Computer UPS to power a couple of CFL bulbs in shed?

[cujet]

I have 2 sheds without light or power (and I'm not going to run power there) . I'd like to install 2ea. CFL's in each shed. I can do it with small inverters, batteries and a small solar panel.

Or I can try to use an older UPS ty-wrapped to the roof. And simply hook a small solar panel to the battery. Turning the UPS on/off would power the lights. I've got a few older UPS's hanging around. Or, I could simply purchase small, new ones that turn on/off easily.

Any thoughts?

[Ronmar]

Most UPS's need line power to sync with before you can turn them on.  Why not cut out the middle man and put in LED lights.  These are getting fairley common, my local catchall store(hardware/sporting goods/clothing/variety) even has them on the shelf.  Solar panel on the roof, 12V charge controller and a storage battery to be maintained by the panel/controler.  Then wire the lights off the battery.

If you are going to stay AC, you will need to buy an inverter which will be able to cold start on DC power alone...

[mobile_bob]

apc ups systems down to the 700va units will start up just fine without
every being connected to the grid.

just press and hold the on button for a few seconds till it beeps and away it goes

to silence the beep, simply press the on button again and the beep will quit

dead on 60hz, pure sine wave power

bob g

[Thob]

I guess it depends on what you've already got and how well it works; how much light you need, etc.  If you already have the UPS and CFL, give it try and see how well it works and how long it lasts before the battery goes dead.  Another option is to buy a complete unit - search for "solar powered shed light" on amazon for example.  Not much money, but I don't think they are much more light output than a flashlight.  Are these lights to work by, or just so you can dig through your stuff at night and find something?

[Jens]

Another vote for LED. They are more efficient than CFL. In addition, the fact that you don't need a UPS saves you a whole bunch of wasted electrons. A small solar panel and cheap charge controller will complete the setup (or you could swap out the battery once a week with a freshly charged one).
It's absolutely amazing how much light you can get from LED's for what seems to be almost zero power.

[cujet]

I'd like at least 3000 lumens and 5000 would be better. Otherwise, why bother. That's why I picked a minimum of 2ea 23W, 2700K CFL's.

I've got a tractor in there, and I'd like to be able to see properly for the few minutes I'm in there, searching for stuff.

I tried one of those HF "solar flood lights" and it's beyond horrible.

I do have 24V, 44AH lead acid aircraft batteries. And I have some stupidly expensive LED strip lighting from the corporate jet. But, it's nowhere near bright enough.

[LowGear]

Where is that thread on hand torches when you need it?  That's the problem though isn't it; you can't find them when you really need one?

I'm not saying I'm getting fixated on CSI but the focused beam really does help me find crap stuff.

Casey

[Jens]

I tried one of those HF "solar flood lights" and it's beyond horrible.

I can't speak in lumens but I can say that cheap LED's is a huge waste of money. They drop in light output before you know it, fail frequently and are generally a pain in the butt. Only consider quality (unfortunately costly) LED's if you want quality lighting.

[Thob]

I'd like at least 3000 lumens and 5000 would be better. Otherwise, why bother. That's why I picked a minimum of 2ea 23W, 2700K CFL's.

Holy Cow Batman!  That's a lot of lumens.  You're not likely to find LEDs in that power range that are affordable, so I'd go with the CFLs that you mentioned.   Actually, for that much light I would consider going with the "old fashioned" fluorescent bulbs.  Something like a 2-tube fixture with 2' bulbs.  Or a single tube 40 watt fixture.

I've gotten really disappointing results with the CFLs, they don't seem to last anywhere near their rated hours, and they don't start in the cold.  I have a couple outside, I have to give them 15 minutes to warm up in the winter time.  When I first turn them on, I have to light a match to see if they are working, which is not good when looking for the gas can in the shed.

Edited to add:
Don't buy the cheapie "shop lights" either, they are not any better than CFLs when it comes to starting in cold weather (i.e. below 50* F).

[Tom Reed]

4 or 5 if these led bulbs will to the job. They do use about the same amount of energy per lumin as a CFL, but if they even last 1/2 of the quoted 25k hours quoted they are a deal.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IUMGV4/ref=asc_df_B004IUMGV42254700?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-898-95-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B004IUMGV4

[Ronmar]

But those need AC power?  One of the points of LED's is cutting out the middleman(UPS) and staying completely on DC...

I was thinking something like these perhaps.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/light-duty-lights/

[Tom Reed]

That looks good. We have a LED scene work light at the fire department and it works great! Much better than the generator lights and portable too. As long as it gets recharged it's wonderful.