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I didn't know where to post this so here I go. I'm building a 3,000 sf steel building to put my cars in. My brainstorm idea is to light the exterior with 12-volt headlights with a low voltage transformer like Malibu lights. I'm thinking '30s vintage streetrod headlight buckets. So here's the question. How many amps does a typical low beam 12-volt bulb draw? I'll need 6 to 8 lights and need to determine transformer size. Has anyone else already done this? I'll take any comments.

A typical 7” 12 volt sealed beam headlight is rated at 55 watts on low beam and 60 watts on high.

I sure would consider doing something that allows you to use LED bulbs. Even using LED tail light bulbs in an original 30’s headlight with a reflector would give you the effect. They would take a whole lot less amperage.

Thanks Rusty. That makes a lot of sense. 6 bulbs at 60 amps equals 360 amps. That's a huge transformer. Good advice.

Watts not amps.

Rusty, I misread your response. You're talking watts. That converts to 5 amps per bulb or 30 amps for 6 bulbs. I currently have a 100 amp transformer running 12 1156 automotive bulbs on my house with no issues. I'm going to have to look into this further. I like the LED idea. But, LED bulbs are 5 to 10 times more expensive than conventional seal beams.

I think the savings in electricity use and bulb replacement/maintenance cost alone will more than make up for the initial cost.

That is a pretty big transformer! 1200 watts is the type of load a heat gun requires. For comparison an 1156 bulb pulls uses 28 watts. Your current (get the pun) set-up with 12 bulbs uses a total of about 340 watts.

hi, I am in plant city, and put up a 40 x 80 ft 2 story metal building, I installed 4 large skylights across the roof, they have been there for over 15 years, plenty of free light, no leaks or other problems, been manually cleaned about 4 times and have plenty of light throughout the whole building, hope this helps. DLZ