Finished my camping light :-)

Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:23

ThreadID: 36449 Views:2871 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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revhead307

Thanks to a post I saw on here, and 1/2 hour tinkering I've finished my new camping light!

I bought one of those 50W 12v trouble lights a few years ago, and have used it camping and fishing plenty of times. absolutlely loved it apart from its 4A draw which chewed more than its fair share of available power while camping.

After seeing a post on here in the last few months, I got hold of a 13w (equiv 60w) 12v high efficiency flouro (and edison screw base). Had to fit a new switch, as the old push me pull u switch was part of the other globe holder which ive retained for parts.

The new globe is a little brighter than the old, only _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 1 amp, and doesnt throw out a lot of heat like the other :-)

Before and after pics are below, thanks guys for the inspiration.

After :-)

Rev

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Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:35

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:35

Good one.
Given me an idea now.

AnswerID: 187139

Reply By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:50

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:50

Revhead ,
I am too useless to make one , but it is a great idea .Can I buy one from you ? Might be a new business in camping gear for you .
Willie

AnswerID: 187141

Follow Up By: revhead307 - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 18:03

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 18:03

Thanks for the offer Willie :-)

Methinks pencil pushing during the day, and crowd control at night doesnt leave me much time for new activities.

Plus buying all the materials from scratch is about $40 - $50 before even adding a margin to make it worthwhile.

I'm sure someone will knock one up for ya. and mikes comment below there is an easier way...screw in a different globe.

Rev

FollowupID: 444340

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:50

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 17:50

If you use the Nelson Trouble Light Holder ($10 from Bunnings) and get a Nelson 12 volt Compact Flourescent with Edison Screw thread, the only thing you have to change is the plug.

AnswerID: 187142

Follow Up By: revhead307 - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 18:08

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 18:08

Nice point Mike, If i started from scratch I'd do that.

I already had the trouble light $19 from 2 years ago, and have a wholesale account with a large electrical place...so all up cost me $15 cost for the globe.

Cheers

Rev

FollowupID: 444344

Follow Up By: Notso - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 19:05

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 19:05

I made one out of a plastic drink bottle and an ES socket, worked beaut cost $2.50 I think?? Except the drink I suppose you could add $1.20.

FollowupID: 444364

Reply By: Blackie - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 18:16

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 18:16

"Cheap As Chips" store in Mildura sells an identical 12v light as yours (the orange one) for $8.00.

AnswerID: 187149

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 21:40

Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 21:40

Aw, I get sucked in with the good gear that comes out.

I have a versalite which hangs in my camper annex.
Then I saw a similar kind of light, but this time with rows of LED's. Not quite as bright as the versalite but is good over the cooking area of the annex as LED lights do not attract insects like the fluros do. So I have the versalite at one end and the LED wand as I call it, over the cooking and food preparation area. Is Good. I don't necessarily have them both running at the same time so current draw is still minimal.

Then I saw the Torpedo light as distributed by EvaKool and thought, "I have to have one of those" even though the other two perform an admirable job. So I bought one of those, but I haven't got anywhere else I need to light up, so that sits in the cargo drawer as a "spare".

So I have "lights to burn" around my camp.

But I have resisted the temptation for the Coleman Hot Water System so far. A bloke can only carry so much around with him after all and I have the patience to "wait until the billy boils" when at camp.

Where was I?
Oh yea, a really good retrofit idea you have there Rev and you have the satisfaction of having constructed it yourself. Well Done!

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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AnswerID: 187183

Follow Up By: geocacher (djcache) - Saturday, Aug 05, 2006 at 22:04

Saturday, Aug 05, 2006 at 22:04

Hey Sandman,

I was in Broken Hill in June and saw a guy who had "LED wands" in the back of his ute.

Looked really neat. Where did you get yours? Is there a brand?

These ones were maybe 10-15mm diameter and about 250mm long.

I'd be interested in getting some.

Dave

FollowupID: 444618