Emergency torch recommendations?

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blakamin

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#1677097 24-Nov-2016 23:10

If you get something that uses 18650's, I recommend an "efest Luc V4" (or V6) charger. Comes with a wallwart and a car lighter adapter.

I recently used mine on a 600km trip and it charged my batteries at 1A each in no time. It'll do 2 batteries at 2A each if needed

It will also charge a phone at 1A via its USB port.

http://www.efestpower.com/index.php?ac=article&at=read&did=412

I'n not affiliated with them in any way, but this thing has lasted me ages (and the S2 I had before it still works, even after my Kelpie chewed it... It's my work charger)

EDIT: Just don't buy their batteries... I use LG HG2's

jonathan18

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#1677202 25-Nov-2016 09:24

Once again, cheers for the posts.

Athlonite:

that's exactly the same as the torch I have that I paid $29 off of trademe for

These torches are great for their cost but be informed they're nothing but an Ultrafire rip off

Yeah, I saw how many variants of this torch there were on eBay, and assumed they were copying something else. In the end I decided one of the even cheaper knock-offs would do the job - main difference being with the ones I bought in the end (I got two for the price of the one I was going to get) is that the battery capacity is slightly lower. I made the purchase knowing the stats quoted will be rubbish, but they'll do the job.

Geektastic:

Never forget that your emergency flashlight will be as much use as a chocolate fireguard in an emergency if it does not work.

My advice, FWIW, is do not buy cheap junk for this role!

I hear what you're saying, but I'm not in a financial position to buy the Rolls Royce (or even the BMW) of torches! The reality is we already have a large number of torches, so there's considerable redundancy if one of these new ones goes south. And I'd rather be able to distribute multiple torches at various points around the house to ensure easy access to them, than have one excellent torch I may not be able to get to in an emergency.

Pumpedd:

Most of us have lights in our phones....it would seem a good battery radio would be more important.

Already have this; and a radio in our wind-up/rechargeable lantern, and FM radios on both of our mobile phones...

blakamin:

If you get something that uses 18650's, I recommend an "efest Luc V4" (or V6) charger. Comes with a wallwart and a car lighter adapter.

Thanks for the suggestion - will certainly look into this.

Geektastic

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#1677278 25-Nov-2016 11:09

Another factor in some locations (for example if your home has mains gas - not sure how common that is here in NZ) is to ensure that the torches are rated as explosion proof. This does not really mean that they are designed to survive an explosion. It means they are designed not to cause one when used in flammable environments. Same reason you should never use light switches where a gas leak is suspected.

Gas mains (and pipes to bottles too I guess) can fracture in an earthquake, of course.

RUKI

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#1677379 25-Nov-2016 12:16

Topic Starter's specs are limiting them in many ways, one of which is battery type & source of those and another is charging method.

To be absolutely flexible (e.g. stores are closed and nowhere to buy battery) you need to be able to utilise any battery chemistry at hand and be able to charge it from most popular source - 12V DC (One Solar panel or Car Battery) and if you lucky - from mains AC;

If you have something like "imax b6" or similar RC charger (we have few different modifications of that basic one) - it is capable of charging Li-Ion, LeadAcid and NiMH batteries (e.g. 1.2V - 3.6, 7.2 etc, 12V);

Those chargers work from >12V or via Laptop PS from AC Mains

You use whatever you have at hand - series or single Li 18650 from laptops; AGM 12V from UPS; 12V starter battery from car and power LED Light / Radio etc.

Car chargers have standard chip inside and capable of powering 5V @0.5A but those are easily adjustable with change of resistor to output 1.25V - VCC (e.g. 3.6; 4.5; 5; 7.2; 9 or 12V).

Everything is easy to DIY from what you most likely have at hands. e.g. in Offers Thread somebody is throwing Nokia Car charger(s) - I dismantled a lot of those...

McNulty

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#1678300 27-Nov-2016 14:47

I use a Fenix UC35.

It is so versatile, I love it, and under US$100.

Uses a 18650 or CR123A.

Charges from USB, standard micro-USB connector which means that there so many options to charge it. As long as I have petrol in the car I'll have a fully charged light.

Has multiple brightness settings so you can prioritise battery/brightness as your specific task requires e.g. at 14 Lumens you'll get an amazing 150hrs on a single charge, but if you are searching for something like a lost child then you can crank it to 960 Lumens for up to 1.5hrs. I think there are 4 or 5 different settings.

It also has a strobe mode. If a passing helicopter misses this strobe I'd be amazed.

It is supposed to be waterproof but, and this is my only complaint, the rubber cover for the USB port broke off almost immediately.

https://www.fenixlighting.com/product/uc35-fenix-flashlight/

timmmay

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#1678301 27-Nov-2016 14:54

McNulty:

I use a Fenix UC35. It is so versatile, I love it, and under US$100.

Does it rattle? My Fenix battery compartment (8xAA) rattles. I'd ensure availability of charging during extended outage, or plenty of spare batteries.

McNulty

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#1678443 27-Nov-2016 18:11

timmmay:

Does it rattle? My Fenix battery compartment (8xAA) rattles. I'd ensure availability of charging during extended outage, or plenty of spare batteries.

I just gave it a good shake, and nothing resembling a rattle at all.

It is quite rugged, rated for a drop of 1m, so I wouldn't expect anything to be loose.

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andrewNZ

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#1678460 27-Nov-2016 18:52

As an emergency light source big glow sticks are a good option. I keep a couple in the first aid kit as a just in case.

You can even strap them to small children so you can keep track of them in the dark.

timmmay

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#1678475 27-Nov-2016 19:32

andrewNZ: You can even strap them to small children so you can keep track of them in the dark.

It doesn't have to be an emergency to do this. Give them some sugar, strap on glow sticks, turn the light off and throw in a puppy!

Geektastic

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#1678480 27-Nov-2016 19:57

timmmay:

McNulty:

I use a Fenix UC35. It is so versatile, I love it, and under US$100.

Does it rattle? My Fenix battery compartment (8xAA) rattles. I'd ensure availability of charging during extended outage, or plenty of spare batteries.

Dodgy Chinese makers...! ;-) Probably a listening device that has come loose...

Geektastic

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#1678481 27-Nov-2016 19:59

I've got a Nite Core charger model D2 that does fancy tricks to switch charging patterns depending on the chemistry of the batteries you are charging. It'll run off DC 12v too.

Pretty reliable so far - had it a year or so.

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