Lighting options for barns and buildings

[Stockers96]

Hey, I have a couple of barns that have no mains power supply but I could really do with lighting. Without paying loads of money to get mains to the barns I thought about solar power for these. Their main use would be at lambing time. Just wanted to know if anyone had any experience of this kind of thing as been looking for solar and lights combined but don't really know where to start. Any ideas would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[steveR]

100 watt solar panel and a charge controller hooked to a big leisure battery or two, then run LED lighting from the battery. Something like this...

100W Watt Solar Panel Kit for 5/12V Battery Power Charge & Controller Home RV NJ | eBay

1 100W solar panel. Solar panels. Solar panels can be used for surface mounting. Scope of application: bicycle, mountaineering, hiking, camping, traveling, etc. Short circuit current: 2A. Colour: Black.

www.ebay.co.uk

The biggest factor that will need calculating is how much lighting you want, and how long for? If only intermittent usage when checking or at lambing times, a 80amp battery will probably suffice.

These lights are OK I have found in my cattle yards! Might look at 12V striplights too? I use 4 10watt floods.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Floo...990754?hash=item2abcbae2a2:g:ny4AAOSwRcZb-5HA

Wire up with some cheap lighting cable...

 

[steveR]

Or buy a generator....

I did see someone was using an inverter on their vehicle to give a 240 supply socket, but these days, 12v stuff is pretty decent.

 

[upnortheast]

When do you lamb. March isn`t great to get production from a solar panel. April is better.

A little genny might be more reliable for what you want, & you can use it for other things during the year.

Nowt more frustrating if you have a big night in the lambing shed & the battery goes flat

 

[Stockers96]

Hey, thanks, I lamb in March/April so did consider the daylight issue. I do have a generator but not that keen on switching it on everytime I need to flick on the lights - maybe just use it as a back up.

 

[TheTallGuy]

If you do go ahead with the solar, make sure that you get a proper mppt charge controller & not a cheap eBay/Amazon special as they don't get the best out of your panel(s) & generally knacker the battery quite quickly.

 

[upnortheast]

Just as a rough guide our 30 kw solar produce about 2000 kw last march, so 2kw / kw panels / day. The panels normally seen on roofs are 250 w, so 4 of those for 1 KW.
Remember not every day is the same
So you need battery capacity to cover the cloudy days.
Some simple maths should tell you how many panels / batteries you need.
Question on a job like this do you use ac or DC lights ?

 

[Hobby Horse]

I think a combination of batteries/solar/generator is your best bet. the solar will be out of action for about 4 months of the year, use your genny at this point to charge the batteries

 

[steveR]

I think a combination of batteries/solar/generator is your best bet. the solar will be out of action for about 4 months of the year, use your genny at this point to charge the batteries

I simply use two batteries, and have one on charge in the workshop to swap over when required.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

mount an extra battery on your vehicle, wire it through a relay to standard battery, power the relay switch from ignition switch, so when ignition is off it isolates the batteries, use a 3 pin machinery power socket and plug to draw power from extra battery, to power 12 volt led lamps in shed, with ignition turned off it will only draw power from extra battery and not vehicle battery, so not leaving you with a vehicle that won't start due to flat battery,
simply unplug and drive away, when driving and ignition is on it will charge extra battery up, in a very prolonged use of time at night, just start the vehicle for 10 mins every time it gets dim lights,
no generator needed and no lugging batteries about

 

[e3120]

mount an extra battery on your vehicle, wire it through a relay to standard battery, power the relay switch from ignition switch, so when ignition is off it isolates the batteries, use a 3 pin machinery power socket and plug to draw power from extra battery, to power 12 volt led lamps in shed, with ignition turned off it will only draw power from extra battery and not vehicle battery, so not leaving you with a vehicle that won't start due to flat battery,
simply unplug and drive away, when driving and ignition is on it will charge extra battery up, in a very prolonged use of time at night, just start the vehicle for 10 mins every time it gets dim lights,
no generator needed and no lugging batteries about

I like this idea a lot. Is there a risk that turning the ignition on after flattening the 2nd battery drains the main one before getting the engine started? Maybe something smart like not closing the relay until the charging light has gone out?

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

The way above wired that way, will draw power from vehicle battery if ignition is turned on, that is what I had in my van for work lamps, inverter, etc, worked a treat

 

[335d]

The extra battery method is basically what happens with a caravan. You can buy split charging relays for this purpose. If your car has a a 13 pin socket, or a 12n and 12s, then it’s already wired.

Split Charging Guide - caravans, campervans, motorhomes, boats, vehicles

Our guide to split charging for caravans, campervans, motorhomes, boats & commercial vehicles. A look at how it works & the various technologies available.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Depends how far you drive the car during the day, as it may not be enough to charge the batteries. As above, maybe easier to just have two batteries and swap out, charging on mains.

 

[Stockers96]

Thanks for the feedback folks. Given me plenty to think about. In the short term I think car batteries may not be a bad shout for my current situation.

 

[Zedlock]

This firm may be worth looking at (based in Newton Abbott): https://www.callidus.co.uk/