Carbon Arc and Flares.

[RafterMan_FMJ]

Hello, and thanks for such a sweet forum; only discovered it today.

I'm interested in providing light, and off the wall light for our traditional 2 day canoe trip on the upper Allegheny.

First of all, I tried for a week last year before the trip to find flares to use. Great spectral light, good for firestarting in a pinch, and general good clean fun. Could not find them - anywhere. Spent a week searching on the web, calling stores, and ran out of time. Most places switched to those lame LED reflectors. Lame Lame Lame. Anyone know where I could buy a bunch of flares, road flares ETC? Online or national chain stores.

Secondly, I read instructions in Popular Mechanics Mag. about how to make a carbon arc light. Discussed it with my dad, and he told me how they used them, in housings, to communicate ship to ship when he was in the Navy. I'd like to build one for the trip. Anyone on this board done so? How did it go, if so? Would appreciate resources and ideas for those who have built such a device.

Thanks again, and these forums are sweet. Best thing I've discovered since the AVSforums!

[RafterMan_FMJ]

No help? Wow. Found an instructable on CA lamps...no luck on flares, other than a Chinese wholesaler.

[adamlau]

Orion Safety Products is your ticket for flares.

[louie]

There are a few old threads on carbon arcs, if you search. They are not very practical anymore, especially on a canoe trip! They are potentially somewhat dangerous. Arc carbons are hard to find and expensive now.

[LED-FX]

Not really practical on a boat trip, but carbon rods aren`t that hard to find

http://www.cinemacarbons.com/

Adam

[Mike V]

Carbon Arcs produce heaps of UV, so please take care with home made carbon arcs to avoid permanent eye damage.