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Thread: HLG running from a car battery + inverter?

  1. #1

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    Default HLG running from a car battery + inverter?

    I've received a text from Vodaphone, (not my service provider,) warning me of possible power cuts and to get in touch if I have special needs in the absence of leccy. It's been ~50 years since I experienced a power cut in this part of the UK, so best I take the warning seriously methinks.

    I've always had a plan to use a car battery, trickle charger, inverter and relay to keep the fan + filter going during a power outage but never got round to it.

    The grow after this one will be 2 x HLG 100. Low enough wattage for a 450w inverter to power as well as the fan.

    An inverter won't provide a perfect sine wave though. Will the HLG lights care about this? If not, I'll have the inverter power them. Otherwise, it will just power the fan.

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  3. #2

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    The switchmode power supply probably wont care honestly, but can you link me to the light and I'll look into the electronics for you. There may be a way to drive it with DC which will make the battery last significantly longer.

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  5. #3

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    2 x HLG 100. Even if they could run direct from battery, I doubt that the fan would. Currently 8" L1 rvk @ 40% power. To be replaced early next year with an AC Infinity S4.

    If I can run both fan and lights from the inverter, I can keep the 'power cut kit' in the kitchen. Only running the fan is a bit more awkward.

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  7. #4

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    I agree with what your saying, it is just inverters are no where near as efficient as dc-dc converters, but if you prefer simplicity over efficiency I don't really blame you

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  9. #5

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    Do you need the lights? (growing photos?)

    If so a 5w standard led light bulb in a holder would be enough to keep light cycles in check and less of a drain.

    NO SELL, NO SMELL, NO TELL!!!


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  11. #6

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    Running only the fan (plus anti flowering led) was my original plan Mac. That plan was conceived for hid lighting. What makes it awkward is having the power socket in the kitchen and the (current) cmh and timer in the loft above the cupboard. Power for the 6w led also comes from the loft. It's a weird ground floor flat. Cellar below and a loft above. I'm not complaining about that.

    With only 190w drawn by the (yet to be fitted) leds, the inverter powering everything would be the easiest way to do it as it can live in the kitchen. Or the cellar? To have the fan and 6w led powered but not the lights would mean having the battery and inverter in the loft.

    A quick search of reviews so far says to aim for far more output than needed. Maybe a 1kw inverter?

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  13. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Q_Buds View Post
    I agree with what your saying, it is just inverters are no where near as efficient as dc-dc converters, but if you prefer simplicity over efficiency I don't really blame you
    DCC converter for the win, agree

    12v i/p
    36v o/p
    Constant current mode
    Flyback boost converter

    You wont use the driver anymore

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  15. #8

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    It would be a backup in case of a power outage. Reliability more important than efficiency.

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