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Subject: General camp light?

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mike falconer User is Offline
Wilsonville oregon


05/15/2008 7:14 PM Alert 

Can anyone suggest a 12 volt light that I can use for general campsite lighting? Maybe something I can hang off the roof rack or maybe the outboard end of an awning?

I thought about worklamps, but I'm wondering if they would tend to throw more of a spot than a diffuse pattern. I just want something that could light up a wider area so that I can find my scotch when I need it plus keeps me from tripping over pesky rocks and other inconveniently placed objects.


"Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want."
Nevak Risew User is Offline
Seattle, WA


05/15/2008 10:10 PM Alert 

I used these Hellas and was happy with them. Not servicable, but inexpensive and fairly robust. Simple to install. They have about a 170 degree rotation in one direction so I would use one to illuminate the camp area when I needed, and the other I would point downward through the hatch glass onto the tailgate for mixing ritas and cooking etc. They were awesome for backup lamps. Like having headlamps in the rear. I'm revisiting this with the new rig and hope to find something more efficient. Hard to beat $15 though.

http://www.central4wd.com/inventorydetail.aspx?page=id%7C45270;folder%7C45275

 

edit: you can see them on the back of my rack in some of my gallery pics.

mike falconer User is Offline
Wilsonville oregon


05/16/2008 7:21 AM Alert 

Thanks for the link. Just ordred two of them. Sure can't beat the price.


"Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want."
Craig Miller User is Offline
Mt. Vernon, WA


05/16/2008 9:25 AM Alert 
Mike,

What you ordered will work well.

The Defender worklamps, and the one you ordered, produce a flood pattern. The Defender worklamp comes with a 55W bulb which is great for light, but in many ways is too much light and too big of a power draw. You can't really leave it on for extended periods unless the vehicle is running. I'm not sure about the Hella lights Kevan linked to, but I have a very similar product that I used as a worklamp in the past. It came with a 35W bulb. At the time I didn't like it because it wasn't bright enough for backing up, however it was just the right amount of light for illuminating the area just behind the truck.

I've recently replaced my 55W bulb with a 1W LED bulb. It is barely bright enough, but in many ways that is perfect for what I'll use it for. I'll probably put a second light on that is a true worklamp so I have the ability to flood my work area with light when I'm setting up camp in the dark.

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Nevak Risew User is Offline
Seattle, WA


05/16/2008 11:02 AM Alert 
Coolio. When you wire the lights I suggest having them separately switched so you can run one or both depending on circumstances. When I do it this time I'll probably put secondary switches back in the cargo area for convenience. Pretty sure they are 55w, but I never had a problem with them draining the battery. Of course I didn't leave them on all night either. Just ran them while setting up and cooking after dark, and then if I needed to light the area for some other reason. Don't forget to wire in a fuse! I have a funny story about that....for the campfire.
Craig Miller User is Offline
Mt. Vernon, WA


05/16/2008 11:30 AM Alert 
I have my switch located in the cargo area and that has worked well.

The only time I drained the battery was when the lamp was bumped in the morning and I didn't notice it was on. We had a lazy morning and didn't try to get out of camp until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. We were listening to music the whole time too. I've always been cautious with it though, and doubly so now that I have the fridge.

The LED lamp essentially replaced my battery operated LED lantern. I think I'll be able to just leave it on. I like it because it takes up less room than the lantern and I don't have to pack/unpack it. If I add a floodlamp w/ a 55 watt bulb on the other side (on a separate switch) I think I'll have a sweet setup. Mike could do this too. Just swap the bulb in one of the lamps for an LED bulb and he's set.

Craig



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Nevak Risew User is Offline
Seattle, WA


05/16/2008 5:30 PM Alert 
I just returned from a trip down south and stopped in at Central 4WD. The Hella lamps were $10.19ea in the store, and I grabbed two. It's an H3 55w in a waterproof rubber housing. They are the same thing you see on the semi trucks for their backup lamps. Hard to beat that for a cheap solution!
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