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Thomas Edison Project

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by EMA, Jun 27, 2019.

  1. Jun 27, 2019
    EMA

    EMA Member

    Lake Elsinore,...
    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2019
    Messages:
    82
    During our night time travels across the desert... we stop frequently to rest for about an hour. Have some coffee and go over maps & compass readings.
    During this hour we have two options: ( Camp Lighting...not to light up our journey )

    1) Install an " Inverter " on the rig to use 120v clamp lights.
    OR
    2 ) Put 12v, 60watt lightbulbs in the clamp lights & change out the plugs for battery clamps.
    I have seen these lamps at RV places also...
    My question is:
    If the 60watt, ( AC-120v ) use draws 0.5amp...…..but on the Inverter and the 12v-lamp, ( DC ) draws 0.50amps. ( Considering that there would be amp draw from the Inverter even when just " idle mode " ).
    Flashlights are combersome
    Colman Lanterns break Glow Bags & need VERY flammable fuel
    Battery powered lanterns...well just get tossed around & broke.
    My main concern is vehicle " Battery Life "...?

    Our whole adventure is navigating the sometimes rough, rocky, sandy, dangerous travel by night only.
    During the day; we get needed repairs done... repack...reload... and go again for sometimes three or for days at a trip.
    I have packed in a small generator but that is just more lost space & weight.

    All ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated..!
    Side Note:
    We discuss this almost EVERY night someway.... :)

    Thanks,

    George
     
  2. Jun 27, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Incandescent or florescent?

    Either way there's no free lunch-

    A 12 volt 60 watt lamp will take 5 amps, not .5.

    An inverter powering a 120 volt 60 watt light will draw around 5.5 to 6 amps from the battery depending on it's efficiency at the load you're drawing.​

    I would go with LED 12 volt lights, about 1/10th the power draw of incandescent or 1/5th of florescent for equivalent light.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2019
  3. Jun 27, 2019
    EMA

    EMA Member

    Lake Elsinore,...
    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2019
    Messages:
    82
    Good point...and I stand corrected..!
    Got my math screwed up....again.
    The LED idea sounds promising....
    Will do some " Garage Tests "..... :)
    We have a two-week trip planned soon coming.
    Would really be nice NOT to screw around with stuff that does not work.
    Thanks..!

    George
     
  4. Jun 27, 2019
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    My first thought was LEDs as well. Coleman has a number of LED lanterns available. Lots of other options out there too.

    I wouldn't draw from my main Jeep battery with an inverter, unless you intend to leave the engine running? I had a small inverter in our truck while we traveled, and even that ran much better when the truck was idling.
     
  5. Jun 27, 2019
    EMA

    EMA Member

    Lake Elsinore,...
    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2019
    Messages:
    82
    I have a medium inverter in my Tahoe for when the wife and I do road trips up north. Kinda nice to have the Mr. Coffee at the rest stops... :)
    As for the off road trips...looking to try decluttering of gadgets and stuff. Less to find, fix, or toss once back.
    I have two batteries I use in the rig because of the all the off road lighting at mostly idle speeds + a separate Lithium 12v for the two radios. The Lithium gets charged by a small solar panel I throw on the sand during our stop during the day.
    Just have a female socket on the body panel I plug the solar power cord into.
    Thanks..!
     
    Cowboyjeeper likes this.
  6. Jun 30, 2019
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,418
    I would look at something like a led cordless trouble light. I've taken my snapon one camping and it lasts all weekend on 1 battery. They usually have a hook or magnet to hang it up with and are way brighter than an incandescent bulb. Whether you convert a trouble light to clamp on the auto battery or get one thats self contained it will still be packed somewhere.
     
  7. Jun 30, 2019
    EMA

    EMA Member

    Lake Elsinore,...
    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2019
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    Great idea..!
    Thanks,

    George
     
  8. Aug 27, 2019
    Thean

    Thean Member

    HSB Idaho
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Messages:
    88
    Dewalt 20v series has a couple led lights and a 12v charger available. Plus you can run an impact gun for lug nuts, etc. Amp/hr of battery, would determine longevity vs weight.
     
  9. Aug 27, 2019
    53A1

    53A1 Member

    Kern Co. Ca.
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    447
    Camp lighting? Hate to say it but I still use both a gas lantern and several battery LED flashlights varieties. I can't stand or trust battery power and don't want to rely on my car battery only. I say all of the above when it comes to lighting. I carry a couple extra packs of mantels or just put new ones on before the trip and pre-burn them when I'm ready to use it. Coleman fuel is just pure gasoline and I keep it in a small seperate metal container so it's no more dangerous than what's in your gas tank. I also have a very small single burner to heat a pan. You really only need enough fuel to fill both tanks and then pour it back in a metal can when packing up. They are as bright as LED because they are incondecent. Nothing quite compares if you need to light up a camp site and heat some water. A lamp will burn for hours on one tank and you can carry it around incase you need to travel at night for some reason. Save your batteries for real emergencies. They also put out allot of heat and will keep your hands warm. Most important, you DON"T want to run out of lighting options at night or you could be in trouble.
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2019
  10. Aug 30, 2019
    EMA

    EMA Member

    Lake Elsinore,...
    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2019
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    82
    I am from Ridgecrest, born & raised..... :)
    My play ground so to speak...know a lot of areas around there.
    We had all gone up there a few years back for a week of "off grid camping ".... went out to the Pinnacles out near Trona.
    We arrived early in the morning about 2am in the morning.
    Four vehicles...I was the lead truck.
    Driving along a ridge road that was elevated about twenty feet up above the rest of the area looking for a side road down in the dark.
    My buddy yells out, " there it is..! " So I made a slight turn to the direction he was pointing as we slowly rolled on.
    I then realized it was not the road I was looking for, and not a road at all.
    As I tried to slowly steer back onto the road we came in on, the right tire started to dig in to the axle.
    Stopped, looked at my buddy..... and that is when it happened..!
    The truck did a slow roll over with both of us looking each other.
    It landed on the roof wheels up.
    We climbed out and stumbled around in the soft sand and rock.
    Not like we had our lights off....EVERYTHING was ON...
    Lower "Road Lights"
    Upper " Trail Lights.
    Side Lights, Left & Right.
    Light bar with Pencils.
    Headlights ( all four + high beam )
    The rest of our vehicles all stopped behind.... everyone got out.
    We made camp to wait for daylight; sleeping in the upside down cab.
    At day break...brought out the cables and winches.
    Spent a wonderful week about 30 miles South further down the road.
    No damage other than my " oops "......
    I think back now... had too much light....lesson learned.

    Take Care.... Be Safe.... And ENJOY those memories..!
     
  11. Aug 31, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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  12. Aug 31, 2019
    EMA

    EMA Member

    Lake Elsinore,...
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    Nothin like a good camp fire though... :)
     
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