Fitting 12V Lighting into a Stable Block or Barn

With the advent of special 12V DC, high efficiency Compact Fluorescent lighting from OnSolar.co.uk, it is possible to install powerful low energy 12v lighting almost anywhere including your stable block or barn!

Using OnSolar 7W 12V low energy CCFL (cold cathode) fluorescent lamps to provide good quality lighting in a remote stable block

One of the most gratifying things a remote stabling operator / owner can do is to install a simple 12v DC lighting system.  This will transform the time spent there by virtue of providing good quality powerful lighting to cover safety and practicality. Lighting your stable block will allow maintenance routines to be carried out throughout the year in complete safety. It is amazing the difference even a couple of well placed low energy fluorescent lamps can make.  A small 12v 7 Watt cold cathode compact fluorescent lamp will provide illumination similar to a regular 40 watt incandescent lamp, so as you can see, this is going to be Very useful light!

For some horse and pony owners, it can be a little disconcerting to be working perhaps a mile of more from the nearest homestead and perhaps in failing light conditions. Of course one will have a reliable torch to help guide the way. However, wouldn’t it be a lot better if the areas you need to work in were brightly lit? Of course it would, but How?  Take a look at the diagram further down below in this article.

Using 12v OnSolar lamps for remote barn and stable lighting

It is relatively easy for anyone to install a simple lighting circuit but we would also like to point out that this should not be undertaken as a spur of the moment project; one should make sure that all components are fit for purpose, safe and that suitably rated fuse is installed to protect against short circuits. It is also prudent to ensure any cabling is installed so that animals cannot gain access to it. Depending on how you feel about it, you may also wish to install a simple Car radio to provide a little company for yourself and your animal(s).  You can then tune into some tasteful music whilst your are grooming your horse for example.

As the diagram below illustrates, for installations requiring long cable runs, there may be a slight voltage drop as power reaches the final or last lamp in a chain but providing quality cabling is used and the length is not too long, there should not be any problems.

The voltage drop may cause lamps at the end of  longer wiring installations to be a little dimmer. It is not desirable to allow voltage to drop below around 11.5v as this actually  increases  loading and may shorten CFL / CCFL lamp life. This can be offset by employing a double cable run or using a higher grade / higher amperage cable. You may also be able to locate any larger lamps you may intend to use at the start of the circuit / closer to the battery or on a separate circuit. You may also employ smaller 7W or 3W lamps towards the end or in ‘last position’ in your lighting circuit.

Another great thing one can have is the ability to operate ones stable lighting via a remote control. This may not turn on the interior lighting but maybe a couple of outside lights. This can prepare the way and provide security as one will be able to see there are no unwelcome visitors lurking or suspicious looking activity. See 12v remote ‘key fob’ operated switches on the OnSolar Specials page. Alternatively, one can install a fabulous quality motion detector to instantly turn on your exterior lighting circuit and provide illumination as you approach.

The above example is only an example. If you wish to use alternative more powerful lighting higher grade cable will be required in a similar fitting. Unless using multiple cable runs, one should not exceed the recommended maximum amperage for the chosen cabling. A 7 watt CCFL lamp can be considered as using around .6 of an amp so using four will equal around 2.5 amps which will be just fine for an average application with up to around 20 meters of distributing cabling. Regular domestic 2.5mm ‘twin & earth’ from a local DIY store will be just fine. However, one may need to consider damage from rodents and of course be sure to install a simple car style blade fuse of say 5 amps (in the example here). If at all possible, it is of benefit to install a modest solar PV panel of around 40 watts or more to keep your battery in good health and to ensure power is available at all times.  Of course, if you were planning to be a little more extravagant and use more or larger lamps than in the illustration above, one would require a larger PV (photovoltaic panel) of perhaps 80 watts or more; assuming an hour or two an evening using your lighting circuit.

If you have a particular scenario that you would like to employ low voltage low energy lighting into and want to seek advice first, please go ahead and drop us an email, see below.

Many things can effect the potential to collect and store electrical current: One may need to consider site position, prevailing weather conditions, worst case scenarios such as poor winters (when very little power may be collected form a PV cell), etc. Basically if your calculations seem to indicate that a single 40w panel will cope with your lighting demands, go ahead and double that to 80w. of course, it is easy enough to add panels to your circuit at any time. Just remember your solar regulator rating as it may need to be upgraded if you start adding a lot of power solar PV panels . Drop us a line if you have any questions: Contact OnSolar