Christmas Float lights........

banjoman09 · Nov 5, 2018

For any of you whom have done this; Im putting together a Christmas Float and just curious what type of 12v battery to buy to run it for about 1 hour; My tractor is 6v so I will just buy a 12v battery to power the lights with an "inverter". Should I buy a "Deep Cell" battery or regular 12v battery? I know you will say "how many lights" and I will say "Not many!" One blow-up with 6-8 light bulbs- 2 strand of small lights down the side and thats it. Thanks for advice.

jimg.allentown · Nov 5, 2018

This is a question that has no simple answer that can even be close to accurate.
Start with the current draw. How much current does your setup draw? The only reasonably accurate way to know is to measure it. Some lights draw more than others. LEDs draw less than incandescent bulbs. Not sure how much halogen bulbs draw. So, start there.
Next, what size battery? A group 31 battery will run the lights much longer than a group 26 battery.
More information is needed or your question is like asking how high is the sky? Or how deep is the ocean? Or where did I park my tractor last Tuesday?

Steve@Advance · Nov 5, 2018

I would borrow a battery out of something not in use, or buy a battery that fits another vehicle with the oldest battery.

coshoo · Nov 5, 2018

While I respect jimg's scientific approach, sometimes ya' just gotta go for it. Get a marine/deep cycle battery (they are designed for steady small draw, as opposed to short, high amperage bursts as in starting a vehicle). I've got one for my trolling motor, and have never had it go dead, even after up to 3 hours of fishing. If you have a friend who fishes, you could maybe even borrow one for the night. I'm pretty sure it will work fine, but if it runs down, you've got a "stealth" float for the rest of the parade (I assume you have lights on the tractor itself so you won't be invisible), and no harm done.

Then take the tractor and float home, store the stuff, and convert the tractor to 12 volts over the winter so you can dispense with the extra battery next year. Put the battery on Craigs list, and you'll probably get nearly as much as you paid for it.

BTW, I tried to simplify it even more by looking for a 6V DC to 110V AC inverter on line, but couldn't find anything.

John T · Nov 5, 2018

In any situation where you want to use a battery for a long SLOW relative low current relative deep discharge that's a Deep Cycle Battery application. For short term but high current like starting, that's a normal automotive starting battery application.

Another option is to see if you might find an electronic 6 in 12 out converter and there's a chance the tractors charging system (if good) can supply all the energy required to run the converter and lights. Id be hesitant to spend near a hundred bucks on a battery you seldom use.

However a good 12 volt lawn mower battery even though NOT a deep cycle, is much cheaper and when finished you can throw it on a 12 volt charger and have it all ready to go for the next time. That's likely the easiest n cheapest solution...?. If the lights are LED a lawn mower battery can go a longgggggggggg way and be easy peasey??.

Any 6 volt LED'S you can find to work ???????????

John T

kcm.MN · Nov 5, 2018

If you know of folks (friends, neighbors) who have a boat, you could ask to borrow their marine battery. At this time of year, most boats aren't being used, and this would be a good way to ensure the borrowed battery is put away with a good charge.

Another idea would be to get 2 or 3 lawn mower batteries and connect them in parallel. Not sure how much load you plan to have, but I would size my inverter to handle twice my expected load....unless they are 12v light strings.

RCP · Nov 5, 2018

Is an inverter necessary? LED lights are used frequently on trailers etc that have 12 VDC power. it would be interesting to see if your 6 volt battery would drive the LEDs that you have. If you decide to try it and it doesn't work, reverse the leads and see if it will work.

Later
Rich

old · Nov 5, 2018

To bad your not closer to me. I have a friend who works at an auto parts tore and she gets me good core batteries and many are deep cycle type. All the store cares about is having a core so she gets good used batteries for the cost of a core. While there not the best battery to use in a tractor I do so since the price it right and right now I have 4 plus not being used since the tractors are parked for the winter

Sam Womer (PA) · Nov 5, 2018

Just use a starter pack with an inverter.

John M · Nov 5, 2018

Just take the one out of the wifes car. Turn on the lights and blow up at the last minute. When you get home, charge it up and put it back in. (And hope she dont need the car while your gone!) Last parade I did with my tractor, I had an inverter, running IIRC 200 lights, and went for about an hour no trouble. I dont think I even recharged the battery when I put it back in the tractor I took it out of.

banjoman09 · Nov 5, 2018

thanks!

onefarmer · Nov 5, 2018

Oh yea that's what I would do. Why buy a battery for a one time use? Just borrow the biggest and newest one out of something. Two if you think you might need the extra power. One night of use like that won't hurt it and if it does it wasn't going to last much longer anyway.

banjoman09 · Nov 5, 2018

Good idea! but- I would have to get married first and that would really be expensive! I will just use a good battery out of something here on the place; my original question was; " Is a Deep cell battery better for this than a regular battery" Thanks.

John M · Nov 6, 2018

Yes, deep cycle would be better.

newhollandnut · Nov 6, 2018

I have a small quiet run Honda generator. Not sure the watts but it?s not much. I would check and see if your local rental store has one that way you don?t have a battery sitting around that you may or may not use. You can barely here it run and uses very little gas. That would be my plan of attack

PA Case Man · Nov 6, 2018

Whenever I need lights on a wagon I have lights mounted on brackets and prewired with lamp wire, then I power them with one of those hot
shot or booster boxes. I also have my prewired lights set up that I can add a flasher if I want. Works great!!! Steve

John T · Nov 6, 2018

To your actual QUESTION " Is a Deep cell battery better for this than a regular battery"

As I posted below here the ANSWER to your QUESTION

In any situation where you want to use a battery for a long SLOW relative low current relative deep discharge that's a Deep Cycle Battery application. For short term but high current like starting, that's a normal automotive starting battery application.

Hope this helps

John T ODE Banjo beginner picker

banjoman09 · Nov 6, 2018

ok ...thanks....keep playing!

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Nov 7, 2018

The blowup will be your big load. It's blower will pull more current than all the other lights combined. Check to see if a friend has a small 800 to 1200 watt range generator. Even if it is not one of the real quiet ones it will not be noticed, there is enough background noise to cover it.

If no luck there, hook the setup to your truck battery and use jumper cables for a test run. If it will power it for the needed time you have an idea of what it will take. If it runs the battery down recharge it and consider how large a battery will be required.

Christmas Float lights........

banjoman09

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