Any suggestions for DC fluorescent lighting?

[tc-vt]

I'm going to wire for both DC and AC in my off grid home and am looking for suggestions with the DC lighting options.  I'm going to use standard Edison screw-in fixtures for the DC.  I'm deciding between using the the Edison style screw-in DC ballasts which use standard fluorescent bulbs:

http://www.solarseller.com/dc_fluorescent_lights__12___24_volt__ballasts__screw_in_ballasts__low_voltage7d.htm

or the DC Edison screw-in compact fluorescents:

http://www.solarseller.com/dc_fluorescent_lights__12___24_volt__ballasts__screw_in_ballasts__low_voltage7e.htm

The costs are nearly the same.  The compact fluorescents are smaller and will fit into more fixtures.  The separate ballasts are made in the US (can you believe it?) which I consider a plus.  Any input or experience with any of these out there?  Thanks.

Tom

[MountainDon]

I considered those same lights. Hemmed and hawed for a long time. In the end I decided against them and wired the cabin for 120 VAC except for a couple of the Thinlite fluorescent fixtures in 24 VDC for under cabinet use. We've had those in the RV for years and love them. The cabin will be using a 24 VDC battery bank, hence the 24 Volts instead of 12. And the main reason I wanted them was to be able to have some light in the unlikely event that the inverter (Outback) crapped out.

One of my reasons for not mixing the 12 or 24 VDC and the 120 VAC, both with standard screw in bases was the possibility of confusion. If I'm not there and a lamp needed changing I didn't want a low  voltage DC lamp to be placed in a 120 VAC socket.

Another reason was the mix of low and high voltage wiring was getting to the point of being crazy and costing extra. The ability to purchase 120 VAC CFL's almost anywhere and the low voltage FL lamps almost nowhere was another. One plus for the two piece low voltage FL's is that it is only the ballasts that are voltage rated, the tubes are all the same no matter what the voltage, AC or DC.

Anyhow before I reached that conclusion I had decided on the one piece units because they were smaller and would have fit the various fixtures and table lamps we planned on using.

BTW, if you've never bought from solarsellercom before they have great service. I've bought a number of things from them over the years and everything always arrives well packed, undamaged and on time. Good pricing to boot, and I love the fact that their website allows you to see the number of units in stock as you browse.

[glenn kangiser]

I'd still run a small inverter if it was me, and just use CF's.

[tc-vt]

Thanks.  I am running an inverter now.  The DC is in the event, as Don said, the inverter fails so I am not stuck in the dark with only gas lights.  Also, if at any particular time all I need is light, I can use a little less battery power (2 amps less) by not running the inverter.

This reminds me of another thought I have had.  I will be putting a few DC receptacles in for whatever future use they might serve for a DC appliance or even a floor lamp.  Any suggestions for a type of plug other than a 220v receptacle to use for  the DC so as to avoid confusion?  Of course it will all be labeled - in 5 different languages.  But which languages? 
Thanks again.

Tom

[glenn kangiser]

That's about it -- there is a small 220 one I think that has a sideways plug prong  in it.   |-  kinda like that.

[tc-vt]

I just found this page showing all of the connectors used in the U.S.:

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/SADE-5TNRML_R0_EN.pdf

One of those should work well. 

I have long thought we are long overdue for a new standard for 12v DC power connection, especially for use in cars.  It's crazy that we are still using a connector that was originally designed (I believe) as a cigarette lighter.  The plugs are always creeping out of the socket as you drive along.  Thanks Glenn.

Tom

[MountainDon]

Use of the NEMA 6-15 or 6-20 type (P suffix for Plug, R suffix for receptacle) is NEC approved for low voltage use in a residence, as long as there are no 220-240 volt AC circuits wired into the building. I've used them. My Lowe's carry them but the HD does not. Go figure?