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Backup lighting project for basement operational

J

JJJJ

Aspiring apprentice
Joined
Feb 25, 2021
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1,592
OK. There are plenty of 12v lighting systems available and emergency lightning systems that are used to mark exits in buildings. That got me thinking.

So in the process of building DIY batteries I find myself with a number of cells that work but due to aging, resistance, etc are not well suited for higher demand usage. I debated what to do with these when I considered throwing together a couple of 12v packs with the left overs.

Here is a photo of a pack that is in process. I am waiting on a couple of components and need to drill holes for the BMS. It is a basic pack from Shenzhen Luyuan Technology Co., Ltd. I know there are some higher end units out there but for $35 give or take for shipping, etc I decided to take the plunge. This photo shows some raceway that I sourced for my portable build and was sitting on a shelf collecting dust. It will serve as side supports for the batteries while protecting the BMS and allowing for air flow as well as holding the BMS leads. Naturally I will need to center the middle raceway better and trim the other two but you get the idea.

IMG_4653.jpeg
 
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So I utilize a basement type LED lighting system. These are the two bank 48 inch variety. I will be utilizing these in the build. Here is a Kill A Watt reading for one of them:

IMG_4654.jpeg
 
So the thinking is to run a low power inverter to run these from the battery. Something like this is a consideration. I may opt to purchase one which delivers a bit more power but this is for illustration purposes:

www.donrowe.com

Samlex SAM-800-12 800W, 12V Modified Sine Inverter | DonRowe.com

The Samlex SAM-800-12, 800 Watt Modified Sine Wave Power Inverter provides 6.9 amps to run TVs, DVD players, computers, small power tools, and more from your car, truck, boat, RV or solar system batteries. Questions? Give us a call at 1-800-367-3019 today.
www.donrowe.com
 
If it's mainly for basement lights why not skip the inverter and stay 12vdc?
Get 12v LED's and save the conversion losses. Lots of 12 VDC stuff available in the RV and automotive world.
 
45North said:
If it's mainly for basement lights why not skip the inverter and stay 12vdc?
Click to expand...
I actually have done this for another room and it works well. The reason I am moving this direction is that I already have installed the led lights and they provide more light than my 12v version. Thank you for the idea.

However I am still in the planning stages for a number of items so if a good 12v inexpensive option becomes available it will be worth considering.
 
I have my orignal 4s JBD 200a BMS and WRZLB 1500w inverter left over from my first build for our camp. I’ll be putting to use in similar fashion with 4 280ah cells and plan to use it for power tool battery charging and other intermittent load.

If you don’t have the inverter yet, def look at the cheaper options, this unit has a 6-7w idle draw, price is nice.

 
On both of our solar systems we have at least one light near the equipment that runs directly off the battery. It comes in handy if the inverter shuts down. Just a couple of days ago I forgot a larger load running in the shed all night and the inverter shut down due to low voltage, but the battery still had plenty of power to run the DC light.
 
I use those same ones in my camper. You push the center button to change the color and turn the dial for brightness. Fortunately they keep the color and briteness settings when you cut power so you can wire them all together off a single dimmer or switch by the door and they'll all work together.
 
Rednecktek said:
I use those same ones in my camper.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing! Very encouraging feedback. They are very reasonably priced. Will probably pick up the four pack and see how they work for my application.

The web page suggested 12 to 24v at one point. IF that is true I could also run one of these directly off my portable built and in my main inverter room directly off the battery.
 
OK. Order placed for the 4 pack of the 12-24 lights. I see this as a Win-Win. Will try in my basement first. Can also see where they could serve as utility lights in other settings as well.
 
OK. Ran a quick test against 12v and 24v. Works quite well with 24v.

I can see how this would work nicely with a trailer. Would also work as emergency lighting for safety purposes or lighting a solar project area for basic lighting when additional light is needed.

Thinking I may run a circuit off of my 24 v group of batteries to light up my battery/inverter area. Will brainstorm on other areas that may benefit from this intensity of lighting.

Having said that, leaning back towards the inverter to run the existing led lights since I am lighting an unfinished basement which simply soaks up the light.
 
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Rigged up some temporary wiring to light my main project area. The single light provides a nice bit of illumination. Will be nice in case I need to look at something during a power outage.
 
OK. Went round and round on this. I am leaning towards the inverter and will be picking this one up. Way more than I need for the lighting I am running but it is top drawer and could potentially run a couple of other things as well which is nice. It has low idle usage which is a plus, has a number of nice safety features, and is a high quality unit. I could have gone much cheaper but decided to spend a bit more for something which has a good reputation:

 
Slowly making progress with the 12v battery build. The box Amy provides it built like a tank. However it does not have the fixtures, wiring and breaker like the larger boxes. However, for less than $40 it was a bargain.

Building the pre built boxes is fairly straight forward, some have made changes for the 48v fusing, but otherwise everything is already there. The 12v battery is challenging early building skills that were needed for my first batteries. Basically thinking "outside the box" so that everything fits "inside" the box.
 
Ok battery has been built. Installed the shut off switch at the top.

IMG_5015.jpeg
 
Will use one of these control modules with a battery powered switch. Because there will be two extension cords will use a corded outlet surge box to avoid tension on the inverter outlet.

Also admittedly this inverter has way more capacity than what I currently need. However in my mind would rather have reserve power in case it is needed.

IMG_5033.jpeg
 
I did want to mention this potential safety consideration. Many have watched the videos on the milk crate portable builds. They are completely self contained.

My build has different considerations. I am powering led light banks in the basement. One is in a laundry room. The likelihood of someone touching one while in contact with a damp surface is quite remote. However having said that, I consulted the documentation and will be utilizing the ground on the inverter. It will be attached to the house ground system as a safety measure.

The current system utilizes a battery powered switch which controls the module on the inverter which turns things on and off. I might decide to upgrade the light in the laundry room to a motion sensor system if family members forget to turn things off when they are done.
 
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OK. Please excuse lack of photos of the lights themselves. It is a basement after all with "stuff" in it. Here is a photo of the current position of the unit. I have corrected the supporting foam since this photo. Not shown is the outlet from this for the extension cords. The laundry room light is now operational.

IMG_5035.jpeg
 
If you have a whole house system then a project like this is a curiosity at best. On the other hand, it gave me a chance to utilize some cells that while viable were not quite as efficient as those in the main build. They handle this application quite nicely.

I have a another batch of cells that I will be using to build a second 12v battery. This will be for a 12v application and will be mobile.
 
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