Grid Down Lighting

[JohnyMac]

We have been an advocate at the redoubt of using Aladdin Lamps fueled with kerosene for years. Well, kerosene goes bad and synthetic kerosene, which has a long shelf life, costs around $13- a gallon. Then add to that the cost of mantles, which are delicate, and go for $20- a mantle now. It was time to look at alternative lighting sources.

MrsMac and I have tried several different types and finally we have settled on the below light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YP31Q9R?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

On high, they are similar to a 60W incessant light bulb. On high, they work for about 6-hours. Medium they work for about 10-hours. You charge the lamps using a USB to USB C cord. You can charge them using any USB wall charger, (Wall charger does not come with the lamp) your computer, or your solar panels. Using a wall socket, they take about 2-hours to charge fully.

We now have six. They are in every room and are ready to turn on if needed. Six of these lamps equals the cost of one Aladdin lamp. No Heat from the lamp and no volatile kerosene to keep on hand.

What are you using for light in a grid down situation?

[Felix]

Still in the stone age here... kerosene wick lamps, coleman white gas lanterns, candles, just a couple of battery-powered LED lanterns (non-rechargeable directly)
Saw an interesting history channel type you tube where a guy tried to recreate medieval lighting of the commoner by processing a variety of water reed.     I think people back then probably didn't stay up late.

[Sir John Honeybucket]

I had wick lamps aboard the boat for years, but because I cannot make my own lamp oil, unless it WHALE OIL.

 I went with LED 12volt lamps and also electric backups, because I generated my own electricity, using solar. Here at the house, it's a similar system.

~ Sir John Honeybucket

[Deathstyle]

Tea light candles suck in comparison to votive candles. Best deal I?ve found is at Michaels art stores. I put them in glass cylinders indoors during cololer seasons but currently for summer months I use them as outdoor lighting. I put them in metal containers of previously used cirtus outdoor candles that were used to repeal mosquitoes. So far they do a good job lighting the area around my houses side french doors that lead to the yard and driveway

[Nemo]

I'm in the dark.  Other than sticking a finger in my eye for starliight.

Nemo

[DMCakhunter]

Primarily candles and / or goal zero lighthouse lanterns. We do have a few kerosene wick lamps as well but don't use them outside of winter. We also have a number of Ryobi 18volt power tools and have a number of hand lights, lantern and power supply that use the same batteries.

[JohnyMac]

All good stuff folks. 

[Jackalope]

    We have backups to the backups.  Primary would be led lighting running off of our solar system or led lights running off rechargeable batteries.  We have kerosene lamps, and finally candle lamps.  We went with Dewalt tools, and have the 12vdc battery chargers which can run off our solar system, plus we have lights and inverters which can run directly off of the Dewalt batteries.

[Sir John Honeybucket]

and remember, your car or truck is an alternate energy system, even if not drivable.  A solar panel on the battery ( think charge controller) makes it a heavy, but useful source of high Amperage 12 vdc, useful for radios, invertors for 110 VAC &etc. for using 'normal' chargers and more.  We have a 'golf cart' with a huge battery bank that I might just add a 4x 12volt solar 'roof' to , to make a mobile solar power system.  48vdc invertors can REALLY crank out a lot of power.

dr Si John Honeybucket

[Felix]

Hope this is correct section forum for question regarding "headlamps".

Please, thoughts on rechargeable versus battery handlamps, how many lumens needed/desirable.

Am still at load inventorying-decision making for solar system sizing- hope to have sufficient A/C to run critical items by this time next year (God willing that so much time can even be allotted).
Currently have a mix of battery and rechargeable items (mostly dog training and hand-held flashlights)
Also, brands of rechargeable  batteries to buy or avoid?
Thanks!

[DMCakhunter]

Depends on your needs, location and access to batteries/USB charging.
We use iprotec rebel headlamps every day, well, night . They are small, lightweight, easy to recharge. Used for taking the dog out after dark when I want to avoid stepping on leavings that my wife did not pick up. If you get one, read the fine print that says to remove the battery then reinstall - this removes the DEMO mode from memory. Otherwise it will only stay on for 10 seconds. The button is easy to access, but it is also easy to turn on by accident in a pocket. To travel, it will need a case. I have one of these in every vehicle.
For hunting, I like the princeton tech Apex. A large light, comes in either usb charging or AA battery version. There are several lumen output versions. Nice feature is one switch controls the main beam and another controls the smaller LED's. Easier to manage. Another powerful headlamp is the black diamond Icon headlamp. I prefer the older model 400 lumen version, but, it has a single button that you have to press thru to get to the setting you want. It is lighter than the Apex.
As far as battery vs rechargable - I prefer AA battery units when I am away from home. Rechargables when at home.

[Felix]

Thanks DM, some items I will look up, probably order a battery model - do have a solar battery charger and some batteries.   Perhaps a direct rechargeable if/when I get a true solar installation.
I do have a 400(?) model but it goes through its 3 AAAs pretty fast.