Around this time of year every year, squid are thick in the puget sound. Squid are attracted to light.
The place that I frequent does not allow generators or gas (propane) lighting, no ac power is available on this dock either. I generally choose to use 12v automotive lighting run off of a deep cycle battery. Many people choose 120v lighting, an inverter and a 12v battery. Seems like too much power loss to the inverter for me.
The lights that are too focused seem to scare squid, flood lighting is prefered. Blue light doesn't penetrate the water very well, seems to scatter near the surface.
I want as much light as possible, with as little battery to carry as possible.
My last light was an automotive hid ballast from ebay, 100w supposedly, and an hid converted fog lamp with a painted white reflector. Worked very well, but im hoping to do better with an led setup.
The led strip lights that ive played with in the past seem very inefficient, maybe due to the resistor based regulation.
My next attempt will be finding an all flood version of the popular automotive led light bars on ebay. Hopefully in a warmer light color. in the 100w range, as ill need several hour run times. These light bars are hit and miss though, the last light bar I bought from ebay claimed to be 500w but only measured 4 amps of draw!
My questions are about the voltage regulation in these lights. Do you think the drivers are fairly efficient? What is inside of the 9-35v ebay light bars with "cree or philips leds" ?? Being limited to battery power, does anyone have any other suggestions? The most successful lighting setups ive seen are usually generator powered 300- 500w halogen bulbs, but thats not an option on this dock. Id really like to find a 200w led flood light that I can convert to 12v power if anyone has an idea....
So in summary...
12v power around 10 amps
warmer light color prefered
70 degree flood ideal
Any suggestions appreciated!
The place that I frequent does not allow generators or gas (propane) lighting, no ac power is available on this dock either. I generally choose to use 12v automotive lighting run off of a deep cycle battery. Many people choose 120v lighting, an inverter and a 12v battery. Seems like too much power loss to the inverter for me.
The lights that are too focused seem to scare squid, flood lighting is prefered. Blue light doesn't penetrate the water very well, seems to scatter near the surface.
I want as much light as possible, with as little battery to carry as possible.
My last light was an automotive hid ballast from ebay, 100w supposedly, and an hid converted fog lamp with a painted white reflector. Worked very well, but im hoping to do better with an led setup.
The led strip lights that ive played with in the past seem very inefficient, maybe due to the resistor based regulation.
My next attempt will be finding an all flood version of the popular automotive led light bars on ebay. Hopefully in a warmer light color. in the 100w range, as ill need several hour run times. These light bars are hit and miss though, the last light bar I bought from ebay claimed to be 500w but only measured 4 amps of draw!
My questions are about the voltage regulation in these lights. Do you think the drivers are fairly efficient? What is inside of the 9-35v ebay light bars with "cree or philips leds" ?? Being limited to battery power, does anyone have any other suggestions? The most successful lighting setups ive seen are usually generator powered 300- 500w halogen bulbs, but thats not an option on this dock. Id really like to find a 200w led flood light that I can convert to 12v power if anyone has an idea....
So in summary...
12v power around 10 amps
warmer light color prefered
70 degree flood ideal
Any suggestions appreciated!