Home Made 12v lighting?

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

So I thinking of putting a lantern inside the camper. Like we discussed above.

For outside the camper, if I am understanding correctly that I can use 120v hardware for my 12v lighting, I really like these lights from Home Depot for outside the camper.



So, at the risk of appearing dim (pardon the pun), am I understanding correctly that I can use these 120v lights with a 12v bulb, I don't have to change out how they're wired (I am thinking the 120v socket would have a larger gauge wire inside)?

*** Addendum - Bought two of these for the outside of the camper on 8.01.09 at Home Depot for $10.97 each ***

Thanks, AL.

[BPFox]

Hey Gang,

So I thinking of putting a lantern inside the camper. Like we discussed above.

For outside the camper, if I am understanding correctly that I can use 120v hardware for my 12v lighting, I really like these lights from Home Depot for outside the camper.



So, at the risk of appearing dim (pardon the pun), am I understanding correctly that I can use these 120v lights with a 12v bulb, I don't have to change out how they're wired (I am thinking the 120v socket would have a larger gauge wire inside)?

Thanks, AL.

That light fixture is likely to have 16 gauge leads so using the 12 volt bulbs should pose no real problems. Tipically the 12 volt bulbs I get are 50 watts. I use them in standard lamps with 16 guage wire and have had no problems at all. I say, go for it.

Just on little side note; Larger wire is never a problem. Wire that is too small is another thing all together. It pretty much depends on how many light fixtures you plan on having on a single circuit.

[ELCHILEON]

Hey all,
After looking at a few of your ideas.., I was inspired to do something of my own !





I wrapped Electrical tape on both " Mini Mag Lights " for a snug fit & to keep the one on the " LEFT "(upside down) from falling into the bottle .

The lamp shade is held in place with a clip, which I placed onto the flashlight head on both versions.

I had to place a bit of tinfoil on the " Right " lamp, to divert/reflect the light downward, instead of straight up to the ceiling!

The " Mini Mag Lights " use " AA Batteries " and will fit many different types of empty " Bottles "..

L.M.

[Alfred]

Hey all,
After looking at a few of your ideas.., I was inspired to do something of my own !





I wrapped Electrical tape on both " Mini Mag Lights " for a snug fit & to keep the one on the " LEFT "(upside down) from falling into the bottle .

The lamp shade is held in place with a clip, which I placed onto the flashlight head on both versions.

I had to place a bit of tinfoil on the " Right " lamp, to divert/reflect the light downward, instead of straight up to the ceiling!

The " Mini Mag Lights " use " AA Batteries " and will fit many different types of empty " Bottles "..

L.M.

Hey! That's what I'm talking about! Now you have a unique set of lights that are sure to be conversation starters! I say cool! Creative! All right!

AL in Asheville

[ELCHILEON]

Hey .. Thanks for the thumbs up !!

Don't know for sure where they will fit inside of my " New Raindrop "..!

However .. they will make for a set of classy " Camping Table Lamps " !

L.M.

[eatatjoz]

Hey all,
After looking at a few of your ideas.., I was inspired to do something of my own !

/snip

I wrapped Electrical tape on both " Mini Mag Lights " for a snug fit & to keep the one on the " LEFT "(upside down) from falling into the bottle .

The lamp shade is held in place with a clip, which I placed onto the flashlight head on both versions.

I had to place a bit of tinfoil on the " Right " lamp, to divert/reflect the light downward, instead of straight up to the ceiling!

The " Mini Mag Lights " use " AA Batteries " and will fit many different types of empty " Bottles "..

L.M.

That's cool!
The one on the left could use a tail button.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tcs-1.html
A+ idea. Too bad a mini mag doesn't fit in my Dos Equis bottles.

[Alfred]

Ordered two of these smaller 8" lanterns from Amazon.com today - They were selling them out for $1.98 each plus S/H. They have them in red and blue, I bought two of them in red. Hoping to convert them to electrical for inside the camper.



AL in Asheville

[ELCHILEON]

Hey eatatjoz,

I just re-checked three different " Beer Type " bottles laying around the house !

Sierra Nevada
Mike Hard Lemonade
Seagrams Wild Berry

It was a loose fit in all of them. I can't see why the " Mini Mag Light " wouldn't work out with most of the others !!

Although , it would be best to use a " Dark Colored Glass ", to conceal the Flashlite inside .

L.M.

[ELCHILEON]

Hey eatatjoz,

Your right .. I just checked . It won't work ( Fit ) in a " Dos Equis " bottle !

L.M.

[eatatjoz]

I just hope that the Dos Equis was properly disposed of.

[ELCHILEON]

Well, I picked up a " Six Pack " , just to make sure there wasn't any variance in the dimensions .. none fit .... !

I did take note ... there wasn't any difference in " Taste " !

[wlooper89]

Not homemade but we like the Coleman "retro" rechargeable 12V lantern. It works very nicely for outside the trailer. It contains a small sealed lead acid battery and can recharge with an AC adapter or 12V outlet. We have two of them partly for home use when the power goes out.

The lantern runs for 7 to 9 hours on a charge, in other words all evening. Then it can be recharged overnight or during the day. The only problem was the second one would not hold a charge. It quickly reached the point where it would not illuminate at all. But REI was good about replacing it and the new one works fine.

Before I put in 12V reading lights we used the first Coleman retro lantern inside the trailer. Set it between the pillows and it puts out quite a good light for reading. This is a link to a photo and reviews, one of the reviews is from me. A couple of people complained about the weight but it is not meant for backpacking. Lead plates in the battery have got to have some weight. It is a little less than 6 lbs and one is not constantly replacing D cell batteries.
http://www.rei.com/product/723290

Bill

[switterstx]

I just got two of those little lanterns and a couple of automotive light sockets. I think I have a plan for getting the socket in there but I'm afraid I'm not quite sure how I'm going to put it all together. Al, I'm curious how you are going to do it. I definitely want to use the little lanterns, just can't figure out how, if I get the socket and light in there, how I'll ever change the light.

[Alfred]

I just got two of those little lanterns and a couple of automotive light sockets. I think I have a plan for getting the socket in there but I'm afraid I'm not quite sure how I'm going to put it all together. Al, I'm curious how you are going to do it. I definitely want to use the little lanterns, just can't figure out how, if I get the socket and light in there, how I'll ever change the light.

I just received the little lanterns, was out-of-town when they came in. I haven't started working with them yet...I will probably take a look on Thursday, my next day off. Will keep you posted. Let me know if you come up with a solution, too!

Thanks, AL.

[Miriam C.]

I just got two of those little lanterns and a couple of automotive light sockets. I think I have a plan for getting the socket in there but I'm afraid I'm not quite sure how I'm going to put it all together. Al, I'm curious how you are going to do it. I definitely want to use the little lanterns, just can't figure out how, if I get the socket and light in there, how I'll ever change the light.

I just received the little lanterns, was out-of-town when they came in. I haven't started working with them yet...I will probably take a look on Thursday, my next day off. Will keep you posted. Let me know if you come up with a solution, too!

Thanks, AL.

If the globe on this little lantern doesn't lift enough to do what you need you can probably take it apart. I am thinking there was a way to replace the globe on the old ones I had.........