old driving lights for a shop light ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazer2007 · 12-05-2018, 12:00 PM

I have a couple of driving lights that I,ve had for years and never installed them. I thought they would make a good flood light for the shop. I have lots of 12 volt power supplies but the light just says 12 volts halogen but nothing for amps or anything else. I looked online but nothing came up. I want to hook to 110 shop wiring

68C15 · 12-06-2018, 08:14 PM

If you know the wattage you can do the math and determine amperage

rpmerf · 12-07-2018, 07:53 AM

standard wattage should be about 55

watts = volts * amps, so watts / volts = amps.

55w/12v = 4.58a

I thought about doing something similar. I had one bulb go out and replaced them both so they would match, so I still had a good working one. Wasn't sure the best way to mount it for a work light. Figured it was going to be more work than it was worth considering the LED lights you can get nowadays.

Might be easier if you use fog lights as they have built in mounting brackets.

**Grumpy old man** · 12-07-2018, 08:06 AM

This is a joke right ? You can't plug a 12 volt bulb into a 110 outlet . The most you'll get is a flash as it overloads

rpmerf · 12-07-2018, 08:43 AM

You would need a DC converter. Power brick, wall brick, whatever you call it. 12v converters are somewhat common, but 4.5 amps is a lot. Might be able to use a laptop power supply. Voltage would need to be 15v or less to avoid burning out the bulb. Amperage can be higher than needed. It will only pull the amps it needs.

Part #2 is how you will mount the bulb so it is usable. if you plan to have it in the same location always, you should be able to just cut a hole in a piece of wood and mount it. Having it portable gets a little more difficult.

blazer2007 · 12-07-2018, 10:00 AM

Its one of these old one,easy to mount to camera tri pod. I just hate throwing things out and I do have some old lap top power supplys

rpmerf · 12-07-2018, 10:23 AM

Oh yes, they would be easy to mount up.

In my calculation I used 55W, but that should be what EACH bulb pulls, so you would want something capable of more like 9-10a.

Might go for something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Car-Power...rds=12v+10+amp

Wire the lights up to a lighter plug so you can power it from the car if needed.

blazer2007 · 12-07-2018, 08:51 PM

Thanks RPM. Like I said before ,I hate throwing out good stuff . I clean out my garage and end up going back thinking of a way to use it. It,s winter here so I have to keep my self busy. Have a bunch to do on the trucks but most involves painting . a couple weeks and the days get longer. Looking forward to that instead of Xmas.

12-05-2018, 12:00 PM	#1
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	old driving lights for a shop light ? I have a couple of driving lights that I,ve had for years and never installed them. I thought they would make a good flood light for the shop. I have lots of 12 volt power supplies but the light just says 12 volts halogen but nothing for amps or anything else. I looked online but nothing came up. I want to hook to 110 shop wiring

12-07-2018, 07:53 AM	#3
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? standard wattage should be about 55 watts = volts * amps, so watts / volts = amps. 55w/12v = 4.58a I thought about doing something similar. I had one bulb go out and replaced them both so they would match, so I still had a good working one. Wasn't sure the best way to mount it for a work light. Figured it was going to be more work than it was worth considering the LED lights you can get nowadays. Might be easier if you use fog lights as they have built in mounting brackets. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

12-07-2018, 08:06 AM	#4
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? This is a joke right ? You can't plug a 12 volt bulb into a 110 outlet . The most you'll get is a flash as it overloads __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

12-07-2018, 08:43 AM	#5
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? You would need a DC converter. Power brick, wall brick, whatever you call it. 12v converters are somewhat common, but 4.5 amps is a lot. Might be able to use a laptop power supply. Voltage would need to be 15v or less to avoid burning out the bulb. Amperage can be higher than needed. It will only pull the amps it needs. Part #2 is how you will mount the bulb so it is usable. if you plan to have it in the same location always, you should be able to just cut a hole in a piece of wood and mount it. Having it portable gets a little more difficult. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

12-07-2018, 10:00 AM	#6
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? Its one of these old one,easy to mount to camera tri pod. I just hate throwing things out and I do have some old lap top power supplys Attached Images

12-06-2018, 08:14 PM	#2
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? If you know the wattage you can do the math and determine amperage __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

12-07-2018, 10:23 AM	#7
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? Oh yes, they would be easy to mount up. In my calculation I used 55W, but that should be what EACH bulb pulls, so you would want something capable of more like 9-10a. Might go for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Car-Power...rds=12v+10+amp Wire the lights up to a lighter plug so you can power it from the car if needed. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

12-07-2018, 08:51 PM	#8
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: old driving lights for a shop light ? Thanks RPM. Like I said before ,I hate throwing out good stuff . I clean out my garage and end up going back thinking of a way to use it. It,s winter here so I have to keep my self busy. Have a bunch to do on the trucks but most involves painting . a couple weeks and the days get longer. Looking forward to that instead of Xmas.



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