sentinel
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Post by sentinel on Jul 9, 2014 7:42:10 GMT 10
Emergency Lighting - What Do You Have - Is It Easy To Access
If you were at home and suddenly found yourself in a blackout - how quick can you respond?
Is it a few seconds till you have back-up lighting operating - or are you fumbling around kicking your toe at every step searching for matches (to light those old B'day candles you think might be in a kitchen draw somewhere)?
We are in Nth Qld and often get blackouts for various reasons (far more here than where we lived down south). We are also in a cyclone prone area and I have walked out to my gate during a night time blackout and look in my street at the number of houses in complete darkness and the few that have that one pathetic looking light source showing faintly through a window.
(We don't over light-up our place at these times - but use enough lighting not to draw attention to our place should things go bad at a future later date but to see in a comfortable way and read if we choose).
After T/C Yasi swept through and I know of many places that were out off the power grid from days to weeks, I made sure we improved our back-up plans in a lot of areas, one was lighting.
Below is a list of what we have;
* A generator (for long issues that services the house). fuel tank = 13ltr, and spare jerry cans of fuel.
* 4 x solar shed lights - unmounted - (2 currently operable and 2 require new replacement batteries I think).
* 1 X Good quality solar light indoor/outdoor (we use this for central lighting).
* A bucket of solar garden lights (when removed from their stakes provide a rotational light source around the house).
* 2 X 3W solar torches.
* 2 X Dolphin torches 1 ea near front/rear doors.
* numerous LED mini torches scattered in easy access points around the house.
* large number of assorted candles from 4hr burn time to half a bucket of tea-light candles.
* a couple of lanterns/lamps (old style kero/oil - I burn citronella oil in some lamps to keep mossies away when needed).
* last extreme option for when the grid fails long term and my regular back-ups are out of fuel or don't work - I have some 4lt drums of used cooking oil stored in a shed corner with some home made glass jars with improvised flannel wicks in there lids. (This I stress is for that extreme situ and should be used carefully as it does have an exposed flame - but when all else fails long term - much will change).
* Boxes of matches placed in strategic locations at eye level height around the house - so in reality we are never too far from an improvised light source.
Also have a good number of replacement assorted sized batteries that are renewed at the beginning of each cyclone season - so I know these are fresh and reliable.
(I do believe it is critical up in the Nth to have a portable light source when we venture outside when no outdoor lighting is available - a lot of nasty creepy crawlies are active at night in Nth Qld and like many up here I am in thongs/bare feet 99% of the time when possible).
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Res-Q
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Post by Res-Q on Jul 9, 2014 8:21:24 GMT 10
There's some great ideas there, I'll be copy and pasting that list. Thanks
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Jul 9, 2014 9:43:16 GMT 10
At the moment we have: - A couple of really good LED torches - Some random near useless torches - A rechargeable lantern - Two hurricane lanterns (with about 5lts of kero) - Gas lantern and a couple of gas bottles - A bunch candles
Nothing to flash, but gets the job done for the moment. Generator and some solar stuff is on the "to get" list
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myrrph
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trying to figure out how to change my nick :P
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Post by myrrph on Jul 9, 2014 12:32:05 GMT 10
i have 300 LED flashlights. 100+ old school kryptons (threw alot away recently). revolving 100+ AA/AAA batteries. 24x2 AA in the BOBs. Eneloop rechargeables about 20. Only prob now is NO solar charger. YET. 4 hour tea lights x 150 20 hour candles (10) + Lantern (2) Except for the ways to charge the batteries. I'm good
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overlord
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Post by overlord on Jul 9, 2014 20:27:40 GMT 10
We currently have: 2 Solarforce 300+ lumen flashlights (using either 2xCR123A or 1 x 18650). have a bunch of rechargeables and about 20 CR123A regular batteries 1 Solarforce 120 lumen 1xAA flashlight (with a stock of 50 AA batts) 1 China 1xAA flashlight 2 China LED flashlights that use 3xAAA batteries (with a current stock of 30 AAA batteries)
and 1 AR W111 multi-use Crank Radio (which can charge batts via a crank or solar panel)
Also, I got 3 Powerbanks each rated at 3,100mah for use with USB lights, fan, and cellphones
Aside from my candles.
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 9, 2014 22:40:23 GMT 10
Bilo recently had $2 pocket LED torches. I bought a ton. Very bright and easy to store.
I actually have 3 in the 4wd. There's a little tab that stops the batteries draining, leave it in and there good for years.
On that i have a LedLenser P7, a big ass original Maglight, some LED lanterns and quite a few AA/AAA rechargeable batteries.
wife always has a few boxes of 9hr tea lights in the cupboard.
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sentinel
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Post by sentinel on Jul 10, 2014 8:03:06 GMT 10
This thread has basically produced results that I expected. All have some good and adequate lighting for a time - be it a week to 6 months to a year. If this is a time frame you are aiming for - well done, things look to be well in hand. But what if the lights never come back on? Will you be in the dark or capitalize on a skill that can be valuable in trade? People will want oil lamps/candles and want a lighting supply of fuel - hence rendering of animal fats - wont smell pretty - but does the job. You may even develop a skill to extract oils from seeds and other vegetation but that is way more complicated. ( I think I indicated or mentioned previously that I am preparing for the 'New Norm' as anything less is but an inconvenient pain in the arse IMO.) I left a slight hint in my original post referring to glass jars with metal lids and flannel wicks plus a few 4ltr drums of old cooking oil that I was looking well ahead for the fail of even solar lights. (Old cooking oil store has a duel purpose - lighting and deterrent to ward of any zombies who try and breach the house.) A teapot is basically an oil lamp - check out some op-shops and second hand shops for these. Simple lamp designs can be found with a quick google search or Below is an example for lamp and wick making (borrowed from another site): Homemade Vegetable Oil Lamp www.judyofthewoods.net/diy/lamp.html(sorry - have not had a chance to go through other info on this site so can't make an opinion on it as yet - but looking at the menus there might be some interesting items).
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overlord
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Post by overlord on Jul 11, 2014 12:12:29 GMT 10
Coming from a 3rd World country like the Philippines, most filipinos are familiar with building small oil or kero lamps by using bottles, the cap, and a piece of cloth/string. "Necessity is the mother of all inventions..." (hope got the saying right )
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Post by tc556guy on Nov 10, 2014 3:13:23 GMT 10
Lots of options I keep several rechargeable flashlights in the bedroom, along with chemlights There are more chemlights, candles and matches pre-positioned in the living room. I have several battery operated LED lights..those type you push on and off...around the house and the gun area Coleman lantern and fuel, extra mantles , a generator stored in the garage The house is wired for a transfer switch so as soon as I get the generator rolled out of the garage to the house I'm back in business The BOB has chemlights, headlamps and one of these in it www.luminaid.com/shop/?gclid=CjwKEAiAvvyiBRDzrYuuldy6wB8SJABPJWObVB67zxJHDExj3AhAYEKCyEKYltJOAfrgzQ7_OyVMIBoCbbjw_wcB
I work at night, so you can never have enough or too many light sources
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Post by thereth on Nov 10, 2014 4:50:57 GMT 10
The unit i reveiwed in another thread would be good for long term lighting commodoreaustralia.com.au/product/10w-solar-light-kit/very basic design, basically it does as it says on the box with the bonus of charging via USB as well as 12v, which if you have the right adapter allows you to charge a lot of different things. Personally I will be going for the 30w unit soon just because I can, but I have found the 10w will light up at least 2 rooms, while charging 2 smartphones and still have about half battery in the morning, all this from a standard charge from the solar panel. I would like the extra oomph, however in a pinch or on a budget, the 10w is still bloody fantasticc!!
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Matilda
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Post by Matilda on Nov 10, 2014 6:25:33 GMT 10
The company has some good products! Love the silent generator too.
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Post by Peter on Nov 10, 2014 17:51:48 GMT 10
We each have LED Lenser torches next to the bed, plus one of these each: www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAwQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wholecheap.com%2FSku%2F556384%2Fportable-9-volt-flashlight-pocket-torch-lamp-w-6-white-led-light-9v-battery-fld-12667&ei=1GtgVNXZMaS3mAWbhoCIBQ&psig=AFQjCNEePlPdIIjPYZ79o94ilhqfJXeKnw&ust=1415691604946718We also have a board of tea candles on the fridge (with a couple of bic lighters), plus a blackout box in a convenient drawer - it contains more tea candles (we buy a pack of 100 whenever we get to IKEA), a few glowsticks, some led lamps (UFO shaped), and an old 4x D-Cell Maglight plus a heap of batteries of various sizes. There's an LED nightlight outside the kids' bedrooms (plugs into the socket, but with battery backup). I also have a small torch in my car FAK - I'm reminded to get one for the wife. We've also got hurricane lamps in the shed (I can get to the shed straight from the house without going outside if necesary), plus more glowsticks in the fishing & SCUBA bags. And a SCUBA primary torch + backup (which have been neglected for way too long). We also have flashlight apps on our smartphones... plus the usual collection of old torches (Dolphin, low quality plastic ones, etc) - most of which have been hanging around for years. As a worst case I can hook up a power cord to the 4WD (it has a 240V/100W inverter in the back). I'm hoping to sort our solar & generator, etc over the coming months as I get to that point on the to do list.
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Nov 10, 2014 21:55:42 GMT 10
I am working on an LED dolphin style torch with a solar panel to charge it and a super capacitor to run it. I think I overreached though. the capacitor is too big and the solar panel too small. Going to dial it back to a smaller capacitor and add a hand crank rather than solar.
It's a passion of mine, I hate batteries as they all eventually fail. Capacitors will fail too, when your great grandchildren have grandchildren.
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Post by Peter on Nov 10, 2014 21:57:36 GMT 10
I am working on an LED dolphin style torch with a solar panel to charge it and a super capacitor to run it. I think I overreached though. the capacitor is too big and the solar panel too small. Going to dial it back to a smaller capacitor and add a hand crank rather than solar. It's a passion of mine, I hate batteries as they all eventually fail. Capacitors will fail too, when your great grandchildren have grandchildren. I've heard capacitors mentioned a number of times recently. Could anyone please point me in the direction of learning about them?
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Nov 10, 2014 22:03:11 GMT 10
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Nov 10, 2014 22:04:23 GMT 10
Hands up if you can follow the video from start to finish without ever getting confused (MY hand stays down)
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Post by Peter on Nov 10, 2014 22:08:05 GMT 10
Hands up if you can follow the video from start to finish without ever getting confused (MY hand stays down) I was lost after 7 seconds. Time to google some equations, methinks.
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Post by Peter on Nov 10, 2014 22:13:37 GMT 10
Hands up if you can follow the video from start to finish without ever getting confused (MY hand stays down) I literally have an IQ of 157, and I lasted 3 minutes. Never having looked at such things before, I think I need to go back to the very basics. Alternately, is there a dummies version?
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Nov 11, 2014 8:20:50 GMT 10
Ok so I got into 4 mins! Its just Algebra but I have no idea how to work it out!!!
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Nov 11, 2014 9:30:30 GMT 10
There is more happening then that, he is only expressing it in algebra. To know that you would need to have a better understanding of how the forces behind it work.
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