LuminAID Solar Lanterns are another option similar to the LUCI.
Link to website is HERE.
LuminAID Solar Lanterns are another option similar to the LUCI.
Link to website is HERE.
Deleted - double post
Last edited by Canonshooter; 09-09-16 at 11:28.
I take a different approach;
Use a 30 watt PV collector to charge a 28AH deep cycle battery that is housed in a Pelican case. The case has a 12-volt socket to plug chargers and other 12V devices into.
I have converted some table lamps into 12V operation by using 12V RV LED bulbs and replacing the 120V plug with a 12V male plug. With splitters I can run multiple lamps off the 28AH battery.
The converted lamps are used normally via a 12V wall wart with a female 12V socket wired to the output. This way the lamps retain full non-emergency every day use but can be used in a loss-of-power scenario.
All of my hand held lights are powered with Li-ion, several of which can be easily attached and used as WML. With a 12V charger, all (including AA NiMH) can be recharged indefinitely with this set up as well;
Details on the charging station at post #117 here;
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...st-built/page4
Cliff Notes version - this is a portable solar charging station consisting of a solar panel, a deep-cycle lead-acid battery and a charge controller. So, the solar panel charges the 28AH battery in the yellow Pelican case, then that battery powers a variety of 12V battery chargers to recharge small batteries (mostly Li-ion) used in hand held lights, WMLs, battery lanterns, etc.
FWIW, just about any device that uses CR123A batteries can use rechargeable 16340 or 16650 Li-ion batteries. Anything that can be plugged into the 12V socket in your car (USB chargers, lights, air compressors, etc.) can be powered with this set up.
Last edited by Canonshooter; 09-09-16 at 17:11.
That is damn slick Cannonshooter, thanks for sharing and providing the link.
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One of my goals is to use this set up as part of my normal routine - unlike "emergency-only equipment" that may sit for years unused then be non-functional when you really need it. I charge all of my hand held light Li-ion batteries with this, as well as all of my hand held devises (iPhones, etc.) via a USB adapter. When the battery drops to about 50% capacity (around 12 volts with no load), I hook up the collector and charge it up. On a sunny day, it takes about four hours to bring it back up to full charge.
For a period of time there was an parasitic draw issue with my wife's car that would kill the battery (that has now been resolved). If we took her car on a trip I would throw the Pelican case in the trunk with a set of jumper cables in the event we needed to jump start.
If anyone is interested in building their own, feel free to contact me - I spend a lot of time researching. There is an optimum balance between battery capacity, collector size and (if you want to use one) inverter size. A typical mistake is trying to draw too much current using an over-sized inverter (good read here):
https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...-size-tutorial
FWIW, the entire project cost me about $400, minus the tripod.
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Thanks for all of the info Cannonshooter. I'm definitely going to looking into a setup like this when I get to my new AO.
U.S. Army vet. -- Retired 25 year LEO.
One of the area light solutions I have are AA powered LED Christmas tree lights. I just string them overhead and they provide diffuse light throughout the room. Good, low powered area lights; inexpensive too. As an example:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Ama...s+lights&psc=1
I'd recommend having a few battery operated CO and smoke detectors ready. Especially when running Aladdin lamps. They can soot up fast if not monitored. I love the heat they put out. I'm running two right now. 70 degrees in the radio room.
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