A month supply of "light"

[rockydog]

Hi all!

What would you think is an ideal solution for a month's supply of "light"? Would you prefer a reasonable battery-operated lantern along with a slew of batteries? Or would kerosene lanterns and a few gallons of kerosene be better? Which would have a longer shelf life?

[angelofwar]

Get a quality adjutable led lantern and a quality handheld light with multiple settings. Slowly stock up on lithiums and grab a solar aa charger and quality aa's. you'll have dependable light for years

[Dogan]

Get a quality adjutable led lantern and a quality handheld light with multiple settings. Slowly stock up on lithiums and grab a solar aa charger and quality aa's. you'll have dependable light for years

This. But I would have to advise three items(really four):

AA Led lantern
AA Led handheld with a max brightness of over 100 lumens and a low of <10
AA Led headlamp
Small solar panel. Not a AA charging one, but a small, preferably flexible one which could be used to charge phones, radios, batteries, laptops or even trickle charge car batteries. One of these with a built in battery pack would be even better, so that you could use excess power to dump charge cellphones and such.

Cell commonality is almost a must. I say almost because all my EDC lights and my battery powered lanterns are AA, but my TLR is CR123 and my go-to tertiary light/favorite headlamp is a Petzl E+Lite which takes 2032s, IIRC. Reasons being that I have not yet found a quality weapon light which is 1913 rail ready in AA and over 100 lumens, and the Petzl is so light it feels like it's not even there.

[TacAir]

A couple of these and a 5 gallon pail of kerosene. Shelf life - a lot better than batteries....

[AnonEmous]

Assuming you have regular access to daylight during this month and are not near the poles during winter or in a mine, I recommend you check this post http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 34&t=83824 about how to make some great standby, solar powered lighting.

[Aceman]

Better approach: Go to sleep when it is dark.

That and one good LED light with a spare set of batteries. Done.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Better approach: Go to sleep when it is dark.

That and one good LED light with a spare set of batteries. Done.

Right, because nothing bad could happenrequiring light while your power is out for a month.

~sent via spacearmadillogram~

[Woods Walker]

During the last 18 months or so we lost power 3 times for nearly a week. I posted some methods in the below MBO that were used during a multiple day blackout for light. I didn't use many batteries because of the long runtimes of modern LED flashlights and headlamps. Also used with some old school candles and even solar lights.

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 4&t=101897" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[raptor]

I would suggest a variety of illumination devices.
Here are some links with some alternatives:

A good dietz lantern is tough to beat although it produces a lot of heat and the light is not intense.

A test of 8 lanterns
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 14&t=89998" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A thread about a versatile multi-day lighting system. Add a 40+ watt solar panel to the setup and you could easily have light for not a month but rather months.
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... =6&t=57197" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This thread was mentioned above, but bears repeating.
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 34&t=83824" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would also consider a couple of these with a few lithium batteries:
http://www.9voltlight.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As well as a hand crank lantern and flashlight:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17730990?adid ... la&veh=sem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Crank-Illumi ... flashlight" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dustytomes]

You know most solar yard lights have one aa rechargeable in them.
Can't talk the Mrs. into "Unnecessary" light preps. How about some nice landscape lighting?

[6UNF1GHTER]

I'll probably get some flak here, because of this. Ahh well -

For the Home -
A couple of good old school oil lamps, and some candles would work in a pinch.
How many, and how much kerosene would be needed for 30 days is unknown to me.
I know a lot of people don't trust either, due to the possible fire factor. YMMV.

Miners lanterns that run on calcium carbide could be another alternative, and I'm very familiar with that from years of "spelunking" so that is a possibility. Everyone always had a backup light or three, just in case.

The real problem is, if you are running all the same cells in you gear... (AA in my case) you have to chose your lights wisely. Hell, I still haven't found a good solution to a double a headlamp.... I've been getting rid of the AAA's for the sake of recharging.

Thoughts?

[angelofwar]

I'll probably get some flak here, because of this. Ahh well -

For the Home -
A couple of good old school oil lamps, and some candles would work in a pinch.
How many, and how much kerosene would be needed for 30 days is unknown to me.
I know a lot of people don't trust either, due to the possible fire factor. YMMV.

Miners lanterns that run on calcium carbide could be another alternative, and I'm very familiar with that from years of "spelunking" so that is a possibility. Everyone always had a backup light or three, just in case.

The real problem is, if you are running all the same cells in you gear... (AA in my case) you have to chose your lights wisely. Hell, I still haven't found a good solution to a double a headlamp.... I've been getting rid of the AAA's for the sake of recharging.

Thoughts?

Surefire Saint Minimus AA...runs great on RC's, Alkies, and lithiums...and will survive things you won't.

[Woods Walker]

The real problem is, if you are running all the same cells in you gear... (AA in my case) you have to chose your lights wisely. Hell, I still haven't found a good solution to a double a headlamp.... I've been getting rid of the AAA's for the sake of recharging.

Thoughts?

There are many headlamps in AA. What are your requirements? I use a Fenix HL20 and ZL H501w.

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 34&t=56834" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think the HL20 is now called a HL21. Same basic headlamp but with maybe a XP-E R4 rather than R2 but not sure. You can also find AA headlamps from 2-8 batteries. So many options these days.

[beast1210]

It really depends on what you need, Just for the house? just for reading/walking around the house at night. What about a need for "tactical" personal security/what goes bump in the night type lights. As some have mentioned you cant beat those cheaper led solar yard lights, even most LED lanterns like my Energizer lantern will run for 135 hours on 4 D batteries, Using it 5 hours a day will get you 27 days. I will take a modern LED flashlight any day. My gear has to be mobile so I dont store much kerosene type lamps. My edc light is a zebralight H600. Running constantly on the lowest setting , .09 lumens , gets me 80 days of light. Off of one 18650 battery. With 750 lumens on high for chasing away the shadows, and a handy headband for hands free operation. And that just whats in my pocket

[Ad'lan]

Better approach: Go to sleep when it is dark.

That and one good LED light with a spare set of batteries. Done.

I guess that might work in Tampa, where your light levels hardly change throughout the year. Here in the UK, or in Canada, it gets dark at 1600 and doesn't get light till 0600, working to the available light restricts you too a very seasonal existence.

A good Lamp is invaluable, preferably one with variable brightness or an indoor and an outdoor one.

[Gingerbread Man]

Okay, I have a small review to do.

Product: Fulcrum 20031-101 Motion Sensor LED Porch Light, Silver
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JJ ... 02_s00_i00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These run on 4 C cell batteries. They are motion sensing and independent of any other power source. These are extremely weather resistant. I've had mine up for about 3 months and they're gang busters. My step father has had his on his home for over 1.5 years and hasn't had a single issue. He has yet to change a battery. These have 6 LED bulbs and cast visible light about 60' or more. They install with 2 screws. The price is around $22. If you're looking for affordable security lights, these are the best I've found. They have out lasted a larger solar powered unit that died after a thunder storm, it cost $150. I have 7 lights for the same price.

Product Features
Motion sensor LED light for automatic illumination; indoor or outdoor use
Equipped with 6 LED panel for bright blue light; rotates to point beam as desired
Photo cell technology prevents daylight activation; with 25-foot detection range at 100-degree detection angle
6-volt light powered by 4 C batteries; batteries purchased separately
Measures 5-1/2 by 5-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches; basic assembly required
Adjustable head; 6 included LED bulbs never need replacing; weatherproof exterior
Measures 5-1/2 inches in diameter by 5-1/2 inches high
Motion-sensor LED porch light with special lens for wide coverage
Mounting plate and hardware included; uses 4 C-cell batteries (not included)
Sensor turns light on and off automatically in low light settings

[JesterODX]

I like the ideal of a mixed approach. We still have three oil lamps and two cases of oil from our y2k stash. They are inexpensive and the oil last a long time. You can leave them sitting out on tables and mantles and people just think they are for decoration. And those 100 hour candles might come in very handy. You just have to be mindful with anything that has an open flame. With kids and pets especially.

And then an associate of mine has me on the rechargeable AA battery kick now too. They can be used for a lot of different stuff.

[MedfordChris]

I made an "olive oil lamp" in the past out of a small jar, piece of cotton t-shirt, and a piece of wire. Used oil burned just as well as fresh oil (just pick out the chunks). If you cook/fry with vegetable oils at least semi-regularly, you could have an abundant supply of left-over oil. This is assuming you're preparing for a bug-in type situation. I would hate to schlep around 20 gallons of used oil.

[DJH]

We keep a few of those "devotional" candles around the house that burn for a week or so. Other than that, solar/handcrank flashlights from Lehmans, and a coleman propane lantern, in addition to several maglites & headlamps. We have quite a few kerosene lamps at the BOL - they were the main used light source before we installed solar power there.

[beast1210]

Hell, I still haven't found a good solution to a double a headlamp.... I've been getting rid of the AAA's for the sake of recharging.

Thoughts?

just did a review of the spark sd52 headlamp, runs off of 2 AA or I have it setup for 1 14500, got me through wild fire season. Though I do think its more reliable on the Li-Ions.

[majorhavoc]

Another possibility. Supposedly a couple of hours of light from two minutes cranking.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HDJ6AK/ref ... pe_vfe_dt1

[TacAir]

I would suggest a variety of illumination devices.
Here are some links with some alternatives:

A good dietz lantern is tough to beat although it produces a lot of heat and the light is not intense.

A test of 8 lanterns
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 14&t=89998" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A thread about a versatile multi-day lighting system. Add a 40+ watt solar panel to the setup and you could easily have light for not a month but rather months.
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... =6&t=57197" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This thread was mentioned above, but bears repeating.
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 34&t=83824" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would also consider a couple of these with a few lithium batteries:
http://www.9voltlight.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As well as a hand crank lantern and flashlight:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17730990?adid ... la&veh=sem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Crank-Illumi ... flashlight" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If I may add
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 34&t=34203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
a classic on oil / kero lanterns by the now long-gone Biff.

[Confucius]

Another possibility. Supposedly a couple of hours of light from two minutes cranking.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HDJ6AK/ref ... pe_vfe_dt1

I have never in my life been satisfied with a crank charged light. I've seen crank charged radios that work a treat, but never seen a light that works properly...

[Dawgboy]

I'm a multi-egg, multi-basket kinda guy...

I have a couple antique glass oil lamps a couple Deitz type oil lamps and a couple gallons of lamp oil and Kero on hand. Thing is Kero has gotten really expensive...

So I also have 2 Coleman White fuel lanterns and several gallons of white gas,

And I camp, so I also have 2 Propane lanterns, A Coleman and a Primus(Pretty old). I also keep a case of 1 lb propane cans on hand at all times for the lights and stoves. I also have 2 20 lbs tanks, and a Coleman tree so I can run the light and stove from one tank.

And I have a 220 watt solar array and 10 18AH AGM batteries so I can have power without the Genny running. I have found that I can charge all day and run my 12 volt lights pretty much forever off this setup, and I have two inverters, a 150 watt that will run a couple florescent spots very well, and an 800 watt one that is good for things like a drill.

And then I also have a coupe Black Diamond Orbit lanterns and a ton of flashlights and batteries. I cannot stress enough what a great little lamp the orbit is. It's very bright and has a dimmer. We use it camping a lot and the batteries seem to last forever. I bought the first one about a hear ago and on our last trip I changed the batteries for the second time...

If I was starting out fresh, I would grab an oil lamp and a couple gallons, and an Orbit and a box of batteries for it first.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051W ... 01_s00_i00