camp lights

The first one , is a 240v worklight from Bunnings. Cost, about $10. Cut the plug off the end and install a 12v plug , and put a Nelson 12v (IMPORTANT: NOT A 240V, they look the same) Flouro in it. The Bulb is the dearest part at about $30.

The second is a Single Halogen downlight mounted to a black plastic box from Dick Smith. Cost is about $20 for the downlight , plus $10 worth of bits and pieces.

Mine now has a 12v LED M16 insert instead of the Halogen lamp. Much more power efficent , but , cost is about $25 for the lamp.

G'day

I have made the bunnings one. It is a good light for reading due to the reflector focusing the light. Used as an inside light in the camper as it attaches easily to tent stays. I also use a 12 volt versa light for outside lighting.

Both draw no more than 1amp (each) when on.

ARB also have a nice 12 volt light. I have one I purchased when on special which I keep in the truck. Also 1 amp draw when on.

For comic reading a LED headlamp my be all that is needed for the young fellow.

Regards

Paul

>>> For comic reading a LED headlamp my be all that is needed for the young fellow.

Exactly what I was thinking. Plenty of kids at club property do the same..

forgot to mention. No annoying bugs with the LED light ( freedom of reading:-))

Paul

Is there any trick to connecting the 12 volt cigarette socket to the light ? Does it matter which way the wire go around ? Also, what does the black box from Dick Smith do ?

No , I dont believe it matters which wire is which , but , from memory , it has black and brown when you cut the 240v plug off. I believe its accepted that Black is earth , and Brown is Power. Worked for me anyway.

As for the Black box. Does nothing specifically but holds the "bits". The LIght doesn't come with a switch. The box now holds the switch , the cable joins , and the clamps for the tent poles.

Hi

Visited Bunnings today and got all the pieces needed to make the lights. I must admit i was surprised that you can get 12 v and 240 v globes with the same screw fitting. Convenient for us but does not seem like a good electrical idea

Anyway thanks to all co ncerned for your help

cheers

Norm

Gotta get one of those rood consoles, customize it my roodness. LOL

Andy

Yes , just about everyone calls them "Tuco lights".

They were probably made and used prior but it was Tuco , that really highlighted their use by what he made up himself.

Forgot to add the photo and link to Jaycar



I've used them over the past few years, and they aren't as robust as the Versalites, but for the price are good value. You'll may have to resolder the plug.

Agree with Phil.

These are remakably good for the price. Not quite as bright as a Versa ($90) or Arlec (the brightest at $50), but very bloody good. They don't have a switch (nor does the Arlec), but you can buy an in line switch from Middy's for about $8 and wire it in with a pocket knife in 10 minutes.

Great value.

as pauline would say "please explain"!

I understand why the halogen 12 v is better. However, why is a versilite 12 v fluro better then the ordinary 12 v fluro's that I currently have. Are they higher wattage?

Many thanks to all contributors to my question. Great feedback and lots of ideas.

cheers

I don't know what wattage your fluro is but these are 11 watts and are quoted as having an equivalent light output of a 75watt globe. I think they work on the same principle as the energy efficient compact fluros that are gradually replacing conventional tungsten globes in the home. Go to your local camping and 4WD shop that sell them and ask for a demo.....you will be impressed.
They have an electronic ballast and only draw 1 amp. They are high impact, dust, moisture, petrol and oil resistant. Reverse polarity protected.

cheers

Graeme,

They may be the RR, but the Arlec is the Porsche. That is, it is cheaper than the Versa and performs better. I've tested them side by side, the Arlec is brighter.

Hi Derek, just had a look at your evercool Torpedo ad and it states it has a 13 amp globe. I presume it should read 13 watt globe.

Cheers

Hi Graeme

Thanks for that.

It is not my website but Evakool's one.

I will send them an email and tell them. (13 amps will kill a battery real quick !)

Regards Derek.

13 watt lamp - are they _really_, _really_ sure about that 450mA current consumption?

Mike Harding

Just posted the web page did not make or test the light. Really !

Well... you do sell the product Derek (for a total of $95) so I think it's reasonable you should be able to answer basic questions on it - really.

Mike Harding

Sorry Mike,

;-(

No, I will go down to the LAB and test it for you.

Give me 5 mins.

OK, I'm back !

;-)

0.34 amps

Wow ! Even I am surprised. It pulled 0.45 on switch on and settled down to 0.34 amps.

Regards Derek.

I'm impressed - might even buy one from you Derek :)

Question from an idiot.

If its a 13w bulb , at 12v shouldn't it be drawing about 1.5 amps ? , not .45 (or .34 as you say).

Or , isn't it a true 13w bulb , but a bulb "equivelent" to a 13w , or have I got my (poor) maths confused again ??? (and most likely scenerio)

>If its a 13w bulb , at 12v shouldn't it be drawing about 1.5 amps ?
>not .45 (or .34 as you say).

Not quite 1.5A but as amps = watts / volts then with a 12V supply it should draw a touch over 1A. However: neon tubes are a bit funny and their running current will always be less than their start up current so Ohms law doesn't fully apply to these devices.

Having said that; there is an old Yorkshire saying "There's nowt for nowt" and that may certainly be applied to energy - so, whilst I am quite prepared to accept Derek's measurement I would have to question if the lamp is really putting out 13W of light energy. That doesn't, necessarily, make it a poor lamp because I suspect many other lamp manufacturers use "creative energy" in their advertising too. Like any lighting you really need to see it in "real world" conditions to know if it will do the job. Although, I must say, I was most impressed with my Coleman single mantle duel fuel lamp last weekend when I used it in the bush for the first time – I may, possibly, relegate my electric lighting to second place?

Mike Harding

Thanks Mike.

So my maths may have been a little out (no surprise in that) , but my theory is reasonable.

The 13w bulb , may not in fact ACTUALLY be 13w but equivelent or the like.

Fluorescent globes are always brighter than a standard 12v globe.

0.45amp is the same as a 5W park light globe.

Yep , got 4 of those , excellent for the kids.

I'm not convinced that is the image you intended to portray?

Mike Harding :)

LOL - Ooopppssss, I meant the light from the ittybitty booklight, doesn't keep him AWAKE in the tent!!! - Jo