Camp Lighting

[Derek Bullock]

Hello

I have been using a Coleman Kero lamp for many years but am finding an allergy to the kero fumes.

Not keen on carting gas bottles around either so am looking towards a battery powered unit, either from the car, rechargeable or with it's own batteries.

Have seen some good fluro models. Any thoughts ??? ??? ???

Cheers

Derek

[caveman]

HI DEREK I HAVE A SMALL INVERTER AND USE A 4FT 240VLT FLURO LIGHT FOR CAMPING YOU CANT GO PAST THE LIGHT IT GIVES AROUND CAMP THE INVERTER COST ABOUT $70-$100 DEPENDING ON WHAT SIZE YOU GET HOPE THIS HELPS

CHEERS CAVEMAN

[Derek Bullock]

Thanks Caveman

By the way can anyone tell me what an inverter actually is and how it works? ??? ??? ??? ???

Cheers.

Derek

[caveman]

sorry derek all you do is plug it in to you ciggy light in your car
and plug your lead into the sockett provided , what it actualy does is transforms 12vlt to 240 vlt the bigger inverter you get the bigger appliaces it will opperate i.e. 300 watt will only run appliace up to that wattage if you need anymore info the store where you buy them should be able to tell you more about them , but the bigger unit you buy the more they cost so dont let them talk you into buying one bigger than your needs hope this helps

cheers caveman

[The_Walrus]

Hi Derek,

You should visit a shop that specialises in 12V gear and have a look at what's available.

Springers on the Bald Hills Flat carries some good stuff!!

Luc

[elmo]

Thanks Caveman

By the way can anyone tell me what an inverter actually is and how it works? ??? ??? ??? ???

Cheers.

Derek

An inverter takes a direct current voltage (e.g. 12VDC), chops it up into little bits, and converts it to simulate 240 volts at 50 hertz, the same as standard Energex supply.

Like Cavemen says the bigger the wattage the more you would expect to pay. However, if two brands have similar specs, I would expect that you get what you pay for. eg The more expensive item would have better overload capacity or warranty etc.

[bazz]

Derek, I bought a couple of Versa Lights a few years ago and find them excellent.One plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car and the other one has a couple of alligator clips to go onto the battery.That way I don't have to park the car in a certain position to have light close by.
They are twin fluro lights and not a drain on the battery, also they are only about 40cm long and I keep mine under the seat no problems.They are very robust and will take a fair bit of punishment.They actually threw it on a concrete floor for a demo and that sold it to me.They were about $80 about 7 years ago and I saw them at a 4W.D. show a couple of years ago and I think it was an A.R.B. stand.
Worth a look and definately better quality than some of the stuff you see at the camping stores although Campmart may sell them.Hope it is of help to you.

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

i've got one of those cheap 12V fluoros from supercheap with alligator clip connection powered from a small deep cycle battery carried in a 6 pack esky (stiff plastic Coleman type).

The esky means you can carry it around easily - you should leave the lid off though to prevent gas build up. I use it as a backup when camping & in the boat, also good with a spotlight. You can use a standard battery but requires charging more often.

chris

[Dundisme]

Chris,

I am with you...... i also use a cheap fluro from Super Cheap and now i dont really need any other lighting at all..... it servers a dual purpose as i also use it in the boat as well ... dont get much better than that.

justme

[bugman]

Derek,

Just saw this post. Befroe doing anything - go and see choice electrial at Bowen Hills near the Ekka grounds.

If you're like me you wont walk out of that place empty handed.

I have one of their two foot long flouros for about $55 running on a 12 amp dry cell battery with an old 10 amp back-up. I can camp for over a week with as much light as you can handle.

Clean clean clean and much more brightness
Brett

[Derek Bullock]

Cheers Brett

I might just pay them a call.

Derek

[Rosso]

Hello

I have been using a Coleman Kero lamp for many years but am finding an allergy to the kero fumes.

Not keen on carting gas bottles around either so am looking towards a battery powered unit, either from the car, rechargeable or with it's own batteries.

Have seen some good fluro models. Any thoughts ??? ??? ???

Cheers

Derek

Mmm...well i use a pressure kero one that works ok. PLuse also the big gas one that the tank connects to both the light and stove.

However, recently i went into a camping store and purchased a little light. I don't know what its called but the light itself screws and locks into a disposable canister of gas. The brightness of the light is better then a 60watt globe in the house...

The canisters aren't all that big and i have used them for many hours while camping.

Cheers
Rob.

[Derek Bullock]

Thanks to everyone for their input on this subject. It certainly has created a loty of interest and has helped me in looking at new equipment. I hope others have also been helped.

Rosso, how much are you paying for those disposable canisters and how many hours do you reckon you get out of one.

Thanks

Derek

[Rosso]

ahhh now you have me on the spot.

I think roughly they are between 10-15 a pop (for the large ones) and can last about 20 hours or so. I can go away for a week and only use one as it really only lights up the tent for a few hours.

I got it from campmart at enoggera (when it was on pickering street) now up the road abit.

I could say to you to go in as see Todd, who knows me, but alas he has moved interstate. I don't know anyone who does a better deal then him in that store anymore *sighs*

anyway, if you could think of the height of a beer can, and about the area of a CD, then thats the size of the cylinders/cans. they are also blue.

If your really want i can get more info for you, but go into campmart and see what they have.

Cheers,
Rosso.

[Derek Bullock]

Thanks Rosso

I know what you are talking about now.

Derek