Fluro lights

Kind of a hijack... but what constitutes a "good quality" 12V flouro? I was in Rays Outdoors here in Melbourne on the weekend, and they had two almost identical-looking lights - one was a chinese no-name for $19.95, the other one was "branded" and was $99.95.

I reckon five of the cheapies would outlast one of the expensive jobs.

I think most of the twin tube lights are about the same quality and output. ARB, Pirahna, versalite etc. I have had the ARB light for about three years and not had a problem.

I made mine from a Jaycar 12V 20W fluoro lamp (SL-2852, $24) a suitable base (PS-4072 $4) and a plastic food container from the $2 shop ($guess :) Jaycar also do a 13W lamp if you want to keep the current consumption down. My lamp gives an excellent light, is rain proof and very robust. The lamp has had around 18 months of use with no problems.

Mike Harding

Amart all sports sell the piranah twin tube /1amp draw equaling a 75watt globe / for $59 and the piranah single tube for $13 ,, the twin tube is the most robust ant puts out the most light of any light [12v] that I have tried ,including $100+ jobs/brands.

I have a colite. aprox.500mm long. I also have extened the lead by 4m. Cost about $100 from Campmart Lawnton. It has a bright white light.

Hi Rox - Thanks for the post. We are doing the same exercise.
We want to replace the 2 incandescent bulbs with Flouro's.
Supercheap have a fair range of both 'chinese' $19.95 and branded ones.
The biggest store in Brisbane for camping/caravaning parts is probably CAMEC - located at Bldg 3, Archerfield Industrial Park Cnr Kerry & Beaudesert Roads, Archerfield QLD, 4108 Phone: 07 3710 9000. Check out http://www.camec.com.au They have the usual essentials - 12V washing machines; dishwashers, TVs, DVD players, hot water systems; inverters, etc. Plus the smaller equipment - nuts, bolts, plastic hose, wire etc. I am fairly certain you could build a van/camper from scratch, with the parts they sell.
They do charge for the convenience however.
If you find a good source, please post back here.....regards.....Keith

Hi Rox

Versalite are very good.
They were $10 cheaper at Springers $89 at Strathpine than Campmart $99 at Lawnton in Brissy when we bought one 12 months ago.

Good Luck.

Cya
Tripp'n :)

Got mine from here...

Sunshine State 4WD

Brightest 12v flouro I've ever seen and cost about $35.
_Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx a bit more current than some others but if you want a bright (20w) light..........

Cheers, John.

Stick with a brand name- I have found they are more resistant to drops and knocks. They all seem to have the same water resistant properties, but the brand name ones (esp the twin tubes) are much brighter.
The cheap chinese ones often are only a 13W fluoro, whereas the others are 20 or 75W equivalents.

I used to run 3 of the chinese fluoros strung around the car before, but now I just have 1x ARB 75W jobbie, and a backup 20W chinese one. The chinese one rarely comes out because it is not needed with the light the ARB one puts out

If you want top quality that will last many many years. Versalite are the go. Not cheap though at around $110. They are almost shock proof though , and I know folks that have had them for about 10 years.

Primus also do one that slightly cheaper.

Also heard lots of good reports on the ARB lights. Good price to at around $80.

I still use the cheapo ones , but, really, its false economy.

They are adequate , but tend to last only about 12 months.

better off going for something good in the first place IMO . . .

Rox
I have had a Colite for 5 years now with no probs so just purchased two more, not cheap though at around $100 each but hey you get what you pay for.
Got mine from a dealer in Townsville, but I think they come from The Whitsundays,
Melani I think
Member message me if you are interested and I can find out contact details
Cheers Poppy

I saw a new light from EvaCool (yes the fridge makers) last weekend that looked the goods. About $80 and completely waterproof. Would be worth looking at.

Versalite/ARB/Pirahna (all the same in different packaging) have been recognised as very good, $80 to $110 deoending on where you buy. Arlec, $50 from Supercheap is actually a little brighter (I've tested them side by side in an ARB store). Arlec is a very robust unit but doesn't have a switch; an in line switch from Middy's will cost you $10.

Jaycar also do a good one for $16 which is not as bright as the others but still very good, way brighter than the Projecta job from KMart at $20.

I use the Arlec outside the camper to light up the campsite, the jaycar to light inside the camper and the Projecta sits in a cupboard at home.

Cheers,

Jim.

Piranha and Versalite are made in the same factory. Not sure on the ARB jobbie but probably also the same. So it gets down to "bang for buck". Which one you can buy the cheapest at the time.

Cheaper units?.........You get what you pay for. If someone is happy with one of these, then good Oh!

Thanks everyone for the info, With all the stores listed I did a run around & conpared Quality.
the ARB one is the same 1 as I bought in January just diff colour so in my opinion out of the same factory. It also looks like the Piranah.

Been to Supper cheep Twice like the Arlec ones for $50 bucks but don't like the $20 ones as the housing looks cheep.

Saw a camping shop & found a light like the bush light but no switch for $29.95 for 11watt so I bought 2 for cheeper than my previous one.

The tubes are probly the same 11watt or 13 w or 20w as you all have sugessted the housings some are cheep some are exact copys diff colour the only diff is probly in the electrics. Time will tell.

Ps my previous 4 were from the 12 volt shop called "arid silver series" had 2-3 years run out of them for aprox $80, but lack any holder so have to use velcro or gaffa tape.

Thanks again everyone.

PPS now I can SEE

Can't go past the versalite for build quality but they use a less than $10 tube (generally Phillips)

I'm a convert - had a play with a Versa-lite at the camping show today, show special with a canvas bag, $85. Came home with one. Build quality makes the chinese $19.95 jobbies, look, well, cheap :-)