I originally posted this on NOLA's Candles / Fire post. I then thought it probably deserved its own post as I am sure folks on this forum are wondering, "What am I going to do for light." Thanks NOLA for spurring this discussion.
OK gents, lets take this incident and learn from it.
What are you going to use when the electric goes out?
Candles - Poor light source and more fires are caused by candles than any other light source
Battery powered lamps - Good clean light however you need to be able to recharge them. How are you going to do that
once the electric is out
Kerosene - Good light source and stores well but like candles can be dangerous
12 Volt florescent lights - Good source of light but how are you going to power them?
I will share with you what we are currently using at the BOL and have used for six years now.
1) We use kerosene in Aladdin Lamps:
http://www.lehmans.com/store/Lights___Aladdin___Aladdin_Lamps___Aladdin_Aluminum_Shelf_Oil_Lamp___A2315#A2315A23152 and Ships lamps:
http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/product1126.html2) Next we use Coleman battery lamps:
http://www.coleman.com/product/twin-high-power-led-lantern/2000001808?contextCategory=10451#.UEno9qCsGvM powered with NIMH rechargeable batteries:
http://www.all-battery.com/4pcsDNiMHRechargeableBatteries-91119.aspx3) Last we have 12 volt florescent lights in our old cabin which is now our reloading shed.
1a) If we were to live at the BOL 24/7 my estimate is we would use 55 gallons of kerosene a year for our six lamps. You can buy
"off road" Kerosene cheaper (No tax) then the Kerosene you buy at the gas station.
2a) We recharge our lamp batteries via our solar charging system. It takes about 6 hours to recharge 4 D batteries and about
half that time for AA & AAA batteries.
3a) We have one big ass solar panel that charges 3 group 27 marine deep cycle batteries. These deep cycle batteries provide
power to charge drill & saw batteries, florescent lights, our D, C, AA, AAA batteries, and the Sirius radio. We also have a
inverter hooked up to the system which gives us AC for small appliances.
I would be interested to hear what you are going to use.