 watt singles usually 4 watt, 16 watt doubles, 8 watt.







Post last edited on 08/07/2008 07:33:15


08/7/2008 at 7:47am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Tents: PHACT X3 & Outwell Norfolk Lake
View tigang's Profile View Profile   Reply to tigang Reply   Quote tigang Quote  
Joined: 25/4/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   661
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Unlike 'leisure' batteries used on caravans etc. car batteries do not like being discharged. They are designed to be a buffer to provide power to start the car (starter motor, electric fuel pump, spark/glow plugs etc.) and once the car is started the alternator does all the work.

Leisure batteries are designed to be used like you would any other rechargeable battery, including being almost flattened and then charged up again, but they aren't so good at the heavy starting currents required to get a car going.

Using your car battery to power stuff WILL shorten its life or kill it if you flatten it completely.

-------------
Please do not adjust your mind... there is a fault in reality


Advertisement



08/7/2008 at 10:21am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Steve McV's Profile View Profile   Reply to Steve McV Reply   Quote Steve McV Quote  
Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2582

Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

A cheaper & safer option is to buy a rechargeable lamp.  You can charge them up from your lighter socket during the day, or from the mains.  Much safer than flattening your car battery.  Don't rely on parking up a hill.  Bump starting can cause the timing belt to "jump" a tooth & wreck your engine.

One of these would do the job.  Think I'll get one myself at that price!



-------------
Steve.


28/6/2023 at 1:23pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Zempire Aero TL Pro
View smithy099's Profile View Profile   Reply to smithy099 Reply   Quote smithy099 Quote  
Joined: 09/7/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   2
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hmmmm, Pay less heed to the scare mongers! I use a single LED array light in my tent, I used to have a 12v fluorescent one but one of the tubes went, this one is brighter and uses less power. I got it on Ebay and separately bought a remote control switch unit for it. The whole lot was about £15. that was in 2016 though. The remote control is really handy. I also use a few USB ports, the whole lot is all hooked up my VW Caddy Life car battery. I've been doing that for years now, sometimes staying for 3 weeks but usually two. The main array light is bright enough on half power for general use in our large dark Zempire tent. Sometimes I might go as long as three days without running the car, but I do keep my eye on it, I've never had a problem. Never yet have I driven off while still connected!!! I replaced the car battery this year but subsequently found there's nothing wrong with the old one, so I'm taking the old battery as a power source, I'll see how long it lasts. Its a hefty battery and I wouldn't be surprised if it lasts right through. When or if it goes dead I'll revert to hooking up to the car. On my old car, a VW Golf estate 2.0 diesel, we went at least ten years, usually twice a year for either 2 or 3 weeks at a time using the car as a battery hook up. My wife charged her iPad mini over night and we both charged our mobiles and used a 12v fluorescent in the tent. The battery was still good when I sold the car. I'm 66 and I've camped in pretty much every year of my life. I got the hookup idea from my dad, he used a tent light hooked up to the car battery (1966 Humber Super Snipe) in the old 8 birth frame tent, it had a 12v incandescent bulb in it, it was about as good as a candle in an aircraft hanger! How we've progressed! My leads are home made, they're about 10m long, have a 16 amp in line fuse and croc clips on them and a cig socket at the tent end where I plug in an adapter which gives two or three more cig sockets and two usb ports, one of which has a spitter in it to give me three usb ports. Its worked like that for a good 15 years.

-------------
If you can keep your head while all around are losing theirs. You're probably not aware of the storm that's about to hit!


via mobile 28/6/2023 at 2:18pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I think the op will have sorted it by now as his post was 15 years ago and he never came back to thank the people that gave their advice.

Tina



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














4056 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder