The Lamps, Lanterns and lighting thread

[jerrymrc]

So now that we are off and running let's talk about seeing in the dark. At the very bottom of the list are candles. The only good thing I can say about them is that they will store forever and need no maintenance at all. I make my own.

Next up the list are wick type lanterns. They come in all shapes and sizes and are cheap. I have a few indoor ones and some of the Detz outdoor ones. They also give off some heat but are not very bright. First pic is a 14" double cut wick lantern.

Now we get to the two-way street. Up until a couple of years ago LED technology was lacking so the way to go was the Aladdin Lamp. Aladdins are the brightest non pressurized lamp out there. They are not cheap but they work. They also give off 2500 btu's of heat and are very efficient. Second pic is the Aladdin. Same exposure settings as the first pic. Here in Colorado Aladdin's will need a light booster that fits on the chimney.

Back to the LED's. Last year I embarked on a project to outfit my camper with them. I found a supplier of 1/2 watt LED's and went to work. I also built a small desk lamp that worked great. Because of the nature of what I needed I built my own bulbs (third pic). The end result was I went from using 40 watts to 8 or so in the camper per fixture.

I am now leaning to using the Aladdin's in the winter and the LED's in the summer. I have the ability to power the LED's and the run time from just a small 10Ah battery was very good.

I will touch on pressurized lanterns. The Petromax is very bright and very loud. Colemans are great for outside lighting and I do have a couple.

Just some thoughts.

[SSChameleon]

I picked up a rechargeable LED lantern/radio on clearance at wall-mart for $8 last year. I wish I had picked up two or three. Rechargeable LED lanterns can still be found for under $30. Since the work with a mechanical arm crank generator I would feel more comfortable having two since eventually all things mechanical will break.

[hip55]

I have one of those flashlights that does not require batteries, but does require you to shake it back & forth to create a charge for the LEDs.

It works, but not too bright, and the charge isn't vary long.

But it is maintenance free.

[sniper7]

I have a coleman propane latern...thing puts off some good heat and a ton of light.

I always have 2 flashlights in my pack, and plenty of extra batteries. I have one superbight cree light that could easily be used for spotting, and have 2 extra sets of batteries for it...they last about 1-1.5 hours per charge. the other is a maglight for various things and can probably go 6 hours on a couple AA's.

[sniper7]

At the very bottom of the list are candles. The only good thing I can say about them is that they will store forever and need no maintenance at all. I make my own.

How much ear wax do you produce??? i don't think could ever make a candle


but really, how do you make your own?

[jerrymrc]

How much ear wax do you produce??? i don't think could ever make a candle


but really, how do you make your own?

Paraffin, coffee can, thermometer, wicks and molds. You can use milk cartons for molds. Buy the block of paraffin at Michaels with one of those 40-50% off one item coupons. That is where I also get my wicks and other junk from. You can get into making candles for less than $25.

I re-melt leftover wax and save the small glass that the candles from the dollar store came in. I also have 2 molds. One for votive s and one for a simple square but mainly I just reuse the glass. I also have colors and scent's for the ones around the house.

It also was a popular pastime to do with the Kids when they were younger.

[sniper7]

Paraffin, coffee can, thermometer, wicks and molds. You can use milk cartons for molds. Buy the block of paraffin at Michaels with one of those 40-50% off one item coupons. That is where I also get my wicks and other junk from. You can get into making candles for less than $25.

I re-melt leftover wax and save the small glass that the candles from the dollar store came in. I also have 2 molds. One for votive s and one for a simple square but mainly I just reuse the glass. I also have colors and scent's for the ones around the house.

It also was a popular pastime to do with the Kids when they were younger.

Very cool, looks like I need to give that a try!

[gnihcraes]

How much ear wax do you produce??? i don't think could ever make a candle


but really, how do you make your own?

mybuster recently tested this theory on tv... yuk.

[jerrymrc]

Very cool, looks like I need to give that a try!

If ya give it a day I will show ya. Just making some now.

[Troublco]

If ya give it a day I will show ya. Just making some now.

I'd be interested in seeing that too. I have a couple of the Deitz lanterns and several LED flashlights with plenty of spare batteries, but those will only last a matter of weeks. Definately need a longer term process in place.