Indoor lighting when there is no Electricity

23436 Views 71 Replies 43 Participants Last post by RedWoods, May 29, 2010

OhioMan

Discussion Starter · May 1, 2010

Like many here I have oil lamps, candles but I have recently changed my focus in this area to those solar powered lawn landscaping lights. I bought a dozen of those cheap $5 ones at homedepot.

I am trying to find a way of making them slighty brighter, I switched out their cheap Chinese batteries with some quality lithium rechargable batteries. We put 5 of them across the fireplace mantle with a mirror behind them and they lit the room pretty good but I wonder if there is anything else I can do

Is anyone doing this and have any ideas or any thoughts on this?

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letsgetreal

· #21 · May 2, 2010

kev said:
Solar powered lights instead of candles or lanterns are a good option. There is very little chance of fire, and their a renewable resource..........

Nice, we use those as well........may I suggest a coffee can( or large soup can) filled with sand or pea gravel as a base.........we also use batt powered headlamps.....you have light wherever you look.

OhioMan

Discussion Starter · #22 · May 2, 2010

MikeK said:
I haven't bought any of the solar yard lights. Well, I have one, but it's for lighting up a halloween display. :

I use cheapo LED flashlights and rechargeable batteries. Works out about as cheap and is brighter. I have a bunch of small solar battery chargers and one larger unit.

Also have a bunch of oil lamps and candles. Before I was forced to move back into the city, my plans were to grow my own oil for them.

I am so far behind in about everything "solar", this summer I am giving this my full attention. My Dw (a teacher) takes continuing education classes over the summer and I usually takes something with her for the heck of it, I'm hoping they offer some type of introduction to basic solar power or something along those lines.

OM

MikeK

· #23 · May 2, 2010

OhioMan said:
I am so far behind in about everything "solar", this summer I am giving this my full attention. My Dw (a teacher) takes continuing education classes over the summer and I usually takes something with her for the heck of it, I'm hoping they offer some type of introduction to basic solar power or something along those lines.

OM

I don't keep up with it much, myself. I just realized that I have some battery powered devices that I consider important. Radios, flashlights, gunsights, etc. So I standardized them to run on the same size batteries (AA), then looked for charging solutions. Unfortunately some of my things like the pull pin perimeter alarms needed 9v batteries.

I found a panel charger that had various attachments for charging all size batteries and bought it. Then I got to thinking how important the batteries would be in a bug out, so I looked again.

This time I found small chargers that had some useful features. They have a gauge so you could tell how strong the sunlight is. This lets you figure out the charge times. They also would charge every possible battery size, including 9v (and prismatics, whatever those are). I bought a dozen.

What I need to do now is upgrade my aging nicads to the new, low loss NiMH batteries. Dangit they're pricey though and I'm broke. I think I'll spend some time at the DMV installing license plates!

:

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OhioMan

Discussion Starter · #24 · May 2, 2010

MikeK said:
I don't keep up with it much, myself. I just realized that I have some battery powered devices that I consider important. Radios, flashlights, gunsights, etc. So I standardized them to run on the same size batteries (AA), then looked for charging solutions. Unfortunately some of my things like the pull pin perimeter alarms needed 9v batteries.

I found a panel charger that had various attachments for charging all size batteries and bought it. Then I got to thinking how important the batteries would be in a bug out, so I looked again.

This time I found small chargers that had some useful features. They have a gauge so you could tell how strong the sunlight is. This lets you figure out the charge times. They also would charge every possible battery size, including 9v (and prismatics, whatever those are). I bought a dozen.

What I need to do now is upgrade my aging nicads to the new, low loss NiMH batteries. Dangit they're pricey though and I'm broke. I think I'll spend some time at the DMV installing license plates! :

Nice set-up, you are far ahead of me. Recharging batteries with solar is definately on my priority list. One of other goals is to find out if I can run a small 5 cubic foot freeze. I don't know if thats possible and reasonably priced.

If I can make ice and keep meat frozen that would huge in my overall plan. Maybe I'm dreaming but now that my food preps are nearly complete I want to explore all the possibilties in that area.

I see you remember the licence plate idea my son is doing, he still does that on Saturday mornings and some during the week if he needs the money. So far that hasn't been any problems. I keep telling him to NOT tell his friends or you'll have competion!

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Wild-Will

· #25 · May 2, 2010

So far I have lots of candles, some oil lamps with several spare wicks and bottles of lamp oil with more to be obtained, some Coleman lanterns of the white gas and propane variety with more fuel to be obtained, some dynamo flashlights and several battery powered flashlights with lots of batteries and more to be obtained.
After reading all this I'm going to get the funds together to get into solar battery charging. I have several truck batteries in good shape not currently being used, a 1000 watt DC inverter and several different type AC battery chargers. Just need some solar panels to charge the truck batteries to start it all up.

Silver Survivor

· #26 · May 2, 2010

Wild-Will said:
So far I have lots of candles, some oil lamps with several spare wicks and bottles of lamp oil with more to be obtained, some Coleman lanterns of the white gas and propane variety with more fuel to be obtained, some dynamo flashlights and several battery powered flashlights with lots of batteries and more to be obtained.
After reading all this I'm going to get the funds together to get into solar battery charging. I have several truck batteries in good shape not currently being used, a 1000 watt DC inverter and several different type AC battery chargers. Just need some solar panels to charge the truck batteries to start it all up.

Be careful wiring it all up. You must use the proper wire guage or else your wires may melt and start a fire. I'm using 4 gauge wire in my setup.

I read about one guy who's electricity got shut off, so he tried lighting up his house with a car battery and a headlight...He ended up burning down the house and 5 people died in the fire including some kids. I've heard similar stories about people trying to light up their house with candles or oil lamps. These things can be complicated and dangerous to those who don't use them on a regular basis.

High Kapacity

· #27 · May 2, 2010

had these in the backyard before, outside they last about a year before failing. but for the price, its not too bad a source.

ELBUFO

· #28 · May 2, 2010

See The Light

Since I am totally "Off the Grid"...Let's just say power is not an issue. I do however have Kerosene back ups. One item I will suggest is the Humphrey's lamp. http://www.gas-lights.com/paulin.html Incidentally I have done business with this company for many years.
They are super fuel efficient 1/12 of a pound/hr. 1 Gal of Propane = 4.23 Lbs.
I have been using them for over 15 years. One lesson learned is to order a hi-altitude jet...every now and again you will run into one that just doesn't like the std jet and will carbon up (about $4 for the jet)

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BadgeBunny

· #29 · May 2, 2010

ELBUFO said:
Since I am totally "Off the Grid"...Let's just say power is not an issue. I do however have Kerosene back ups. One item I will suggest is the Humphrey's lamp. http://www.gas-lights.com/paulin.html Incidentally I have done business with this company for many years.
They are super fuel efficient 1/12 of a pound/hr. 1 Gal of Propane = 4.23 Lbs.
I have been using them for over 15 years. One lesson learned is to order a hi-altitude jet...every now and again you will run into one that just doesn't like the std jet and will carbon up (about $4 for the jet)

Oh, man ... what I would give ... :thumb:

Tacanils

· #30 · May 2, 2010 (Edited)

If using solar pannels and a battery bank Using an inverter is a bit wasteful there are many efficient low voltage lamps available. The lamps have a built in inverters but only work when the lamp is on.
http://www.alternativetechnology.info/12voltlighting.htm

Silver Survivor

· #31 · May 2, 2010

Tacanils said:
If using solar pannels and a battery bank Using an inverter is a bit wasteful there are many efficient low voltage lamps available. The lamps have a built in inverters but only work when the build is on http://www.alternativetechnology.info/12voltlighting.htm

Try running a drill or a saw on 12 volts....the inverter makes it possible to give you 110 ac power to whatever appliance you want. 12 volt appliances become expensive and can be hard to find. Plus you have to deal with larger gauge wire to handle the extra current. I'll stick with my inverter thank you.

Tacanils

· #32 · May 2, 2010

Sorry was just thinking about lights.

ELBUFO

· #33 · May 2, 2010

Size Matters

TAC...When I first started out I did the 12v light thing. I found them to be a mistake. The units did not hold up to continuous use. Sides when you got satellite TV and internet, and a LARGE battery bank, What's the point of skimping on lights. During that time I used the Humphries lamps more than the 12v. Now that I have solar up and running, I have more power than I normally use. I still run the generator every couple of weeks just to "Equalize" the batteries and do laundry. 12 V is great for limited use, like in a travel trailer, or Car camping, but that's about it. On a quality inverter figure about 10% loss just to run the inverter. When you are blowing 300 watts on the tube, what's another 40 or so for lights? I honestly did not notice any significant change in charge cycles.

Tacanils

· #34 · May 2, 2010

How about Solar shed Lights. You can mount the solar panel outside permanently http://www.iosss.com/shopping/review.asp?prod=3163

Wild-Will

· #35 · May 2, 2010

djwayne said:
Be careful wiring it all up. You must use the proper wire guage or else your wires may melt and start a fire. I'm using 4 gauge wire in my setup.

I read about one guy who's electricity got shut off, so he tried lighting up his house with a car battery and a headlight...He ended up burning down the house and 5 people died in the fire including some kids. I've heard similar stories about people trying to light up their house with candles or oil lamps. These things can be complicated and dangerous to those who don't use them on a regular basis.

Not a problem, been dealing with electricity for years and I'm very familiar with Watt's law and Ohm's law along with most other electrical theory. I also have a copy of UGLY's guide along with others when I need some assistance.

sarge912

· #36 · May 3, 2010

djwayne said:
I have a solar powered set up. It's a little expensive, but it works good. I start out with a 5 watt solar charger battery charger, I got at Harbor Freight, that charges up two deep cycle UPS batteries I have. Then I connected up a 1500 watt inverter to convert the 12 volts to 110 AC, and that'll power up standard lamps to light up my house. This also gives me up to 1500 watts of 110AC for small appliances as well.

Solar panel from Harbor Freight......$ 40.00
two UPS batteries........................$ 40.00 each
110 ac 1500 watt inverter.............$ 120.00
Misc cables, extention cords..........$ 25.00
Two lamps with bulbs about ..........$ 20.00

So for under $250 I have a solar powered emergency lighting system. This will also power small hand tools, drills, grinders, saws.... etc.

I don't know what kind of lights you are using but I suggest you use 12v LED taillights to build you lamps. They work great and you don't lose anything through the inversion process. The more 12v things vs 120 ac the better in my mind anyway.

Silver Survivor

· #37 · May 3, 2010

sarge912 said:
I don't know what kind of lights you are using but I suggest you use 12v LED taillights to build you lamps. They work great and you don't lose anything through the inversion process. The more 12v things vs 120 ac the better in my mind anyway.

I'm using 13 watt CFL bulbs for their low wattage usage. I can hook up as many as I want and lamps are easy to come by. I can use regular lamps and extension cords, no need for specialty wiring.

Keep in mind, my setup is for emergency use only and not meant for everyday use. My 5 watt solar panel only gives a trickle charge, but it's enough to keep my batteries charged up. I have two 100 AH batteries, so I should have lighting for a fair amount of time.

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Silver Survivor

· #38 · May 3, 2010

Another problem I have with 12 volt systems, is that for safety reasons, you really need to have a fuse on each circuit. With my set up, there's a circuit breaker/reset button built in to my inverter, so I don't have to mess with that. For even more protection, I can run power strips with built in breakers.

Look at the wiring in a car. It has multiple fuses each for a different thing. Running all those wires separately into your house would be wiring nightmare. At the lower 12 volt rating, your amperage rating skyrockets and you need heavier wire. Running wires at a long distance, also creates a problem with amperage, cost of wiring, and power drops.

So to avoid all the headaches associated with 12 volt systems, I went with an inverter and a 110 AC system.

rosss

· #39 · May 3, 2010

can you rig car batteries up to lights inside?

Tacanils

· #40 · May 3, 2010

rosss said:
can you rig car batteries up to lights inside?

Your lights need 110/240V AC the easy way to get this from a car battery is to use an inverter. An inverter chops the power to a sort of a sine wave and ups the voltage. The better the sine wave the more costly the inverter. This conversion has a small loss. Like a generator inverters with a small load are not too inefficient. Only turn on the inverter when you need the power if you just turn off the light the inverter will still take power from you battery. Check the no load power spec of the inverter some have a standby mode when no power is needed.
I have an ups system in my house that works my pc. The battery bank gives 96V DC at 21 A/hr. I found some compact energy lamp rated at 240V AC work just as well of 96V DC. The current drawn is around 35mA (less than 4W) the battery would last 21 days in theory at that rate. The ups with no load last about 12 hours.
The purpose of a fuse is to open an electronic circuit when current flow exceeds a certain amount, determined by the rating of the fuse. Opening a circuit under high current conditions can save electronic components from damaged and prevents overheating, which could cause a fire.
The more fuses you have the less catastrophic the failure will be. One fuse is one point of failure. Divide your load into circuits as you see fit.
Remember the fuse must be the weakest point in the circuit to do its job. Using a low voltage means higher current needing thicker more expensive wire. If the wire is not up to the job it will get hot which wastes power and could end up burning you house down.
Using low voltage has many advantages in a SHTF less than 50V dc could be considered non lethal must still be treated with respect. 12v power is cheap and easy to find lots car batteries. Running a generator is noisy which could tell people where you are and the fumes could kill you. Of cause at some time you need to charge the battery. Car batteries (Cranking) are not the best long term they don’t like to be fully discharged look a leisure/ups batteries.
You need chose what’s best for you I hope I’ve given some useful info.

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