Jason
Senior Member
APF Gold Member
Posts: 644
Likes: 576
|
Post by Jason on Aug 12, 2015 21:41:08 GMT 10
Ive been looking into short term lighting options during a power outage and while candles and lanterns have a place there is an inherent fire risk with these, so for short term blackouts Ive been looking at products like the Eton Blackout Buddy as an option. Has anyone had any experience with these emergency lights that will automatically switch on during a power outage? I purchased something similar from Bunnings but these cheap "Click" brand products only lasted a couple of months before failing in one way or another. Just wondering if anyone has used these Eton ones, or some other quality emergency lighting options?
|
|
Frank
VIP Member
APF Life Member
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 2,739
Email: frank@ausprep.com
|
Post by Frank on Aug 12, 2015 22:27:29 GMT 10
Haven't seen those before Jason. We usually stick with rechargeable lanterns, LED torches, candles and kero lanterns. Would be good to hear what you think of them if you end up getting one
|
|
|
Post by PlanZ on Jul 1, 2016 0:53:10 GMT 10
I've got the Blackout buddies and reckon they were worth buying. It's a pretty clever device that gives you a fairly dim night light at all time (if you want it) plus a 2nd light that comes on only when the power goes out. Plus they can be taken off the wall and used as a compact torch.
|
|
|
Post by ziggysdad on Jul 1, 2016 8:24:24 GMT 10
Eton makes good products- crank lights/radios for the Red Cross, but I haven't tried this one.
4 hrs of light in an emergency doesn't sound like much
|
|
|
Post by PlanZ on Jul 1, 2016 8:49:22 GMT 10
For me the 4hr issue isn't really important. I like that they're cheap, always charged and there is one nearby wherever you are in the house when the power goes out. Because they come on straight away you never have time when you're fumbling in the dark.
So in reality i would use this for no more that 15 minutes until I've got better lighting sorted out.
btw I have a son called Ziggy and some call me Ziggy's dad too!
|
|
|
Post by ziggysdad on Jul 1, 2016 9:03:45 GMT 10
Did you name Ziggy after anyone?
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on Jul 1, 2016 9:08:46 GMT 10
This looks like exactly what I've been looking for. I only need a few minutes to find other torches etc but something to cover that time so I'm not fumbling in the dark would be great. You can buy proper emergency lights but they are way overkill. I can find these on eBay but they are from the US and it's not clear that they have Oz plugs as the plug is not shown on the photo. PlanZ, where did you get yours?
|
|
grumble
Senior Member
Posts: 455
Likes: 777
|
Post by grumble on Jul 1, 2016 9:51:24 GMT 10
|
|
|
Post by Fractus on Jul 1, 2016 10:10:42 GMT 10
I have been using the Bunnings ones as well for a few years now. They work great as a light in hallways at night ( motion detect) and as a torch , work light and come on in power failure and they are cheap. Aldi have had very similar but I have had them only about 6 months but ok so far
|
|
|
Post by PlanZ on Jul 1, 2016 10:12:40 GMT 10
I got mine from an Australian eBay seller because there is definitely both US and AU plug versions
|
|
Morgo
Senior Member
Posts: 682
Likes: 661
|
Post by Morgo on Jul 1, 2016 17:38:00 GMT 10
I built my own for my shed. Simple enough to do really though probably not something to play with unless you know your way around electricity.
Most of the stuff you buy has small capacity NiCad batts. They generally don't have a great runtime or life expectancy.
I ended up using several left over 12v7Ah SLA batts and LED strip lights. 2x12v7A batts per fitting from memory. The SLA's last years and the small drain of LED's means they can last for many days (depending on usage of course), especially with a solar panel trickle charging the system.
|
|
shinester
Senior Member
China's white trash
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 3,578
Email: shiny@ausprep.org
|
Post by shinester on Jul 1, 2016 18:44:09 GMT 10
My emergency lighting is very simple. I have a uninterrupted power supply [UPS] usually used for computers that keeps power going to a lamp that is usually on and is also the power supply for the modem, the main reason is that phone lines have back up power and are mostly underground these days which gives me access to information. So if the power goes out, I already have a lamp on. I've used it a couple of times this year already, pretty happy about it's convenience. I have additional power that I can hook up via an extension lead if need be and solar panels/car with jumper leads that can charge batteries if required.
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on Jul 3, 2016 10:15:03 GMT 10
I'll check out the Bunnings offering next time I go into town.
|
|
|
Post by familyprepper on Jul 4, 2016 12:59:39 GMT 10
Shinester I've seen your ups and it's a really good idea You have a few different power things you have shown good stuff all around Has given me ideas for a few things too
|
|