Hi,
I am trying to find a supplier of T8 type 12 volt flourescent light fittings for a sensible price. (25mm tube, Ideally 4 ft length)
Alternatively a supplier of 12 Volt ballasts so I can modify existing fittings to suit.
Is there any specialist supplier out there? I haven't found one yet!
David
Sorry "FLUORESCENT". I thought I could spell.
Try
Here's a couple of circuit diagrams if you fancy making your own inverters:
Good contact, thanks!
I reckon I require 40/r2906/12 on this page:
My application is my "carbon neutral" greenhouse.
Am building a new greenhouse at the end of the garden where there is no easy mains power. The Greenhouse itself uses twinwall polycarbonate and is of a design which should give a year - round growing climate.
Over the summer I intend to implement solar lighting (both regular and grow lights), the goal being to eat home grown tomatoes at Christmas.
In deep winter I have a hunch solar won't deliver sufficient energy alone...so imagine some kind of yacht wind turbine will be needed to supplement it.
Looking forward to 9 months of eco-anorakking.
David
Cool white tubes have similar growth boosting effect to grolux, so are an option for regular lighting. Since your power will be expensive and scarce, I assume you'll be using sodium for the growing lighting, probably 35w.
White reflectors can be used to increase light level on the panels to some extent. It is better not to use mirror reflectors as pv panels really dont work at all well with uneven lighting. Any reflector can be used to boost the light level within the greenhouse directly, which of course is the logical first step before the extra expense and inefficiency of PV.
NT
I hadn't even thought of sodium lighting. Presumably high pressure is what's needed.
I note Maplin have a 75W 12V > 240V inverter for 30 quid.
Hmmmmm. New theme for tonights Googling.
David
Expensive. TLC have a 300W one for 25 quid plus VAT.
I don't really understand "carbon neutral" so please forgive me if this is a daft question, but aren't you going to have to plant lots and lots of trees or something to make up for all the energy used and pollution caused by the production of twinwall polycarbonate, photovoltaic panels, and fluorescent light fittings.
Anyway, it's a nice eco-techy idea; a savonious rotor might be better than a turbine?
Owain
Going from distant memory now.... low pressure is higher efficacy, but can only be used to supplement daylight, ie its not effetive once the sun goes down, or indoors. High pressure has lower efficacy but can be used on its own. High pressure is more human friendly than monochrome yellow, but if youre only using the low pressure sodium during the day its not an issue.
ISTR low pressure sodium has very simple ballast requirements, if correct you could probably make a 12v ballast.
Since a solar power supply is expensive and limited, I'd opt for low pressure sodium if you can use it only during daylight.
But first, have you put reflective foil on the north facing side to double the direct sun during winter days? Must be rolled up for summer of course, or you'll have barbecued tomatoes. Putting it on a frame outside the greenhouse would be even better, since you'll get the northern sky light as well.
NT
Of course there is some initial environmental cost in the materials used, but that's unavoidable even with a bicycle. My idea is:
BTW the greenhouse itself is one of these:
solar panel use more energy in the production than they ever will produce in the lifetime of the cells it might be zero energy for you but its still a negative for the planet
It occurred to me that your proposed lighting system would be converting sunlight into electricity, using an expensive panel, storing it in expensive batteries, running it through a ballast and a lamp, all of which are less than 100% efficient and cost money. If you simply let that incoming light fall on the plants direct instead, it would cost way less and achieve way more light. So a physical reflector seems to make much more sense than any electronic system.
External reflectors could get you that light with a budget in 2 figures.
NT
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