So I was reading this thread and I started thinking I don't really have a decent long-running area light! The closest I have is a 12V fluorescent tube that I have connected to my radio's backup power system.
So, after thinking about what my criteria for such a beast might be, I came up with the following:
Replaceable primary cells
Runtime of at least 24 hours
360° flood
LED based
Rain-proof. Submersible (bonus) not required
Enough light to illuminate a 20x20 room (a 45W incandescent does just fine)
Ideally something shaped like, well, a lantern
Weight < 5#
I'm undecided on regulation, but I'm honestly leaning away from it for this purpose. I'd be all for regulation if a physical switch could return it to direct drive mode. There is something to be said for the simplicity of a battery pack wire and switch.
So, what products am I describing? I'm also considering just picking up a Coleman 4-D Battery Powered Lantern and seeing how much trouble I can get my soldering iron into via DealExtreme.
So, after thinking about what my criteria for such a beast might be, I came up with the following:
Replaceable primary cells
Runtime of at least 24 hours
360° flood
LED based
Rain-proof. Submersible (bonus) not required
Enough light to illuminate a 20x20 room (a 45W incandescent does just fine)
Ideally something shaped like, well, a lantern
Weight < 5#
I'm undecided on regulation, but I'm honestly leaning away from it for this purpose. I'd be all for regulation if a physical switch could return it to direct drive mode. There is something to be said for the simplicity of a battery pack wire and switch.
So, what products am I describing? I'm also considering just picking up a Coleman 4-D Battery Powered Lantern and seeing how much trouble I can get my soldering iron into via DealExtreme.