LED light for power outages?

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RobbW

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Aug 21, 2006
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The power to my house went out for 2 hours tonight from 9-11pm. Fortunately my A2 Aviator was in my pocket and I was able to get to a large 2 Million CP light, aim it at the ceiling, and provide enough light to get my 4 kids into jammies and off to bed. The A2 was perfect for moving through the house and reading (on low power), and moving through the neighborhood on high power to see who was/was not affected. (I love the A2 and keep it with me most of the time, especially when I travel. I bought it a couple of years ago because it was highly regarded by many here. Thanks for the good info.)

I'd now like to get my kids LED lights that will allow them to be more self-sufficient and move through the house on their own during a blackout. I guess that means mostly close quarters work indoors. Nothing bright like the high beam of an A2. I'd like the light quality to be good enough to read, and of course I'd like the price to not break the bank.

What lights and vendors do you recommend? Thanks!

PS--The lights are back on, but I'm almost sorry to lose the excuse to read by the smooth light of my A2. Of course having the power restored also means I get to post my question here! Thanks again.
 
I would say L1T or L2T ! There are the same bezel but in single or double AA battery, of couse the run time will be different too.

Cause, mine like em very much.
 
I'd get some of the SMJLED PR bulbs and a few 2AA or 2D hosts for everyone. 2AA's should last near 20 hours. 2D's should last days and days of continuous on.
 
Greetings and Welcome to CPF!

There's also the eternaLight that you may wish to check out either from LightHound.Com or GlowBug.Com among others.

Hope you find what you're looking for and Enjoy!
 
No brainer, www.safe-light.com !!
I have three kids 3,6 and 9 years old. They all have a safe-light stuck to their doors with the find in the dark glow on permanently. Doubles as a night light and gets thrown into the suitcase whenever we travel.

The biggest problem most folks have (unless you are a flashaholic with 5 lights on you at any time) is finding a light after the power fails!

The new model (been out more than ytear already) with the Nichia CS 5mm led is even better than the original model.


There was a CPF group buy some time ago. Maybe it;s time to arrange another one!!

Streak
 
nerdgineer said:
I'd get some of the SMJLED PR bulbs and a few 2AA or 2D hosts for everyone. 2AA's should last near 20 hours. 2D's should last days and days of continuous on.
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I agree on this approach, especially if the kids are young. Short money, plenty bright, long runtimes and easy to replace.
 
I second the suggestion for Pal Lights. My kids are older now but still have their Pal's on the bedside table. They love the locater beam.

For those who don't know the Pal here is some useful info:

-it's got a soft rubber case that does not scratch stuff.
-it uses a 9V battery.
-it has an "always on" low mode that runs for 2-3 years as a locator.
-it has two brightness levels.
-it has a lense that focuses the beam for surprising throw.

One concern you have is small parts if you have kids under 3. The Pal doesn't have particularly small parts. And it takes some doing to dismantle it. I would stay away from any light with a small twist-off head or tail. I suggest you look at some sort of child safety website. Remember that the youngest kid could be injured by an older kid leaving a small part in harm's way.

W.
 
I have a Palight and would recomend it to anyone.
I would also consider the Innova Radiant (AA or AAA version) and the X1 (AA). Usues common batts and easy to turn off/on. And they won't cost you a fortune.
My three year old daughter finds it easier to use a twisty than the pushbutton on my Pals. Just a thought.
If considering the find it in the dark aspect the PAl has, you could apply glow paint to the light, or get some of the GID o-rings being sold by member GreenLED.
The SMJLED option is viable too IMO. of the Nit-ize led drop in. All easily available and won't break the bank.
 
The Energizer 4AA Folding Lantern makes for a great power outage light. Mine has seen plenty of duty during ice storm outages.

Geoff
 
My son (now 4yo) has used an Xnova (5 led) light for a couple years with good success. The tailcap is large enough that he hasn't lost it and while he can use a clickie now he found the twistie a lot easier and more intuitive when he was younger. Part of that was the price and ubiquitous nature of AA batteries in a house with kids. It has proven to be a rugged and useful light. I tried him on an old CMG ultra which he sadly has lost - but he did find that twist head a bit tricky to use.

But I do see the value in the PAL lights linked above. One time my son got ahold of my TnC keylux AA and managed to loosen the head and lose the LED module (I found it but had some moments of panic!). I think the X1 and Xnova lights are large enough when dismantled to not post a threat but an Arc AAA head is pretty small and easily lost or even worse swallowed. And the locator beam is pretty slick as well. I know the last time the power went out I (of course! 😀 ) had a light but had to then run through the house distributing lights to my wife (who had the newborn) and to my son who was in his room in the dark - with several lights but none that he could locate in pitch blackness.

In fact, the more I think of it the more I think that is my next purchase for my son - he would really enjoy it. He'd be completely self sufficient, and the long life is quite appealing has he's burned through enough AA batteries over time leaving the Xnova on for a few days (I finally switched to rechargeables and then had to make sure neither he nor my wife were throwing them away when dead - which happened once! Man you've got to stay one step ahead...).
 
It's been done before but I have a 4xAA adjustable lantern I got for just a couple of bucks -- there are a few brands out there and cheap is good. I used a Nite-Ize LED Mag bulb replacement in it since I was underwhelmed by its brightness in my D cell Mags and it was just taking up space. Made for a great little power outage light and a good use for something I already had in the parts box.

It gives enough light to be comfy with and I can read by it. It's lightweight and uses any old AA's I have around the house. It won't tip over. It has a handle that allows it to be angled somewhat or to hang off something. It'll work as a spot bean but much better as a flood and bounce-off-the-ceiling light.
 
I was lucky enough to get ahold of some 2D Maglights when Target had them for $4.22, so each of my kids (I have three) got a 2D Mag and then I replaced the incandescent bulb in each with a PR base SMJLED. LOTS of run time and plenty of bright light anywhere inside the house. They absolutely love their lights.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome and excellent suggestions. I appreciate the advice. I've started a search for more info on the models recommended here. Since I'm looking for a wide and dim beam good for reading in bed or moving from room to room, the Pal Light and Pak Light are looking good. Some of the recommendations seemed a bit bright and with a longer throw than what I was thinking. I already have some bigger lights like the A2 and Maglight, so the smaller, wider beams are more appealing to me for the kids. I like the beacon feature of the Pal Light.

Thanks again, and I'm off to do more reading. This is a great place for solid information.
 
A related question: I have two Mini Maglights. Does anyone offer an LED upgrade? I'd like something about as bright, or a touch brighter, than the original bulb.


Thanks
 
The NiteIze modules ($4.92 at Wal*Mart) make the light more usable with output that is much more pleasing, however, as they are regular LEDs, you'll give up the throw that you had with the incandescent bulb. Actually it is what I would be thinking of being useful for your kids from your original posting. The MiniMag with the LED module is viable for finding your way around the house and has great run time (around 8 hours?) so it can serve as an area light as well. While you could use it in candle mode by standing it into the bezel, the beam shape doesn't actually change without the reflector; it's about the same whether the reflector is on or not.

RobbW said:
A related question: I have two Mini Maglights. Does anyone offer an LED upgrade? I'd like something about as bright, or a touch brighter, than the original bulb.


Thanks
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