Home lighting for power outage

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D1023319

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#303622 23-Feb-2023 15:44

I am interested in lighting for home during power outages.
In particular I want USB charging and long lighting time - i.e. to get through the night
I did consider power stations but are just looking for relatively cheap solution

Does anyone have thoughts on best options

So far ideas have included

I have looked at a range of LED lanterns

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/1000-lumen-rechargeable-dimmable-portable-camping-lantern-and-power-bank/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI04bx68qq_QIVxYJLBR3NoA2aEAQYASABEgIaTPD_BwE

Full brightness (1000 Lumen, 3 Hours ), Cool light (700 Lumen, 5 Hours) Warm light (300 Lumen, 7 Hours) and Flashing Mode.
4400mAh Li-ion battery (2x2200)

To a Solar Recharge LED Light Kit

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/solar-recharge-led-light-kit/p/MB3699?pos=4&queryId=5c046e1e218e2d8fa5f0c36caa91d0ee&sort=relevance&searchText=solar%20light

Battery: 6V 4.5Ah SLA
Internal Light: 2 x 3W COB LED
Lead Lights: 2 x 3W + 1 x 2W LED
Solar Panel Input: 9VDC 7W
USB Output: 5VDC
Solar Charge Time: 13-15 hours

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#3040998 23-Feb-2023 18:12

the solar recharge kit is not a bad idea. you can set the lights up. solar panel is a bit suz but you should be able to charge up the batteries a bit. tho i would get a separate power bank to recharge phones etc or even to recharge the lamp. i would like to see bigger battery and bigger solar panel. that way it can top phones up if powers out days on end.

allan

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#3041005 23-Feb-2023 18:34

A tongue-in-cheek response, but for a totally non-tech approach, I have one of these OCS Original Candle Lantern 😀

Stu1

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#3041006 23-Feb-2023 18:34

I have one of these very good https://dwights.co.nz/products/oztrail-ignite-100l-rechargeable-speaker-lantern

timmmay

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#3041009 23-Feb-2023 18:52

I don't think a solar panel in something that has batteries is a great idea, as charging batteries when they're warm reduces their life.

What I did:

Purchased a few LED lanterns (similar to this) that take C batteries (or AA with an adapter)
Purchased a solar panel, regulater thingy, and a couple of 30AH batteries
A 12V to USB charging from Ebay - think it's a car one
Battery charger that works from 12V

I can use my lanterns for ages as I have a lot of AA batteries. In an emergency I can recharge the batteries using the charger connected to one of the 30A batteries. It's more hassle but should last longer.

You could also buy lanterns with a rechargable battery (this kind of thing) and recharge it from a solar panel / larger battery.

Dynamic

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#3041026 23-Feb-2023 19:37

Are you are over-engineering a solution for a very rare problem?

A couple of LED torches. Two sets of batteries per torch. Replace the batteries every 2-3 years. Job done.

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djtOtago

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#3041090 23-Feb-2023 20:53

I have one of these Amazon.com: LE LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable, 1000LM, 4 Light Modes, 4400mAh Power Bank, IP44 Waterproof, Perfect Lantern Flashlight for Hurricane Emergency, Hiking, Home and More, USB Cable Included : Sports & Outdoors

Similar to what the OP linked to, but can also be dimmed down to a low glow. Makes for a good night light.

For something similar that runs on D size batteries have a look at Amazon.com: LED Camping Lantern, Battery Powered LED with 1000LM, 4 Light Modes, Waterproof Tent Light, Perfect Lantern Flashlight for Hurricane, Emergency, Survival Kits, Hiking, Fishing, Home and More : Sports & Outdoors

It has a much longer run time when compared to the rechargeable version.

tweake

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#3041104 23-Feb-2023 21:03

Dynamic:

Are you are over-engineering a solution for a very rare problem?

A couple of LED torches. Two sets of batteries per torch. Replace the batteries every 2-3 years. Job done.

i always like to have something that can last multiple days. it can be days/weeks before you can get power or even get out to be able to recharge anything. led torch is ok for the small power cuts but you want something really decent for the long one. i have led light that runs off a 7ah battery.

the thing that caught me out a bit this time was not having much charge in the phone and phones can really chew the power if the cell sites are down.

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timmmay

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#3041107 23-Feb-2023 21:10

I also have a couple of USB powered camping lights from Amazon. I can plug them into the 30AH battery using the adapter, not sure how long they'll last but I think it'd be quite a while.

MadEngineer

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#3041125 23-Feb-2023 22:39

If you want to do this right, get some LED emergency downlights for your hallways. Depending on the model they have batteries that will provide a couple of nights of lighting.

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neb

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#3041144 23-Feb-2023 23:57

allan:
A tongue-in-cheek response, but for a totally non-tech approach, I have one of these OCS Original Candle Lantern 😀

Beat me to it, I was going to say "paraffin lamp". Never needs recharging, and a 1L bottle will run it more or less forever. If you want maximum safety, get a proper hurricane lamp, and when you've got time read up on the ingenious design they use.

Edited to add: In terms of runtime, a typical hurricane lamp will run for about 12 hours from one fill, and you can refill multiple times from a 1L bottle.

tchart

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#3041151 24-Feb-2023 06:02

My 2c

Ive had many rechargable lamp/lanterns etc over the years (Kathmandu etc). The most "successful" ones Ive owned and used for the past 6/7 years are ones powered by my tool batteries. Specifically Ozito PXC. I have a work light, spotlight and also a hand torch. The benefit is that I have multiple large 4.0Ah batteries that are always charged and can run them for many hours. With my previous attempts there was always a specific adaptor, remembering to charge them, rubbish battery tech and them going flat while sitting idle. None of those are an issue with the power tool batteries. Most power tool manufacturers have torches/lanterns/worklights etc and are well worth checking out if you have battery powered tools already.

Alternatively, budget depending of course, I have a Goal Zero (solar battery invertor) for my office. Although Ive changed the lighting in the office now I used to use Goal Zero light-a-life laterns. These run off the 12V power source, are daisy-chainable and put out some serious light (adjustable). They arent cheap but I have those stored for bigger emergencies.

D1023319

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#3041169 24-Feb-2023 08:35

allan:

A tongue-in-cheek response, but for a totally non-tech approach, I have one of these OCS Original Candle Lantern 😀

I also have a Tilly Lamp but my "modern" family cant use it if I am not there

Bung

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#3041196 24-Feb-2023 10:21

My first encounter with a Tilley lamp was in the Tararuas. We arrived at a hut where some others were just putting a new mantle into a lamp. When it was lit I was very impressed with how bright it was but then one of the original party must have noticed something wrong as he grabbed it and ran to the door and threw it out just as it burst spraying burning kero everywhere.

Scott3

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#3041198 24-Feb-2023 10:31

Are you already in a battery power tool ecosystem? It's my main emergency light plan. (but primarily serves as a work light)

I have this one: (300lm / 1000lm).

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/dewalt-led-work-light-skin-18-volt/p/383659

I have never tested the run time, but I know it is many hours on full brightness. And I have three 18v batteries (2Ah, 5ah & 6Ah).

While I don't have it, a USB C charger is available for Dewalt batteries.

If you are allready in a battery tool eco system, this pathway is likely to offer good value.

------

Other options:

A power bank with an LED fitted to it, i.e. below. Weak torch on a big battery should last ages (and double as a power bank)

https://merchee.co.nz/products/condor-power-bank-20000-mah-with-torch

Get a bunch of outdoor solar light's. Put them next around your deck or somewhere, and if you have a power cut, go out and get them and bring them inside. Can put them back outside each day to charge for the next night.

Scott3

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#3041201 24-Feb-2023 10:45

tweake:

Dynamic:

Are you are over-engineering a solution for a very rare problem?

A couple of LED torches. Two sets of batteries per torch. Replace the batteries every 2-3 years. Job done.

i always like to have something that can last multiple days. it can be days/weeks before you can get power or even get out to be able to recharge anything. led torch is ok for the small power cuts but you want something really decent for the long one. i have led light that runs off a 7ah battery.

the thing that caught me out a bit this time was not having much charge in the phone and phones can really chew the power if the cell sites are down.

A 100-pack of amazon basic AA's is NZ$43.78. (Free shipping to NZ from Amazon AU if buy another qualifying item to bring the total to over NZ$53.65).

10 year shelf life.

Pair with a cheap, fairly low-power torch or lantern, and you will have lighting for weeks.

On phones. large power banks likely offer the best value.

Suspect they take multiple day's to charge in the sun, but there are solar versions available too:

https://www.equipoutdoors.co.nz/companion-wireless-16000mah-powerbank-with-solar-panel

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