Enough Lumens for CT

[lrrowe]

I just received four chineese led light strips for my main lighting in my CT. I thought I had interpreted their lumen chart correctly, but not only did they send me two different colors (warm and cool white), the lamps together do not produce enough brightness for the trailer. While I only tested them in the garage, I am convinced, I would be disappointed in the CT also.

So I am back to searching for low priced alternatives. I have tried to search this forum for recommendations and found many, but they do not suit my needs.

My new question is for you CT'rs out there, what level of lumens from a 12V LED lamp have you found to be adequate for the main lighting in the trailer. I used one 100 watt (800 lumens) AC bulb last fall while hunting with black plastic on the walls. In that instance, I would think I need 200 watts (3200 lumens total). In a lighter walled and ceiling room (6 x 12 ft) I think two 60 watt bulbs might work. That would be about 1600 lumens total (reg. http://lumennow.org/lumens-vs-watts).

Do you think I am close in my calculation to what I might need. I want ceiling flush mounts. An alternative might be these lights which others have posted on this site.
http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Stars-F35280 ... led+lights
But they are only 150 lumens each and would need about 11 to get to 1600 lumens. At the Amazon cost that 12 pieces would be $100 which I think is quite high.

I have also thought about 120 v units running through the PD4045.


Edit:
I just found these and depending on the lumens I need, this could be a good price for me.
http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?Sea ... d=0&catId=

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Bob

Have you thought about sleeping when it gets dark outside ?

[lrrowe]

No, you are supposed to let me know how many lumens you have, not how to use them.

[PaulC]

Bob

Have you thought about sleeping when it gets dark outside ?

Sorry Bob, but I found that funny
Cheers
Paul

[lrrowe]

Paul and Jerry, please rest assured I did not take offense.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Serious Bob.....

I could not help myself either..... I guess the amount of light needed is something personal,
so I don't see how much Peter, Paul or Mary's light use could be of any help to you ?
100 to 200 watts will drain your batteries flat in no time at all.

In my 7 x 18' as you know have ZERO windows and I can easily get by with a 16' LED strip of white light thats about 2.5 amps or 30 - 35 watts....
I also have lots of stick on battery powered lights overhead & inside my cabinets they cost about $12 each.
Generally I can get by with just enough light from my TV, but while eating somehow I need more light until I master how to eat in the dark.
I'll however admit when my Alzheimer's causes me to misplace my glasses , then I gotta break out my flashlight.....



Cheers Jerry

[PaulC]

Bob, I'm not sure of the intensity of my 12" led strip light but we can read by it. I"ll see if I can find a link.
Cheers
Paul

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X12V-Waterp ... 2a4aafa6be

[lrrowe]

Jerry, the 200 watts post was just to demonstrate the amount of light that works for me in AC. No, I would not use AC for this application.
Lumens is the standard measurement I am using to compare one light to another.

Paul, these lights are 680 lumens each (see further down in your link) and I believe 2 or 3 would work for me. And the price is right. Yours are in Australia. I quickly tired to find the same here and had no luck in the first try. I will continue to try. It is beer and stew time now.

Thanks to both of you for your comments so far.

Edit:
These lamps are what I just got and I am very disappointed in them. I ordered 4 of the warm color and got two warm and two white. And I expected them to be as bright as yours Paul, they do not appear to be.

[teddy]

My experience with electronics bought directly from China is that not every part of the specification is correct, they tend to exaggerate a bit. Usually i divide the rating in half to get the real specs.

[sdiver68]

I just scored a 48" 4200 lumen 40W LED light bar for $35 from Sams Club. I can either hang it or use brackets to mount it vertically. It runs cool and is rated for damp conditions.

It lights up my 6x12 like high noon on a sunny day.

[lrrowe]

Nice and I assume it is 12V? I will look in Sam's when I am near there. But I find the Sam's near me tend not to have same stuff as others have.
Thanks.

[sdiver68]

Nice and I assume it is 12V? I will look in Sam's when I am near there. But I find the Sam's near me tend not to have same stuff as others have.
Thanks.

Sorry no AC...will need shore power, modest inverter or modification for DC.

[abqlloyd]

Lowes and HD both have the LED shop lights for about the same price. They are ridiculously bright and energy efficient.

[lrrowe]

If the ice and snow cooperative tomorrow and I can climb up my hill, I now have an excuse to go to Lowes. I will look at the amperage draw and see if the inverter direction makes sense for me for these lights.
Bob

[lrrowe]

If the ice and snow cooperative tomorrow and I can climb up my hill, I now have an excuse to go to Lowes. I will look at the amperage draw and see if the inverter direction makes sense for me for these lights.
Bob

If they are like these, I do not think they will work for me.
http://www.lowes.com/Search=led+work+li ... rk+lights#!