12 volt fluoro's

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 16:58

ThreadID: 17713 Views:2997 Replies:8 FollowUps:9

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Member - Jimbo (VIC)

I got an Arlec Fluoro from Supercheap for $50 with "bring it back with the receipt and we'll give you a refund" so I took it to ARB to compare with the Versalite $90 and the ARB $80 to see just how much brighter they were and whether it was worth spending the extra money.

Well, the Arlec was brighter than either of them, so I'm keeping it.

Yes, the Arlec is made in China, where the other two are made in Australia, but it is a robust unit. Whether it lasts as well, only time will tell.

Cheers,

Jim.

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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 17:16

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 17:16

Jim,
Great bargain tsk tsk but you should have got Ausie made.
Let us all know how the thing performs after rain & general abuse that we seem to give these things.
Just love gadgets.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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AnswerID: 83890

Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 17:36

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 17:36

When shopping I give my two little kids the item under consideration. If it's not broken in a few minutes then I know it's well made.

I've abused an Arlec 240v fluro for a number of years without failure.

AnswerID: 83894

Reply By: ginga - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 18:30

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 18:30

What amps does it draw? More than the $100 versions???

AnswerID: 83903

Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:57

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:57

No, all 11 watts. Tubes looked the same.

Jim.

FollowupID: 342788

Reply By: Rick Blaine - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:23

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:23

Are you certain the versalite & the ARB are made in Australia....bet the tube isnt made here, bet the electronics are chinese as well...

AnswerID: 83910

Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:56

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:56

Excellent point Rick.

I reckon you're spot on.

Cheers,

Jim.

FollowupID: 342787

Reply By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:36

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:36

Jimbo.........

Good move.

I remember asking Roachie & Pesty about theirs, and they simply replied that along as it had an 11 watt tube, all is pretty much a level playing field. Oh, I'm sure there are other factors, but at $50.00........... I don't think they come into play at all.

Good work.

What I've also done, is model a "Street Lamp" attachemet along the lines of Pesty's. Basically one of those extendable Aluminium poles, wich sits into a pin attachment which you hammer into the ground. On the top, I made a socket to accept the light, which sits at 45 degrees ( 100%).
This is especially good around the campfire, as you can actually see what you are cooking + eating.

Cheers

Wolfie

AnswerID: 83912

Follow Up By: Peter O - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 21:39

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 21:39

I've done the same thing Wolfie re the "Street light effect" and like you I have found it to be fantastic, the higher the better when the bugs are about too and lights up a large area.

Peter

FollowupID: 342805

Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:37

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 19:37

You must have struck a better one then my Arlec from SuperCheap Jimbo. I have both the Arlec and the Versalite and there is no comparison - my Versalite is at least a factor of 10 better on the brightness scale.
Cheers
Pete

AnswerID: 83913

Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 20:04

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 20:04

Rick,

The bloke at ARB showed me two, the ARB brand and the Versa, which I am told come out of the same factory. The ARB appeared marginally brighter than the Versa, but both noticeably duller than the Arlec.

Maybe I got lucky with the Arlec or you got a dud. Why not take yours back to Super Cheap and do a comparo with another on the shelf, and take your Versa as well? I have found Super Cheap to be wonderful when supporting anything they sell. eg I had one of their $10 spotlights for about 6 months and it wouldn't hold a charge, took it back, no receipt and they said grab another, no questions asked.

Cheers,

Jim.

FollowupID: 342789

Reply By: fred a - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 20:36

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 20:36

i bought an arlec from supercheap today.
it fired up brightly after a few tries at plugging it in then wouldnt light properly, just a dull glow at the bottom
back to super cheap tomorrow to exchange it

fred

AnswerID: 83923

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 20:44

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 20:44

Ah Ha!!

THAT is why Jimbo's is so bright. Must of been sitting next to yours on the shelf, and Jimbo's stole your light's Mojo!!!

Sorry that's happened, I was always under the notion that Arlec was an okay brand.

Cheers

Wolfie

FollowupID: 342793

Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 21:13

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 at 21:13

Fred,

On that advice I've just plugged mine in to let it run all night and see what happens. Maybe you just got a dud, we'll see what happens with mine.

Agree with Wolfman, Arlec have been selling gear for as long as I can remember and I'm a spritely young buck of 43. Never known them to have a poor reputation but of course things can change.

I reckon you'll have no probs at Super Cheap, they are a reputable company.

Cheers,

Jim.

FollowupID: 342798

Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 07:23

Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 07:23

Fred,

It's morning now and it ran all night long, still bright as a button this morning.

Cheers,

Jim.

FollowupID: 342832

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 07:47

Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 07:47

Arrrrgh!!!!!

Silly bugger I am........

Now I got a flat battery!!!!!!!

"Honey!!!! Where's the pump for the pushbike?"

FollowupID: 342833

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 08:31

Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 08:31

Good idea to soak test your new equipment at home rather than in the field. I'm off to get one of those supercheap spotlights Jimbo. Should be good for spotting Wolfies tent at the next gathering.

FollowupID: 342836