There are at least 3 benefits when existing loads are changed from 12VDC to
120VAC. Wire resistance drops. Some switches last longer. The same circuits
can be used for 12VDC equipment if the inverter fails and during
emergencies.
Shurflo and Thin-Lite are still manufactured in Southern California. See
http://legacy.shurflo.com/pages/profile/more.html and
http://www.thinlite.com/thin-lite%20profile.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Fink" <[email protected]>
To: "R Ray Walters" <[email protected]>
Cc: "RE-wrenches" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2010 10:23 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] sources of DC equipment
Ray;
I concur on the Thin-lites for DC FL. Bomb-proof.
I've had better luck than you on the Shur-Flo pumps it seems -- 3-5 years
each in full time service, then needing a diaphragm rebuild kit (cheap). I
think I have about 8 of these installed for customers (and myself) right
now. I always use a pressure tank for domestic, but my spring pumping
systems don't have that. Most customers just keep an extra pump on hand to
minimize downtime if there is a problem. I lost one DC Shurflo 2088 to
lightning, improved the grounding and it hasn't happened since.
DC systems are a hassle for both the installer and customer. Price out a
12-pack of 120 VAC CFLs at Home Depot vs. the same 12-pack of DC
CFLS....the difference would buy lots of 12-packs of beer! I have DC
circuits in every room of my house, in addition to AC....but as time has
gone by (since 1991) more and more of them on the DC side sit idle
anymore. Same with my customers.
DAN FINK
Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
R Ray Walters wrote:
We've had the same experience with DC CFLs, about 50% return rate. They
just can't handle voltages below 12 v, so we quit carrying them.
After years of working on DC wiring, just go to AC. You could wire all
the lights on one circuit in 12 AWG. (instead of running 10 AWG or
bigger, and then trying to pigtail down to 12, for the switch, and then
trying to find DC rated switches.......ugh)
It's just plain faster, cheaper, and more reliable to use an inverter
these days. I would only use DC lighting with LEDs, and only for very
limited (1 to 2 light) systems.
If you do have to do DC fluorescents, at least use the Thin light long
tube fixtures, they'll last a lot longer.
The only advantage to going DC I can see, is on RVs, because you can tie
into the vehicle electrical system. Every small cabin remote cabin system
I've worked on, eventually grew and got an inverter. If the wiring is
already there, you'll be happier.
For pumps, I've had the FLowlights consistently last over 10 years in
full time service. THe Shurflos have there place, but only last about 1
to 2 years in full-time service.
For part time use cabin, the Shurflo would probably last longer,
especially if you add an external pressure switch and pressure tank (and
then the system would be ready for the upgrade to the FLowlight, after
the SHurflo burns out)
R. Walters
[email protected]
Solar Engineer
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