Car Lights off 240v.

[christo]

Hi,

I'm not an electrician as I suspect will become obvious with my question.

I've seen a programme on tv where they had banks of car lights rigged up to work off the mains.

I thought it might look pretty good especially if you could still dip the lights as in a car and effectively have a built in dimmer.

Anyway, is it possible to do this and how might I go about it?

I'm guessing by way of a step down transformer but are there particular types I'd need ?, Where would I get one?, and how many lights could I work together with equal efficiency?

Thanks in advance for not laughing.

 

[electricAl]

Hi,



Thanks in advance for not laughing.

Sorry, but it just couldn`t resist it

 

[christo]

Does that mean you don't know the answer then?

 

[boatnik1]

You could connect 20 of them in series with a relay to switch from high to dip. I've done it for a show.
A 220-12v transformer would need to be rated at approx 5a+ output for each lamp if you connected them in parallel.
Some downlighter transformers give quite high outputs. One intended to run four 50w downlights would handle three headlights under 65w each. Best not playing with mains unless you know what your doing.

 

[christo]

Thanks very much boatnik.
Really helpful.
I was thinking of maybe 3,4,or5 at a time set into a box a bit like coloured disco lights.
It might be hard to imagine but what I have in mind could make quite a feature and perhaps be appealing to car fans or people into industrial looking pieces of furniture.
Maybe even brushed steel boxes.

I know it's probably a bit off target for this forum but the advice is really appreciated.

 

[mechelec]

Like chrismas tree lights you could run them in series straight off the mains. I do not know how many you would need as it depends on the wattage, resistance, voltdrop accross each lamp. I would not try it though as the insulation on a car light fitting is designed for 12v not 240v