Elecrtical wizardry need

**Christopha** · 17th January 2005, 05:13 PM

Okey Dokey, the South australian Woodenboat Festival is on again in March. On the Saturday evenng of the "Do" a fairy light parade is held. I thunk that all I hadf to do was get some of them cheap xmas lights, chop off the transformer thinngy and attach now naked wires to a car battery hidden away in the depths of the mighty vessel "R&R" but apparently doing so will lead to a somewhat dismal display. Tell me what' how and keep it simple cos I'm an electrical numbnut........

Behold!
The mighty vessel "R&R"........

**bitingmidge** · 17th January 2005, 05:24 PM

I don't think you even need to chop off the transformer; most come with plugs at that end now too. You should be able to get a matching one from Dick Smith's or the like.

Good thing about 12v is that about the only way it'll kill you is if you let the battery drop on you from a great height!

Put a little flashing red one in there somewhere so you think of me!!

Another option could be to buy a small 240v generator (less than $100 these days) and keep it stowed below, power all the stuff from it using normal 240 fittings, kept below (make sure all the lights and above deck fittings are 12v though!). Scares me, but many do it.

Had to cancel the trip this year because the Missus said we weren't going anywhere the week before a wedding at our place. :confused: :confused: :confused:

Oh well there's always 2007!

Have a great time!

P

**simon c** · 17th January 2005, 05:57 PM

Christopher,

Car batteries are really designed to provide high current for short amounts of time, to get your car started. This is why leaving your inside light on in your car for just a few hours can flatten your battery. The normal powering of your car electronics is provided through your alternator rather than your battery.

What you need is a gel cell/SLA battery (sealed lead acid) or even a marine battery, which is a bit of a compromise.

**bitingmidge** · 17th January 2005, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by simon c

What you need is a gel cell/SLA battery (sealed lead acid) or even a marine battery, which is a bit of a compromise.

Simon,

I agree, (but I'm an electrical dunce), but I reckon an hour or two would be enough charge, couldn't one get more life by running multiple batteries in (oh darn...series or parallel - I know it's one of them!)... If it isn't possible to borrow sufficient battery power, the generator looks like the most cost effective solution I think.

Cheers,

P

**Christopha** · 17th January 2005, 07:02 PM

Whoa back..... not stickin' a petrol genny in her, there isn't all that much room for starters. Car batteries are what I have, buying special batteries for a "oncer" isn't an option either, no budget! They will have to run for only an hour or so at the max. If I flatten the battery it doesn't matter as I can charge it up again when I get home as it is a spare. Kepp 'em coming fellas......

**Lucas** · 17th January 2005, 07:06 PM

Simon
Deep cycle battery is what i think you are trying to say Christopha needs
due to the long life with a slow discharge

**RETIRED** · 17th January 2005, 07:29 PM

How many batteries Chris?

Paralleling (+to+, -to-)them will increase the amount of amps available whilst keeping it at 12V.

Be warned that if you flattem them too far they will be stuffed.

Hook up a voltmeter and when it reaches 10.5Volts with load on, turn the load off and recharge as soon as possible.

**Christopha** · 17th January 2005, 07:44 PM

probably a maximum of two mate..... it is the lights themselves which have me a bit stuffed as the little chrissy ones I have found actually come out at 24volt without the transformer..... all I want are a bunch of little twinkly lights which I can drape over my little boat thing for an hours fun on the water once every two years.

**Tankstand** · 17th January 2005, 08:58 PM

Christopha, if you have two 12V car batteries, just connect them together in series ( + ~ - / - ~ + ) and you now have your 24V!

Please correct me if I'm wrong here people, Don't want stoppers having a premature meltdown or nuthin' :eek:

**RETIRED** · 17th January 2005, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Tankstand

Christopha, if you have two 12V car batteries, just connect them together in series ( + ~ - / - ~ + ) and you now have your 24V!

Please correct me if I'm wrong here people, Don't want stoppers having a premature meltdown or nuthin' :eek:

Yes you are right. Connect in series.

The meltdown part would be entertaining to the crowd.

**Daddles** · 17th January 2005, 10:28 PM

For really pretty display, drop a match in the bilge - with all that red wine slopping around, it should glow really well

Richard
does this mean I've got to put lights on Redback? :eek:

**Christopha** · 17th January 2005, 10:34 PM

I have my answer!!!!! I shall tow Redback as she burns

**Daddles** · 17th January 2005, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Christopha

I have my answer!!!!! I shall tow Redback as she burns

Does that mean I should leave the last top coat until the day before so that it's still gassing off? :eek:

I'd need LOOOOOTTTTTTTSSSSSS of red wine to toss that match

Richard

**journeyman Mick** · 17th January 2005, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Tankstand

Christopha, if you have two 12V car batteries, just connect them together in series ( + ~ - / - ~ + ) and you now have your 24V!

Please correct me if I'm wrong here people, Don't want stoppers having a premature meltdown or nuthin' :eek:

Series connection would be: +~- +~-, that is connect the positive terminal of one battery to the negative terminal of the other, then connect your lights to the two free terminals (one +, one -) this will give you 24V.

Mick

**Daddles** · 17th January 2005, 10:44 PM

How about extending the chain drive on the prop to run around a generator as well - you can pedal that hard can't you?

Richard

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