Power inverter with self-ballasted Mercury Vapor lamp setup - BugGuide.Net

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Equipment, set-ups and techniques » Traps & lures » Lights & Light Traps

Photo#645512

Copyright © 2012 Jeff Gruber

Power inverter with self-ballasted Mercury Vapor lamp setup

Cobra 400-watt power inverter connected to car battery, Exo Terra Wire Light (large - supports 250 watt bulb) plugged into power inverter, Plusrite 160 Watt Self-Ballasted Mercury Vapor Lamp (clear, image shows frosted one). This just shows the pieces. I wouldn't leave the hood open and would have a sheet out. :)

Warning - I have not field tested this setup to see how long you can run it before it drains your battery, but the power inverter has low voltage alarm and shutdown.

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Contributed by Jeff Gruber on 22 May, 2012 - 10:12pm
Last updated 24 October, 2012 - 3:44pm

Thoughts re: lamp setup

Is this a light to lure insects? I'm not a bug-collecting guy.

Anyways, do you need that amount of light output?
If not, you might consider mounting some LED heads together.
I'll bet that would use a LOT less power, thus longer battery life.
Quick and dirty would be attaching some flashlights to a fork-like structure and using rechargeable batteries.
More techie would involve wiring them together and plugging into cigarette lighter or battery connector - after matching voltage of lamps and battery.
In the movie business, we sometimes use battery belts. Rechargeable, 12 volt output, completely portable (although somewhat heavy and cumbersome).

Just some thoughts before my second cup of coffee.
That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it :)

… ponderoni, 8 June, 2012 - 12:18pm

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12V High intensity bulbs

How about using halogen 12V high intensity bulds (like those used in old style desk lamps), and avoid having to use an inverter?
And if you like, you could place a milk white globe over them to diffuse the light.

… Kurt Hasselman, 28 July, 2012 - 1:40pm

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Nice

My setup is very similar. I have found that with my inverter, I need to also include an ice pack for it to rest on and I need to leave the hood up even during winter. Maybe it's just my equipment, but my experience has been that the inverter shuts down very quickly when it warms up or when it doesn't get enough air. Good luck!

… Brady Richards, 23 May, 2012 - 4:10pm

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