Hi,
I am going to Khutse Game Reserve for 3 nights and was hoping to use my LED working light for general light. Its 18W and draws 1.3A@12V.
Should I be worried that this will draw too much power? How long can I run it for? I only have the one battery installed but its about 6 months old and the correct size battery for the DID. I know the DID needs some kick to get gong and not keen to get stuck out there.
If this has been answered by another thread, please direct me?
Thanks,
Neil
Personally, with a diesel, in wilderness areas, especially if going solo, I wouldn't rely on my starter battery for anything other than starting - not much passing traffic in a place like Khutse. I would always take two batteries, either of which is capable of starting the car.
That said, assuming a 70Ah battery, you could probably safely (in terms of depth of discharge) run just your lamp for probably 20+ hours without recharging. Assuming you only really need it for 2 or 3 hours a night and that there are no other battery loads and that you will be driving and hence recharging during the day, you should be fine.
That said, assuming a 70Ah battery, you could probably safely (in terms of depth of discharge) run just your lamp for probably 20+ hours without recharging. Assuming you only really need it for 2 or 3 hours a night and that there are no other battery loads and that you will be driving and hence recharging during the day, you should be fine.
At 18w you will be drawing 1.5 amps, so you could run that off your battery for about 40 hours or so (assumes battery capacity around 60ah). However having done so you will have to walk home cause your car wont start.
You should be perfectly safe running this load for 4hrs or so each night as long as you are driving around for an hour or more each day.
Despite the above you should never run camping requirements off your primary battery, get a dual battery system and then sleep much better at night.
You should be perfectly safe running this load for 4hrs or so each night as long as you are driving around for an hour or more each day.
Despite the above you should never run camping requirements off your primary battery, get a dual battery system and then sleep much better at night.
And your battery will probably never be the same again. Starter batteries do not take kindly to 100% depth of discharge.markcouz wrote:At 18w you will be drawing 1.5 amps, so you could run that off your battery for about 40 hours or so (assumes battery capacity around 60ah). However having done so you will have to walk home cause your car wont start.
Add a second battery and have a manual switch between the two. Isolate the 2nd battery and run your camp stuff of this. Cheap(ish) alternative to installing a dual battery system. NB remember you will have to switch the connection between the two batteries on and of manually. Or you could end up with two flat batteries 
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
A safer alternative to the fully manual system mentioned above is to have the manual switch powered by an ignition source. That way when the ignition switch is off the 2nd battery is disconnected.
Aka using a solenoid.markcouz wrote:A safer alternative to the fully manual system mentioned above is to have the manual switch powered by an ignition source. That way when the ignition switch is off the 2nd battery is disconnected.
If you go this route, check the battery type - alternatora aren't the best chargers of deep cycle type batteries.
On the other hand. If you plan on just running the light for 2 or 3 hours each night you should be fine. You could check the status of your current battery at most tyre fitment places / battery centre to get an idea if it's performing the way it should. Also maybe take a voltmeter along to check you never drain the battery under 12.3V under load (you could probably do more, but I would not be comfortable if had to start a diesel in the cold on my Ace)
Karl
I run a portable car LED spot light (working light) off a alarm type 7AH battery and used it most nights for 2-weeks on a trip through Zimbabwe. I was not worried about running the car battery flat but more importantly I wanted good light which was very portable. I did this over 3-years ago and people are amazed how long the battery lasts and how simple my system is.
I obviously don't leave the light on all the time but use it as and when required. Simple and effective.
I obviously don't leave the light on all the time but use it as and when required. Simple and effective.