Camping Light Recommendation

Hi Matt I have purchased a 60 LED light from Super Cheap it was about $49 2 years ago, It uses 12 volt and draws 0.3amps, There are heaps of LED lights on the market it all depends on what you want to use them for. LED are all low on the power and have a long life. Look around Ebay, Jaycar and camping stores.


Thanks Shaun

Depends on how much light you want, I have a 12v Fluro which uses a 36W fluro tube, fantastic light and doesn't huge amounts of power, you almost need multiple lights, the fluro is for when you need maximum light and then some portable led lights for when you don't.

Fluro Light Link (This is similar to what I have)

12v Fluro

Despite recent advancements , the old standard folded fluro still puts out most for power input and is best alround product for a plug into your cigaree lighter type application.

http://www.piranhaoffroad.com.au/index.php/default/piranha-premium-fluro


We tend to to use battery powered lanterns ourselves and in this catergory the Primus 300lumens LED product that uses 3 d cells is a winner (aussie disposals etc)

Matt
I would make 2 recommendations
lowest power draw -go for the led strip light inthe EO shop. I have one in the Roof top tent and carry another inside a bit of conduit across the cargo barrier which comes out the side window to light under the annex.
for a bit brighter light- get a 12 v 12 watt fluro bulb from bunnings put it in a clear plastic container and you have bright light that travels well. we have used this setup for years in the camper trailer .
not a big difference price wise.
cheers
Howard

Versa-lite http://www.burnbrite.com/Our-Products--Services/Product-Details/Pages/Electronics/Lighting/Portables/Versa-Lite-Portable-Fluorescent-Lead-Light.aspx

While we still carry a 12v corded flouro as a spare, we now exclusively use those
round led lights with a couple of aaa batteries in them. About 8cm across
with a magnet in the back & a hook to hang it up. Strong enough to read by & will
hang or stick just about anywhere you want. Lasted 4 weeks on last trip & still
going strong. Cost about $15 in camping stores or about $5 in junkshops..all the
same article. Plenty of cheap & expensive corded one around if thats what you
want, but we found these more versatile...kids love em too. & just the shot for nocturnal loo trips.......oldbaz.

I bought some 12V 15W compact flouros off ebay and stuck them in a Bunnings $10 leadlight case (cut off the mains plug and wired on a merit plug). They draw around 1A continuous when on. Excellent light spread and quality.

We use led bedside lights we got at Woolies in their electrical section for about $20, our local Big W doesn't carry them. They come with a 240v connection but with a stepdown transformer to 12v, I discarded the 240v section and hard wired the light into the existing wiring on the CT they throw plenty of light

1) DO NOT get a flouro, they attract mozies and bugs like crazy, are electrically noisy ( if you want to listen to HF or AM) and LEDs are now brighter for less power use.

2)These are fantastic.

18W LED
There are quite a few all selling the same thing. They draw about 1.3A. You can also get 15W ones and 21W ones.

I have one and it is twice as bright as my mate's Phirana flouro, and attracts 1/10th the bugs even when he has the stupid yellow lens on.

We have both fluro (12V, corded) and LED (freestanding rechargeable lantern) and we much prefer the 'quality' of the light emitted by the fluro. The LED is quite harsh and unpleasant even though it's quite bright.

Hi, MattThomas0. I have three lights. The first two I have had for 20 years or close to. The first is a versa light with a 8 metre cord & the 2nd is an ARB. Both fluro with yellow reflector (Prevents bugs congregating) The latest is a Platinum brand LED hand held. It is just over 30cm long It has 37 led's. The five at the top flash red (distress or break down signal) 1st push on button. The 2nd push on button brings up four led's and 3rd push 8 leds. The 4th push all leds (except 5 red ones ) light up. This comes with an AC & DC chargers also it can be recharged by an inbuilt hand winder. It also has two 13cm legs so it can be standing (hands free) it also has a rotating hook at the top if you wish to hang in the tent,camper or under bonnet of vehicle. I have fitted a magnet onto a clip which I also use for hands free. I have had the 30 led lamp torches from other places with the led's failing after a short time. The price of my light was about $50. There are numerous lights advertised on Evil Bay & it's just a matter of choosing what suits you best.

http://platinumparts.com.au/catalog.aspx?m=1&c=1 TRY THIS

If you are after a general purpose camping light that gives reasonable illumination, then the Versa-Lite/Piranha Fluro (same thing, different badging) is one of the best around.
Current draw is around 1Ah so will not place undue load on the battery.

Another worthy of a mention is the Evakool Torpedo. This is also a fluroescent light but uses a more compact lamp. The current draw from this is around 1/2Ah and the light is similar in illumination to the Versa/Piranha.

I have both a Piranha Fluro which is fitted with a yellow diffuser to limit insect attraction and the Evakool Torpedo which I set up at the other end of our awning.

I also own a 68 LED lantern which performed OK, but one bank of LED lamps no longer work and the lamp is somewhat diminished in light output.


Bill.

Hi Matt

I have a new lamp that needs field testing if you are interested, I just need some photos and a report of what you think of it. You can keep the lamp after that.

Regards

Derek from ABR

For years I have used a 12VDC to 230VAC inverter (cheapie) and 240V household fluros that go into the normal light sockets - 7 or 11W, heaps of light, cheap to replace, always worked and very low power consumption. We have had no problems at all. Use a normal beside lamp with a fluro is an option.

You them also have 230VAC for laptops, charging batteries, etc and I am not intending to start the sine vs modified sine wave debate, our modified sine wave inverter has done everything we want it to do incl laptops and TV's over many years.

However LED's maybe the way to go now.

Stevesub

Versa lights by Burn Brite are a bit more expensive but they are Australian made with Australian bits in them. They don't break down but if you break it you can send it back to them and they will fix it regardless of what is broken.