How to Hook Up a DC Battery to Lights

To hook a battery to lights, you will need an inverter, as well as a good battery charger. Batteries provide a direct current (DC). This electric current flows in one direction steadily. The lead-acid batteries, such as those found in automobiles, are the oldest type of rechargeable battery (DC). The deep cycle athe marine/motorhome battery are the best choices. Inverters are electrical devices that convert direct current electricity (DC) stored in a battery to an alternating current (AC) used by lights. The size of an inverter is measured by its maximum continuous output in watts, which measure power, not energy. Almost every AC-powered device has an electrical requirements tag on its cord or surface that will show wattage.

Things You'll Need

• Battery, lead-acid deep cycle (frequent usage) or marine/motorhome
• Inverter (size depends on watts used by lights)
• Lights

Instructions

1. Decide how often you will use the lights that will be run off of the battery to determine which battery to use. If infrequently, a marine/motorhome battery will be a good choice. If regularly, a true deep cycle may be the best option.

2. Determine which lights will be run off the battery. That will help determine the inverter to buy. Check the watts on the electrical requirement tag located on the cord or surface of the light(s) to determine the correct size inverter to use. The inverter's rating must be larger than the total wattage of all of the AC loads you plan to run at one time. For example, you will need 100 watts for a notebook computer and fax machine; 8,000 watts can power a house.

3. Place the battery on a flat, dry level surface with the inverter next to it.

4. Check polarity of battery posts. A battery has two poles, or posts. The positive battery post is usually marked POS, P, or + and is larger than the negative post, which is usually marked NEG, N, or -.

5. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the inverter. Make sure the inverter is off. The inverter will have two cables with clips attached, red and black. Make sure the clips don't touch each other. Connect the positive (red) inverter clip to the positive post of the battery. Then connect the negative (black) inverter clip to battery.

6. Plug your light into the inverter, turn the inverter on, turn your light on, and enjoy the artificial sunshine.

Tips & Warnings

• The features of an automotive lead-acid battery provide the high current required by automobile starter motors. However, they are damaged by deep discharge. Deep discharge is discharging a battery to 20 percent or less of its full charge capacity, so these batteries are not ideal for operating lights. Lead-acid deep cycle batteries are designed for situations where the batteries are regularly discharged. These batteries are used in applications like photovoltaic systems. Their large plates can withstand many discharges. Marine/motorhome batteries are a compromise between the automobile and the deep cycle, they are able to be discharged to a greater degree than an automotive battery, but less so than deep cycle battery.

• Batteries can be dangerous. Wear eye protection when working with them. Keep flames and sparks away from batteries. Make sure the clips connected to the battery make good contact.

References

• Power Inverter Guide