This was suggested to me and I just don't know what to think!

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Halfpint2

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I previously posted asking for advice on battery stable lighting and had some good ideas put to me.

However someone suggested the following and I simply do not know if it would work, and tbh if it did do I want to do it!.


We have our own land and need to light 2 stables and a store room, the suggestion was to acquire an old transit van type thing and run the lighs off that, so in effect I would connect to the battery of said van and keep it ticking over while at the same time charging the battery, so it would still be 12v lighting .

The van would be used as storage and positioned that I could light up the paddock whilst getting the horses in.

Could it work ?

Getting a van is no problem I could get one today Oh and I are both in the trade, and can also get a supply of car batteries for next to nothing, so it would be a cheaper option that buying a generator.

I really could do with your thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance.
 
I suppose it would work, I would be tempted to take the wheels off the van so it couldnt be pinched

Wouldnt t be cheaper to use up a stock of old 12v batteries if you have a ready supply or even take one home to charge while another one is left at the stables?
 
My otherhalf runs a light in a barn off our tractor, he just leaves it running and uses a transformer thing and plugs the light in.
 
The van would be for nothing, and as I am short of storage my OH thought this would be a happy compromise.

The land is really next to the house and I don't think anyone would pinch it, my horse box is parked there currently and that has been fine albeit with wheel locks etc.
 
Thanks, its not a strange suggestion after all then !
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Thanks again JM07, I was just wondering what happens on a dull day, but if you can have this alongside a battery then that answers my question.

Does your friend find it enough say in the winter when its not so bright out there, I really don't know anyone who has this type of thing.
 
It's not a bad idea or you could just set up some more lights directed onto the paddock and and charge them off the battery/batteries as well?

I wouldn't get a generator. they are great (of noisy) but so far we've had 3 and they've all been nicked! 2 nicked out of an industrial container on 2 sepaerate occasions - they used an aceteline torch to cut through it on one occasion after they'd already cut through two gates first to get their van up to the stables!!
 
Is it possible for you to dig a trench out to the house and run exterior grade cable so you can plug into a house socket?
 
i`ve got a draper inspection light with a screw in bulb.it came with 5m of cable with crocodile clips on the end.i fixed it to the stable beam & ran the cable out through the stable roof and then i clip it onto a car battery outside the stable when i need it.have not had to charge it yet in the last month.it`s really light to see by.i use just an ordinary car battery.took minites to set up.(i keep the battery covered with a bucket when not in use.)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-576A-Insp...3661&sr=8-6
 
My OH is an electrical engineer with motor mechanic and automotive electrics training and he says the transit is is actually a great idea!
 
I'd like to take credit for it , but It was my father in law and tbh I just laughed the idea off, thought it was silly, but the more i think about it the better it becomes.
 
More advice from the OH - buy a cheap 12v solar panel with clips on (Maplin, eBay - a few quid) and put it on the roof of the van, which will keep the battery topped up without using as much fuel.

No charge for the advice
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