Hi all.
I am new to this board, this is my first posting. I am building a backup power system somewhat similar to "RCpilot". Perhaps I'll post something on that eventually... Meanwhile:
In a batery-based system where the inverter is not always on (or non-existent), DC lighting seems like a good thing, at least in some key fixtures in the house. It seems that 12VDC CFLs exist but are hard to find (especially if you're picky on the color rating etc), and expensive when you find them.
Has anybody tried the following alternative approach: there are now dirt-cheap chinese mini-inverters (e.g. 40 watts) flooding the market. (See e.g. the ebay seller "vastexchangecorp".) With such, can run regular 115VAC CFLs, available in all sizes shapes and colors, and cheap. If such an inverter can last longer than the bulb, the bulb can then be replaced with another cheap one. Before you say "this is a waste", note that a DC CFL must have a mini-inverter built in! And the cost of a separate mini-inverter plus an AC CFL is actually less than that of a DC CFL alone! But will those mini-inverters do the job?
Practical issues: Such a mini-inverter is built to plug into a car's cigarette-lighter socket, but should be easy to hardwire or convert to another type of plug. Also should ideally be arranged to be downstream from the switch. (Not sure what their idle power cunsumption is - nor their efficiency.)
Alternatively, pointers to reasonably priced screw-in 12VDC CFLs (in the 5-25 watt range, with 2700K color rating) are welcome!