Power Outage, How many Lumens, How many batteries? (for lights and more)

[Poppy]

Biker Bear,
Your Trail Marker lights are great little MacGyver-isms!
<snip>

During one power outage, I used my 12V cordless drill battery to power my 8C radio. The kids drained the batteries, and used up my spares.

Thank you - <snip>



Oops. Dare I presume that led to Having A Talk?

LOL... Yeah, we had a little talk, but talking doesn't always work :shakehead
So I got a little sneaky don't tell the kids.
I put fresh batteries in the radio, and placed a little piece of cardboard at the ends by the connectors. Now, if they want to use the radio, they'll think the batteries are still dead, and will plug it into an outlet. :devil:

This way, I have fresh batteries stored IN THE UNIT.

Actually, I might have used a small piece of plastic which would add a little extra protection against alkaleeks.

 

[reppans]

......to 31hr 22min for the D40a....

Interesting..... sounds like a true 30lm/30hr mode. My D40A sample happens to test in at 15lm/60hrs (2000 mah Eneloops), which as a low lumen/runtime enthusiast, I am very happy with.

....My TN30 has a 38 lm setting........However, placed on the head-board, with a paper or cardboard reflector/diffuser (our friend reppans style) would allow two people to read without headlamps.

Poppy, if you use aluminum foil tape (found in any hardware store) on the other half of the card to retain a focused beam, you'll be able to double-triple your runtime with the same reading illumination. Clicky. My family uses this method to illuminate board games and the dining table during blackouts... sometimes throwing the lumens everywhere works, sometimes more specific illumination works.

 

[bluemax_1]

Interesting..... sounds like a true 30lm/30hr mode. My D40A sample happens to test in at 15lm/60hrs (2000 mah Eneloops), which as a low lumen/runtime enthusiast, I am very happy with.



Poppy, if you use aluminum foil tape (found in any hardware store) on the other half of the card to retain a focused beam, you'll be able to double-triple your runtime with the same reading illumination. Clicky. My family uses this method to illuminate board games and the dining table during blackouts... sometimes throwing the lumens everywhere works, sometimes more specific illumination works.

That's a great suggestion with the foil tape and with it on only half the card, you can swap sides based on your needs and the foil still produces some diffusion compared to the bare beam.


Max

 

[reppans]

That's a great suggestion with the foil tape and with it on only half the card, you can swap sides based on your needs and the foil still produces some diffusion compared to the bare beam...

Thanks, but it's not a new suggestion, it's always been part of the diffuser/reflector. Anyone notice the wire twisty ties taped down on the back? That allows you precisely aim the light with about ~45 degrees of angle adjustment. Also, I keep 2 small plastic film discs (red and yellow) taped to back which I can drop on the lens for colored light. In combination with a strobe function, it can serve as an roadside emergency flare. I lost a good friend that was struck and killed by car as he was assisting a broken down motorist :-(

 

[Poppy]

Interesting..... sounds like a true 30lm/30hr mode. My D40A sample happens to test in at 15lm/60hrs (2000 mah Eneloops), which as a low lumen/runtime enthusiast, I am very happy with.



Poppy, if you use aluminum foil tape (found in any hardware store) on the other half of the card to retain a focused beam, you'll be able to double-triple your runtime with the same reading illumination. Clicky. My family uses this method to illuminate board games and the dining table during blackouts... sometimes throwing the lumens everywhere works, sometimes more specific illumination works.

Holy crap! Your dining room is more utilitarian than mine Clicky. How do you hold that light while using that room as a Reading Room? LOL... maybe I really don't want to know?

 

[reppans]

Holy crap! Your dining room is more utilitarian than mine Clicky. How do you hold that light while using that room as a Reading Room? LOL... maybe I really don't want to know?

Touche!

Actually Poppy, you really ain't that far from the truth - for a few months out of a year, I really could be cooking my dinner from the "reading room." Clicky.

 

[Poppy]

Touche!

Actually Poppy, you really ain't that far from the truth - for a few months out of a year, I really could be cooking my dinner from the "reading room." Clicky.

Very nice!

During the summer cooking inside heats up the cab VERY quickly, due to that fact, we'd often cook outside on a coleman stove. Many times though, I have used a George Forman style electric grill (one that cooks both sides at the same time) and that works well, without throwing as much waste heat into the cab.

I'm thinking that if you were looking at an extended outage, the family would be planning a "road trip" :thumbsup:

 

[reppans]

...Many times though, I have used a George Forman style electric grill (one that cooks both sides at the same time) and that works well, without throwing as much waste heat into the cab...

Absolutely, those things are great and one lives in my rig (mine's billed as a panini press, but is essentially the same thing), although I'm not concerned with cab heat (my rig is so small, the ceiling fan can replace the cab air every 60 secs). I love them out of sheer laziness - cooks in <5 mins, easy clean-up, grease splatter stays outside.

 

[tonijedi]

This is just my opinion, and I know this is a "light" forum so please don't burn me alive :duh2:
In a power outage having light wouldn't be my greatest concern. If I can have everything else (food, water, perhaps heating) what do you need the light for? Just do your things day time and sleep in the night (and do other interesting things in bed too). "Oh but there is an emergancy" so ok, you should have your flashlights prepared like in any other occasion.
It's like hiking for several days, use the daylight and sleep when it gets dark. If there is a long power outage I think there are worse problems than lighting.

 

[DoubleA]

I know this thread is about flashlights mainly, but since extended power outages was the big focus, I'd like to chime in about what I have deemed as necessary for myself (just one person).

My way of thinking is that a single candle can take care of my general lighting needs in the room I'm in. Flashlights would be used when a candle is not safe or bright enough, such as when I'm moving around alot or going outside. For that, I believe that my use for a flashlight would be very intermittent, and 10 minutes total use per night would be needed. A light that can last 5 hours per battery change would last a month at this rate. Of course, more batteries could easily be stocked, but not a huge number is needed.

That's the beauty of candles: they don't age, don't need aging batteries, tealights are super cheap for the amount of time you get from them (150-200 hours per bag of 50). Flashlights can have their problems, especially with electronics and batteries, so I like the idea of a candle for lighting the room I'm in, and that's what would require the bulk of my lighting needs.

 

[braddy]

tonijedi -- If you have a family then you should know the importance of light during an emergency.

Being unable to see for up to 12 hours is incredibly bizarre, disorienting and dangerous. People have much to do after dark, fetching firewood, cooking, treating an injury or wound, or illness, checking security outside or even inside the house, comforting a child, making repairs on equipment and gear, bathroom activities.

The idea that on a moonless winter day, that everything from cooking to eating, to using the toilet, must be done by 6pm, not to be restarted until 6am, is not ideal, especially with a house full of children to contend with.

In pioneer days, nighttime was a period of much work and activities that were best done while sitting, or inside.

Life doesn't cease when the sun goes down, and you won't catch me camping and unable to treat a wound or injury, or secure a downed tent in a storm, or identify a noise, or locate my gun, because I don't have a means of light.

I question whether you were being authentic in your question.

 

[braddy]

DoubleA-- Candles are fine, and part of the mix.

Flashlights don't cause fires, and lights that run for a 100 hours on a single AA, or for hundreds of hours on a single 18650, make good lanterns when used with a diffuser.

Some of us here have flashlights that will produce 10 lumens for 140 hours on a single battery. Using that light for 5 hours a night, gives you a month's worth of a switch on, switch off, lantern, clean and simple, and cooler for hot climates, also more versatile.

 

[tonijedi]

I was by no means saying you don't need a flashlight, but as others said meanwhile you can have many hours of burntime with a decent flashlight. When I go hiking (my maximum was only 10 days in the woods) I obviously do take flashlights (usually the setup is 1 headlamp per person and 1 handheld flahlight per tent). Presently I EDC 3 flashlights (usually just 1 AAA and 1 Photon but as lately I need to carry a backpack why not throw a Fenix LD10 and an extra battery?).
What I was trying to say is that you don't really need a pile of batteries. And I have some hand cranking flahlights and lanterns that work just fine for indoors or if used with care not to break. And my girlfriend loves candles.

 

[braddy]

This is just my opinion, and I know this is a "light" forum so please don't burn me alive :duh2:
In a power outage having light wouldn't be my greatest concern. If I can have everything else (food, water, perhaps heating) what do you need the light for? Just do your things day time and sleep in the night (and do other interesting things in bed too). "Oh but there is an emergancy" so ok, you should have your flashlights prepared like in any other occasion.
It's like hiking for several days, use the daylight and sleep when it gets dark. If there is a long power outage I think there are worse problems than lighting.

I didn't even see any mention of batteries.

 

[tonijedi]

It mentions flashlights and most flashlights run on batteries. So yeah, if you know how to use a flashlight you should have batteries.
You go to the knife forum and the plan is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 flashlight
20 knives

You go to the radio and comm's forum and it is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 knife
20 two way radios

Here it's 20 flashlights and 200 batteries... nothing wrong with flashlights (I have plenty, running on AA's, AAA's, 18650, 123, solar, hand cranked) but there's (much) more besides it.
So, my opinion on the main question of the thread is:
a - 1 headlamp per person
b - 1 flashlight with diffuser for each room
c - Enough batteries to run the lights for 3 days * 6 hours = 18 hours with a lumen output just enough to cook, use the toilet, eat.

 

[Poppy]

It mentions flashlights and most flashlights run on batteries. So yeah, if you know how to use a flashlight you should have batteries.
You go to the knife forum and the plan is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 flashlight
20 knives

You go to the radio and comm's forum and it is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 knife
20 two way radios

Here it's 20 flashlights and 200 batteries... nothing wrong with flashlights (I have plenty, running on AA's, AAA's, 18650, 123, solar, hand cranked) but there's (much) more besides it.
So, my opinion on the main question of the thread is:
a - 1 headlamp per person
b - 1 flashlight with diffuser for each room
c - Enough batteries to run the lights for 3 days * 6 hours = 18 hours with a lumen output just enough to cook, use the toilet, eat.

A Jedi, comments NOT with scarcasm, yes?

Here in part is the OP's scenario

Let's say there is an extended power outage 5-7 days, and you are a family of four. Two adults, and two children ages 5 and 10.

So tonijedi's proposal is to have four headlamps, and perhaps three flashlights, (living room, kitchen, toilet) and enough battery power for three days. I guess days 4-7 will be spent in darkness?

OK... yeah I was sarcastic, but I am NOT a Jedi.

IMO this has been an intelligent discussion of power needs or wants to live comfortably in one's home, for perhaps a week's duration. It has taken into consideration that some individuals prefer low lumens, and others prefer more. I don't recall any posts recommending an over-abundance of lights (other than to lend some out to others).

 

[tonijedi]

Well, I even have more headlamps and flashlights than what I "recommend" I don't think it would be a problem for most people on this forum.
Besides that, I really find it pratical to have a light in each room (taken in consideration everyone knows where it is).

The thing is, when you start the scenario you don't know if it's going to be 1 hour, 3 days or 7 days of power outage. It's easy to empty a bunch of batteries if you use the high modes of the flashlights so I find the idea of having hand-cranked and solar flashlights a good one even though they are not indestructible, require work or sun, can have poor durability, are quite fragile, make noise (hand cranked)...

 

[braddy]

It mentions flashlights and most flashlights run on batteries. So yeah, if you know how to use a flashlight you should have batteries.
You go to the knife forum and the plan is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 flashlight
20 knives

You go to the radio and comm's forum and it is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 knife
20 two way radios

Here it's 20 flashlights and 200 batteries... nothing wrong with flashlights (I have plenty, running on AA's, AAA's, 18650, 123, solar, hand cranked) but there's (much) more besides it.
So, my opinion on the main question of the thread is:
a - 1 headlamp per person
b - 1 flashlight with diffuser for each room
c - Enough batteries to run the lights for 3 days * 6 hours = 18 hours with a lumen output just enough to cook, use the toilet, eat.

Is that what you do, go to forums and post like you did on this one, and then argue with people and contradict yourself?

 

[Poppy]

Is that what you do, go to forums and post like you did on this one, and then argue with people and contradict yourself?

braddy, he is but a young jedi apprentice and needs yet to learn the ways of the Force/Forum. He is still awaiting the delivery of his first 18650 power cells.

Well, I even have more headlamps and flashlights than what I "recommend" I don't think it would be a problem for most people on this forum.
Besides that, I really find it pratical to have a light in each room (taken in consideration everyone knows where it is).

The thing is, when you start the scenario you don't know if it's going to be 1 hour, 3 days or 7 days of power outage. <SNIP>..

Yes my young apprentice, perhaps you can now see the theme behind the thread, and the reason for asking the original question. Hopefully it will make one THINK about what his lighting desires are, not only for himself, but for those in his immediate care. While one may be comfortable with 4-10 lumens, other family members may need 80-120 lumens to be comfortable, maybe more. This thread, hopefully makes one consider what the power demands would be to supply the desired amount of light, and how he may supply that power for a week. Rechargeable batteries are a recurrent solution.

Regarding the duration of the outage, while it is true, one can't predict exactly how long it will be, if he has a radio, he might be able to make a reasonable approximation. For example, if there are multiple volcanoes erupting, concurrently with earth quakes, and continental land masses colliding, one, might assume that the power will be out for a very long time. OTOH, if one heard a crash, and half of his block lost power, he might assume that the power will be returned within three hours.

If one is prepared for seven days, one can typically extend that for a month. If his plan includes a way to recharge rechargeables, then he might go on for years.

 

[jimboutilier]

It mentions flashlights and most flashlights run on batteries. So yeah, if you know how to use a flashlight you should have batteries.
You go to the knife forum and the plan is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 flashlight
20 knives

You go to the radio and comm's forum and it is:
1 tuna fish can
1 water bottle
1 knife
20 two way radios

Here it's 20 flashlights and 200 batteries... nothing wrong with flashlights (I have plenty, running on AA's, AAA's, 18650, 123, solar, hand cranked) but there's (much) more besides it.
So, my opinion on the main question of the thread is:
a - 1 headlamp per person
b - 1 flashlight with diffuser for each room
c - Enough batteries to run the lights for 3 days * 6 hours = 18 hours with a lumen output just enough to cook, use the toilet, eat.

Don't forget once you've been to all the forums it's
20 tuna fish cans
20 water bottles
20 knives
20 two way radios
20 flashlights
20 guns
.....
Well, you get the idea. For us overly prepared, there's no such thing as overly prepared - lol