Newbie needing help with garage power

[markpearson51]

Hello, Im new to this whole power concept. I have had an idea and wondered if anyone could tell me if it would work.

Basically I want to power my garage, not much demand mabey flourescent light and a couple of low wattage power tools. I would like to run a twelve volt supply from my house to the garage using one of those variable voltage adaptpers. Then link it up to a 800w invertor.

Then run lights etc off it with a plug in rcd just for piece of mind.

What does everyone think?

Thanks for your help

[jonas302]

well yes it coul work no its not a good idea and will cost a lot more than thowing in peice of direct burial wire and running 110 volts out there

12 volts would acually take a larger more expensive wire you can probly find a wire size chart in some other posts also doing converions uses power so it might take double the power by the time you light your bulb

on the other hand if you don't use much maybe take your garage off grid a harbor freight solar kit would probly do it with a deep cycle batt it runs 180-200 dollars plus batt and comes with 2 12 volt bulbs then you can use your inverter off the batt to run other things

Hope that helps

[wooferhound]

You want to convert 120vac to 12vdc

run it to the garage

then convert it back to 120vac

to run a light and some other stuff

yes it will work

you will lose 25% of your power converting it twice like that

the 12 volt wire will need to handle 10+ times the currant

and will be a very expensive piece of wire

not to mention the cost of the inverter

If it was me I would just run a 120vac wire out there.

I really like the Idea that jonas302 has above. I have one of those Harbor Freight Systems. It is Very Likely to be able to handle the devices that you mention in your Original Post. The system comes with two 12 volt CFL bulbs and a charge controller that usually doesn't last very long. You would need to add a large deep cycle battery and an inverter to complete the system.

Getting a better charge controller is only about 15 to 30 dollars

[TheCasualTraveler]

""Getting a better charge controller is only about 15 to 30 dollars""

If it's not too far off topic could you expand on what brand/model would be a decent low end, $15 to $30 charge controller?

[wooferhound]

I use Ghurds Dump Controller which is a little more than $15 shipped

you would need your own Dump Resisters or he sells them too I think

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/8/24/172521/889

A Dump Control is not the best for Solar power but I plan on adding a Wind Genny soon.

Morningstar makes a true 4 amp Charge controller for about $30 Shipped

http://www.infinigi.com/morningstar-sunguard-charge-controller-12v-p-837.html

Perfect for the Harbor Freight System. I think Ghurd sells them too.