ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area desperately needing help guys

I want to use 8 x 5 foot (58w) fluoresant lights to illuminate my advertising truck.

I am not an electrician and know nothing what so ever about it and have been getting all sorts of advise and was wondering if someone here can help me.

I want to supply the power for these fluoresants from the vehicles
battery/alternator - I have been told I can get a 12 volt inverter and replace the inverter that is supplied with the household fitting and it should all work from the battery from the vehicle - I was also told I may need to upgrade the alternator, is this correct guys?

I really would appreciate any advise on this before I start this job.

Many Thanks in anticipation

dodger

dodger, posters here would need the ##'s to do the math..i.e.~ # of lights , and voltage

Save yourself the headache and buy a gas powered generator.

I have infact just had one of my trucks fitted with fluoresants supplied by a Honda petrol generator - that followed a failure with a dc to ac 1000w inverter which was not any good, I just thought it would be a less cost effective way of converting my other trucks plus it would be less hassle.

Is the generator the way to go guys - What do you think?

dodger

hey mate,

dont bother with an alternator/inverter,

to much $$$,

get a gen set its cheaper in the long run.

cheers and good luck.

also get a certified electrical contractor to check out the installation BEFORE you connect it to an electrical supply.

Safety first, because even if it supplied from a gen set it can still kill you.