TSHTF light kit

[Lynx_Arc]

My solar charger charges a "battery pack" with 2 AA's (Currently Eneloops)...but the battery pack has adapters for cell phones, I-Pod's what-ever...So I could put scavanged AA's (Alkies, lith's, whatever), or use pre-charged R/C's, or even charge the other small items direct drive from the solar panel or from the pack with-out the solar panel. Strap the panel to the out-side of a back-pack or out-side my bug-out shelter and forget about it...then top-off my I-pod at night...or swap the batteries in my E2L-AA if needed.

Got a quality kit for $89...now I can charge my goodies either staying put and "hidden" from the "zombies", or on the move...and save my time scavenging 12V car batteries for water purification/gathering or food acquisition. Just not crazy about "humping" a car battery back to my shelter unless absolutely necessary...and I like the option of being able to lay low on my time...minimizing my exposure.

I would need a solar charger capable of charging 6-10 AAs a day and a 12v panel to charger a portable DVD player too. Last power outage in 2007 I used up 24 nimh AAs in 4.5 days but I did not have anything to do and have better lights now that can go through batteries faster (area lights). I have a duracell charger with a USB tap and an IGO Ipod charger by energizer that I can buy tips for anything that takes 4AAs.

 

[ledsmoke]

Hi all. I was just wondering about one thing in this fine discussion. No one mentions the possibility of a mechanical charger. You know the kind you activate with your own muscle power. Just thinking it would make a nice contribution in case of meteor strike and or a mega vulcano going off and covering the earths sky in a cloud of dust that blocks the sun out for a few years. Happened before so it could happen again I guess.
Is the reason that it takes too long to charge or what? I have no experience with this type of chargers so I cannot help with knowledge myself.

Just wondering, thats all. But then thats what most of us do - right?

 

[angelofwar]

My Eton has a bulit in battery, but it can also take 3 Eneloop AA's...I THINK when running the crank, it can charge the Eneloops as well...

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I wouldn't rely on a hand crank solution to recharge eneloops on a long term basis. A stationary bike type generator could be a good solution though as they claim that you can get from 100-300 watts out of them for the average person. You could use a 12v battery to capture the excess power produced to charge batteries and even use a small inverter to power other AC devices. I invested in a 400 watt inverter awhile back in case of an outage or to have portable power to run small appliances.

 

[mellowman]

You really don't want to waste your calories to charge little batteries in a TSHTF scenario. Most likely food will be a precious commodity, so those calories you would burn to charge little AA's bats will be calories you need to live. I'm sure you'll get more than enough of a workout just trying to survive.

BTW, trying to survive a TSHTF scenario that blocks out the sun is futile. The bugs/insects in your neighborhood have a better shot at surviving it.....maybe...

 

[Monocrom]

No offense to anyone, but I envision a TSHTF scenario as something more realistic than the Sun being blocked out or an EMP going off. Massive Earthquake or other natural disaster. Something along those lines. Definitely a solar charger for AA lights. At least a couple of good AA lights in the kit. One headlamp, and one hand-held. Two should be enough since I typically EDC at least two lights on me anyway.

 

[kosPap]

Hi all!

I have been updating my kit....

now it will consiist of a
Dereelight DBS XPG + extender
Solareforce L2M + 2 extenders (pending the purchase of a CL2H that sharew body, extenders & switch with the DBS)

These flashlights share pills too, so I am in the process of acquiring/making these

XPG 0.9-4.2V single mode (bought)
XPG 0.9-4.2V multi mode (on construction)
XM-L 3.6V single mode
XM-L 3.6V multi mode (already made)

in essense the system will be run on 18650 and/or AAs

note: I have a XPG DBS that I opened up the hole to suit the XM-L, works fine!

the system will be futher supplemented by 2 AW battery charging spacers... they make a CR123 spacer together and a single oen cna be used to run AA/14500/17500/18500s

the downside is the decreased efficiency of the boost driver, but I kinda prefer the flexibility!

that is all for now, kostas