Neon strip lights

[Sy-Revolution]

Hi Folks,
I'm looking at replacing all my interor lighting (it's old!) and got one of these neon strips (only tried the red ones so far) they give off plenty of light but are they as juicy in watt terms as 'normal' bulbs or are they akin to LEDs? No mention on the packaging nor can I find any info on the web....any ideas?

Like these:

http://www.speedydelivery.co.uk/car-led-neon-lighting/white-neon-undercar-lighting-kits.shtml

or these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Desktop-PC-Mods-2x...oQQcmdZViewItem

 

[pappaecho]

I have got several such lights with 12 inch tubes and they use 8 watts according to the one on my desk. I would suggest they produce 2-3 times the light as a tungsten bulb, for the same wattage. Like Leds they run cold - which means they are more efficient. Also like leds the light frequency tends to much colder as it has more blue and less red light. We have a plug -in fluorescent, which we hang on the mizzen boom when we go ashore, which uses very little from the battery but does contribute to light pollution

 

[TrueBlue]

I use Double D lamps from these people to light my cabins and they're bright - no need to fumble around. (I use conventional tungsten reading lamps when I want to do that)

 

[Sy-Revolution]

I'm going to use the 12" red ones for night sailing, the larger 36" white tubes will perhaps be too heavy on the juice if the 12" are 7 watts a piece. I'll take a look at the double D lamps that you mention.

Cheers.

 

[Searush]

I have a couple of 12" caravan fluorescents that are much lower consumption than the old bulbs, but they play havoc with radio reception due to the wide range of fluctuating rf generated from the AC converters in them.

If I want the radio on of an evening I light a gimballed parafin light - no power at all, lovely warm atmospheric light. Shame about the smell if I don't keep the wick trimmed!

 

[jbweston]

TrueBlue - interested in the Double D lamps. Followed web link to Marlec, thanks. They sound very good. But I can't see full dimensions etc nor that they sell them direct over the web - where did you get yours, please?

Julian

 

[William_H]

I reckon that LED is the new way to go compared to flourescent which while the tube may be rated at 8 watts (when running on 240V AC) the current drain is more because of ineficiencies in the power converter.
I also don't like the radio noise. olewill

 

[Sy-Revolution]

The difficulty with LED is that they just don't produce enough light (yet) for my liking, and the light they do produce is awful. Unless of course you can get hold of the warm white units but at the moment they come in a limited range of sizes/shapes.
Couple of years and I think LED will be the answer but for me not just yet.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Local caravan shop (Purbrook) does a hanging 12V striplight which can also free stand. Plugs into a fag lighter socket or clips to the battery. Costs a fiver and are thus some of the best value boat bits I own.