I know that is no longer legal to gig in some areas with a generator to run lights. Knowing that, can I use a generator to recharge batteries as they become weak, while I am using a battery to light the areas I am gigging?
quote:
Originally posted by Sasha and AbbyI know that is no longer legal to gig in some areas with a generator to run lights. Knowing that, can I use a generator to recharge batteries as they become weak, while I am using a battery to light the areas I am gigging?
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”
Will Rogers
I would interpret the law as no. It was made because of the noise aspect of running a generator at night.
For my gigging rig, I use some 6000k CFL bulbs that are 1300 lumens each. I run 5 of them with a inverter. I run the inverter with a group 31 battery all night on a single charge. That might be something you want to consider as an option.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
Send me a pic of your lights/rig.
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”
Will Rogers
quote:
Originally posted by Sasha and AbbySend me a pic of your lights/rig.
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”
Will Rogers
I made Plexiglas covers for the lights to protect them from water splashes. They don’t get hot at all. The lights are extremely white, like a led.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
Where is it not legal to run a generator?
BOB
It is unlawful to use any type of artificial illumination produced by motor fuel powered generators while fishing for flounder in the waters of Pawleys Inlet north to the northern terminus of Main Creek at Garden City Beach.
PER DNR… So you should be fine…
Great set up! Thank for the pictures.
Running an inverter will increase battery life? Can you run them together and direct connect to the battery? I would assume you would need different bulbs if this were to be set up right? DC bulbs?
I have two lights and currently need to find the right bulbs to run them. I directly connect my lights to my battery.
“My fish served a whole lunchon. Your fish look like a munchkin”
East Cape Gladesmen
Merc 15
“Skinny”
2007 Toyota Tundra TRD 5.7L V8
GO PIRATES!
Does your inverter get hot? Do you keep out in the open or protected from water dripping on it? How many watts is the inverter? Thanks
Sweet setup MattR I may copy it on my next boat.
An inverter converts the 12VDC power from the battery to 120VAC. Running Compact Fluorescent Lights, CLF, gives you the same light output, lumens, as an Incandescent with much lower power draw. As in, 23W CFL is = 100W Incandescent. Technically running an inverter doesn’t extend battery life however running an inverter and CFLs will.
I would multiply the bulb total x Bulb watts and add in a 20-25% fudge factor, and pick the next biggest inverter from there. As long as it’s not a whole lot more expensive. So for the 23W I found, 5 lights X 23W X 1.2 or 1.25 it would be 138-143W that would be a 150W inverter. Although I may go with a 300W’er just cause I might want to run other things at the same time.
BTW 6000k is temperature in Kelvin which basically tells you the color temperature of the light output.
Looking forward to hearing what Matt is actually running I may be all wet.
David H.
quote:
Originally posted by reel nautiDoes your inverter get hot? Do you keep out in the open or protected from water dripping on it? How many watts is the inverter? Thanks
Gamerunner has it all pretty well figured out. I have a 2000watt/3000 peak inverter, but I use it to run a skil saw and other high amp stuff.
With 5 23watt CFL bulbs the battery draw was at 11.9 amps. So at 12.5v my inverter was running about 77% efficiency if the bulbs truly are 23 watt. To match the battery, you would need to know how long it is going to run. Most group 31 batteries have a reserve capacity of 180 mins. That is 3 hours at 25a load. 11.9 is very close to half of that, so figure 6 hours. During my test, it was still running strong after 9 hours on a completely charged battery.
I also had the whole works running through a good GFCI. No good comes from salt water mixing with high voltage unless you are doing a fish count or making hydrogen.
I made sure my inverter was in a very dry place. That, combined with the GFCI and a circuit breaker for good measure kept me safe.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude