Batteries for lights

[Team Caddyshack]

I want to run my shanty lights off the same type battery that is used in my locator (12V-7.2A). The locator draws about .2A and the lights, one set for shanty draws about 1A and the other set for underwater, draws about 3A...would 1 extra battery handle both sets for 6-8 hours or would I need a battery for each set of lights? "On Paper", it looks like one will do. Weight is an issue otherwise I would haul along my 12V deep cell. Any advice/experience appreciated.

[Tainterslayer]

I think the battery rating is in Amp hours
So 7.2 amp hours means you can have a load of 1 amp going for 7.2 hours before your battery loses a safe voltage.
2 amps for 3.6 hours, 3 amps for 2.4 hours, etc

I don't think your lights would work for the whole day.
What do you have worked out "on paper" ?? Can you use LEDs?? 3 amps at 12 volts have to be some sort of filament style light.

[michianafisherman]

I use lawn and garden tractor batteries. They last longer then the gellcell and not as much trouble.

[Jimbuck]

Yeah, I think you would only end up getting 2.5-3 hours out of a fully juiced battery. You could hook a few batteries up in parallel? As others have suggested, the LED's take next to nothing for energy consumption and really kick out the light. Good luck.

[Team Caddyshack]

The 2 shanty lights are "dome" lights w/16 LED's each and the 2 underwater lights are Fish-N-Lites from Optronics ( can't find the specs on these but seem to think the package said 3A each)

[JimQ]

I want to run my shanty lights off the same type battery that is used in my locator (12V-7.2A).
The locator draws about .2A

the lights, one set for shanty draws about 1A

and the other set for underwater, draws about 3A.

..would 1 extra battery handle both sets for 6-8 hours

If you add up your power requirements, you're consuming 4.2 amp hours.

Your battery is rated at 7.2 amp hours.

7.2/4.2 = 1.7

So you can expect your battery to hold out for about an hour and 45 minutes.

If you want to run 4.2A for 8 hours... 4.2 x 8 = 33.6.  You'll need a battery rated at at least 33.6 Amp hours.

Weight is not such a big issue for me.  I have an Eskimo 350 that I'm in the process of wiring for lights and 12V receptacles.  I've got a 75 amp hour deep cycle batter in a battery box in the sled, I'm adding LED lights under the bench and inside the the compartment under the seat.  I'm also adding 4 12 receptacles to the side of the sled so they are just under the bench seat.  I'll use these for the Vexi and cam.  Fun project so far.

Q

[highsparks]

  I use led strips i get from hong kong ,

http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=178

      They are leds encapsulated in a flexible epoxy .   I have 1-24 cm strip and 2-12 cm strips in my commando .   I have the 24 cm doublestick taped to the top pole which allows me to tie jigs at night .  The two 12 cm strips are taped to the side poles that hold the door up .  I have them shining at the ice .  These light the ground very well.  

   When I first installed them I turned them on hooked to a fully charged 7ah 12 flasher battery . 36 hours later they were still on .  

   In my RTEC 7080 I have two 48 cm strips and have never run a battery dead in a whole weekend of fishing .   I have both wired to a switch mounted in the shack .  But alligator clips would work fine....

[dml78]

Hey Highsparks, Could you post some pics of your light set-up in the cammando. I am going to be getting a cammando soon and want to get some ideas for LED Lighting. Thanks.

[slipperybob]

I use lawn and garden tractor batteries. They last longer then the gellcell and not as much trouble.

I hope these batteries are deep cycle type batteries or dual purpose and not your regular high power type batteries. 

[rgfixit]

Is this the light you have?
If not, post a picture. I can spec batteries for you. Lighting systems are my business

RG

[pikeking]

RG, You could probably tell us how to rebuild a jet engine for a 747!!! You are like a walking repair manual!!! Can you tell me the line diamiter for 50# Tripple Fish Leader material? I was wondering if it will be strong enough to pull a small sheep into my garage???

You are a smart man!!!

[princecraft]

This is how I light up my fishtrap pro.  Works good for me.  The cable goes down to a 7ah flasher battery.  I have never run down the battery. Those lights are LED lights that have 15 LED's in each light.

[Team Caddyshack]

Is this the light you have?
If not, post a picture. I can spec batteries for you. Lighting systems are my business

RG

OK RG...here you go...I've got 2 LED dome lights from Cabelas w/16 lights each (32 total) and 2 Nightblaster UW3000 from Optronics . I do not know the bulb type but e-mailed them in hopes of getting more information. But in the interim...what would be your best guess as the amount of amp draw I am using with these lights? I am hoping a 12V 18A SLA battery will do the trick for 6-8 hours...whats your take? Thanks...M

[rgfixit]

Let me do a bit of research on the Optronics lights. I'll be baaack!
RG

How heavy was that sheep....and there's no need to explain why.

[rgfixit]

OK;
A 300,000 candlepower light could draw as much as 8 amps depending on the length of the cord and quality of the connections.

According to the manufacturers theoretical battery capacity, using 2 -7.2ah batteries at 100% charge,  you would have 14.4ah of available power. Assuming that the appliances  actually draw 4.2 amps total, 80%discharge would occur at 2.3 hours +/-.

To reach an 8 hour, 80% discharge time with that load, you would need at least a 50AH battery.

RG

[pikeking]

Let me do a bit of research on the Optronics lights. I'll be baaack!
RG

How heavy was that sheep....and there's no need to explain why.

Thanks man,,,After the week I had I really needed that laugh. You are a good guy and help everyone out the best you can. I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks, Pikeking

[rgfixit]

Sorry, I didn't read your post closely enough. An 18ah would last 2.9 hours to reach 80% discharge.
RG

[SPARKYICE]

for work, i just ordered 10 batteries for a UPS system that backs up some equipment.
from NEWARK, a 12v 8Ah rechargeable ( about 6x4x2.5") costs $29.43 each.
these have a few special features, a regular battery like this is a few bucks cheaper.

heres a link, they have lots of different kinds.

http://www.newark.com/enersys/npx-35/lead-acid-battery/dp/16C1856

[Team Caddyshack]

Thanks RG...You Da Man...Pikeking was right on but I'd go as far to say you could probably build a nuclear reactor with your eyes closed. Oh,if you would'nt mind, would you PM me your mailing address. Got something for you...not much,but think you'd enjoy...M
OK;
A 300,000 candlepower light could draw as much as 8 amps depending on the length of the cord and quality of the connections.

According to the manufacturers theoretical battery capacity, using 2 -7.2ah batteries at 100% charge,  you would have 14.4ah of available power. Assuming that the appliances  actually draw 4.2 amps total, 80%discharge would occur at 2.3 hours +/-.

To reach an 8 hour, 80% discharge time with that load, you would need at least a 50AH battery.

RG

[rgfixit]

No Problem...happy I can help once in a while. You happened to hit on something I deal with every day in the lighting business. There's lots of misinformation out there.

I still want to know how heavy the sheep is....I love a challenge. 
RG