Thought it might be interesting (and maybe even informative!) if we kicked around how we see at the campsite after dark.
Obviously, if I'm set-up in a C/G with electrical hook-ups, that will take care of the overhead interior lights. However, the majority of the places I stay there's no such amenities and I have to depend on battery power. I don't tote a deep cell battery around on the camper tongue, instead I use the TV's battery. What I have is the center pin of the TV connector connected to the battery (with a fuse) and this allows me to use that battery for the overhead lights plus I also connect a 12V fan into the lighting fixture if needed. I know, this usually brings out the naysayers who say great harm will come to the TV battery, but I've been doing it for years with no problems and just replaced the TV battery after 5 years of service, which ain't bad! I should note that I'm very conservative with that overhead lighting. I only use the overheads when needed, like when forced inside because of inclement weather, and then it's only for eating a meal or some chore like washing dishes. But I still try do the main cooking outdoors, under the awning and try only to heat water or soup and brewing a pot of coffee on the interior stove. Instead of the overhead lights, since they are on the real bright side, I use one of those $5.99 camp table lights from Wally-Mart, that has a diffused lamp shade and uses 4 D-cell batteries; provides just enough soft light inside to see adequately after the chores are done. Also, last Christmas (or was it the Christmas before?), I got one of those 5 fixtured LED lights that hangs around the neck and when you turn it on it starts off using all five lights and by the time 10 minutes pass, it will have shut itself off, one light at a time. Great light for hanging from the clothes rack and turning on while getting into the bunk for the night; by the time the last light goes off, I'm asleep!
For the outside lighting, can use the patio light right by the door, if need be, but the mainstay is a Coleman gas lantern that uses the Coleman fuel. I think gas lanterns are brighter than the propane ones. Use to be the Coleman fuel was a lot cheaper to use than the disposable 16oz L/P tanks, but the last time I was in Wally Marts I think the gas was $7.00 a gallon! But again, I don't like bright lighting if there's not a need and when the evening chores are done fireside, I'll switch to an old timey kerosene lantern that will provide just enough soft light (along with the campfire), to keep from falling over something. Also, can keep it burning as a sort of night light if need be, as the use of fuel is minimal.
For personal use, like just plain ole walking about and whatever, after dark, I've become enamored with the miner's head lamp. I've about wore out an e inexpernsive one ... it's a Ray-O-Vac, has a regular bulb for the main light, plus one white LED and then two red LEDs. I like the main one for walking down the road to the "facilities", the single white LED to see close around campsite and have even fished at night using the red LEDs. Now that I thinking of replacing the light, I see Wal-Mart no longer has this particular model. Maybe K-Mart ... ya think?
Anyway, this is what I do for lighting. Maybe you got some better ideas ... or maybe something not considered before.
Fly
I would merely like to point out the obvious possibility (mainly for the sake of newbies).
One will run the risk of running the TV battery down to the point that the TV may not start. Also, the TV battery has no where near the capacity of a separate deep cycle battery.
We don't care to be confined to having to conserve that much while camping. We have 2- 29 series, deep cycle batteries on the trailer tongue and on a 2 or 3 day camp-out, we run our lights and other electrical needs at will, without being concerned about consumption. We even run our microwave oven, once in awhile (through our 2500W inverter).
Quote from: waveryOne will run the risk of running the TV battery down to the point that the TV may not start. Also, the TV battery has no where near the capacity of a separate deep cycle battery.
That certainly has not been my experience. I've run my camper lights and 12V fan (and the portable television at times) off the tow vehicle's batteries for the last three vehicles and two PU's (11 years) and have never had a battery problem. Not once. Granted, I use the lights and such conservatively and usually drive the TV the next day, which quickly charges the battery right back-up. But for me, for what I do, I see no need of going to the additional expense of buying a deep cycle battery, and then the maintenance there of, plus towing the additional weight around, when the TV's battery does the job just fine.
In my tent camping days I had 4 coleman propane lanters (still have them, but don't use them much). We generally had one over the picnic table for before quiet time board games, and operated one in the kitchen/cooking area, and had one enroute to the tent (on a tree hanger).
Since getting the PUP, I tote one propane lantern (and have only used it once) for picnic table use. Almost all our camping is done with 120v hookup, so don't really need the other. The outside/patio light does it's job very well. And, inside we use a bunk fan/light over the dinette. I do have a battery operated table lamp with digital clock which we've enjoyed for low lighting at the dinette when playing cards before bed. But, I am a reader so do like good lighting. I have an el-cheapo table lamp on the counter next to my sofa and it is perfect for reading or general inside lighting. I will use my over the sink 12v when washing dishes, but I don't keep the 12v. on for long.
In summer, we find ourselves going to bed between 9-10pm most nights. But rainy nights or early spring/autumn we utilize lighting more. Having a potty/shower in the PUP has really lessened the need for flashlights (no more midnight toe-stubbing treks to the bathhouse).
We have a couple lanterns and some flashlights that pivot on stands, which are nice.
But my newest find is the LED puck lights at Costco.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11199310&search=led%20light&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=led%20light&Ntt=led%20light&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
They are well made. They have two settings, swivel and pivot in their base, and you can carry them around or use velcro or screws to mount them. We have a bunch of rechargeable AAs, so batteries aren't a problem. But, so far the batteries haven't worn out and we've put quite a few hours on them.
If I am dry camping it is usually flashlights and coleman lanterns.
I'm an aging Eagle Scout. To this day, if we are drycamping or boondocking no lights are used at night, other than the campfire. Your eyes eventually adjust, and you really can see things.
When my DW gets tired of the natural nightvision, (after about eight and a half minutes of darkness), out come the lights! ;)
We use a Coleman NorthStar lantern for the campsite, (and a quarter mile radius around if cranked all the way up). Inside the PopUp we use more Coleman products. The Remote Control Lantern (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5312-790&categoryid=1050) sits at the dining table, with two convenient remotes, one near each bunk. And a Flashlight/Table Lamp Combo (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5308A700&categoryid=1118) for a portable light source. Together with other various Maglites, and kids flashlights we are well illuminated. I also picked up a Beacon Bouy (http://www.klindustries.com/beaconbuoy.vml) on clearance at CW. It's a very bright rechargeable light that lasts up to four hours of continuous use and it can be hung as a lantern, used as a table light, and a night-fishing floating light.
My PopUp has a single Group27 battery that we depend on for the furnace, water pump. We sparingly use the overheads lights when boondocking or drycamping. The battery will last for three nights this way, if fully charged. Or, it will die at 2:00 a.m. on the first night if it's not completely charged and I forget to put the refrigerator on Propane when arriving at camp, (as I found out during a rally last spring)! :D
I rarely use a flashlight while walking around camp. But inside the pup we use overhead sparingly. But we use battery powered lanterns in the pup. I have a lantern like this one (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=4345-703&categoryid=1045) that I've modified to connect to the pup power when on electric sites, but when dry camping of course it uses D cells. I also just got a new rechargable lantern like this one (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5327A750&categoryid=1045) for Christmas, but I haven't used it yet. It will get some use once Spring comes around.
I don't like a bright light unless it is being used for a task that requires it. When dry camping I have a small 2 light solar light system that a friend gave to me last year. I also have my white gas Coleman lantern. I have had one bulb in my ceiling lights swapped out with LED bulbs for several years. Only the LED bulb is used unless we need more light, then the LED and the standard incandescent bulb are on. We usually don't use flashlights when walking at night, but we do have several LED headlights. The LED headlights are great for setting up camp in the dark.:)
One of the few things I inherited from a grandfather in the 60's was a Sears "Ted Williams" brand Propane camping lantern. (I would like to find one.) Even though I no longer have it I have associated propane lanterns with his memory and late-night fishing. Tody I use a cheap 2-mantle lantern for fishing, lighting the outside camping area when needed, and occasional late reading under the stars when the mosquitos aren't too bad.
The outside light on the Rockwood is used only as needed, and patriotic tacky lights we bought when we first got the camper provide enough light for relaxing under the awning without being obtrusive or flashy. Unfortunately, the spiral metal red, white, and blue "shades" on each Christmas-light sized bulb fixture fall off when putting up or taking down, and an application of hot glue didn't work. I'll probably be looking for LED tasteful "un-tacky" lights to replace them with that arent' as delicate.
For bicycling, I use LED removable headlights which are quick-release removable, and serve as an extra flashlight. I keep a small LED light on my keychain, useful for peeking into dark spots while looking for geocaches. Small light Dorcy LED flashlights serve the rest of the portable lighting duties.
I generally use as bright a light as I can get. I camp in areas that have critters that can hurt you and they mostly come out at night: bears, mountain lions and snakes. A friend of mine almost stepped on a rattlsnake just after dusk one evening. He didn't have a light and thought it was a pile of burrow poop until it rattled at him and hit the bottom of his boot. He was okay, the snake wasn't. Just for safety's sake, I want to see what is around me when nature calls :p
I use a Petromax lantern for around camp and either a Streamlight LiteBox with an 8 watt halogen bulb or a new LED flashlight with a 4.5 watt bulb. That little sucker is bright!
Truth is though, I would just like to keep it dark. Seems nicer. Nothing like getting by on just the flickering light from a campfire!
We're in the campfire light crowd, preferring firelight and darkness outside. Your eyes do adjust to the low light conditions. We love to look up at the stars too. Light draws bugs most of the summer, so we avoid them outside.
Our tacky lights are LED, and only emit a soft glow so you can see what you're doing under the awning, but not lighting up the entire camp site. The porch light on the side of the camper is very bright, and only gets used on occasion.
Inside we've got LED arrays in our ceiling lights, and LED lanterns hooked over the pole in the bunk ends. The bunk fan/lights still have regular bulbs, and can be turned on in the event we need bright light. They emit a very harsh light though, and also get very hot. There's a battery powered LED puck light over the sink too.
We also have a remote control LED lantern that is left outside. This gives us the option of lighting up the camp site in the middle of the night if we hear critters out there. This gets used in more remote camping.
To top it all off, each person is responsible for their own flashlight. :D
Quote from: 3ontheGoWe have a couple lanterns and some flashlights that pivot on stands, which are nice.
But my newest find is the LED puck lights at Costco.
They are well made. They have two settings, swivel and pivot in their base, and you can carry them around or use velcro or screws to mount them. We have a bunch of rechargeable AAs, so batteries aren't a problem. But, so far the batteries haven't worn out and we've put quite a few hours on them.
I bought a set of the LED puck lights at Costco. Haven't mounted them yet, but they put out a lot of light.
I use a big blazing campfire :D
other than that I wonder around aimlessly in the dark :J
but I do leave my porch light on
Like Fly (OP), I'm mainly a boondocker, so ...
Fall-Winter-early Spring/outside: Fire for ambient lighting and Coleman gas lantern for task lighting. Wind-em-up LED for personal lighting.
Fall-Winter early Spring/inside: 12V overheads, both for task lighting, one for ambient. LED reading lights.
Summer/outside: Citronella bucket and tea candles.
Summer /inside: We're in bed when it becomes dark. LED for personal lighting.
Don't forget candles. No fuel or batteries needed.
Quote from: flyfisherman...I don't tote a deep cell battery around on the camper tongue, instead I use the TV's battery. What I have is the center pin of the TV connector connected to the battery (with a fuse) and this allows me to use that battery for the overhead lights plus I also connect a 12V fan into the lighting fixture if needed...
This brings up an interesting thought. My uncle has quite a bit of land adjacent to my parents. He has a lovely little creek that runs through his property, and there are logging-type roads that take you pretty far back off the road along this creek. I would love to pull our pup back in there with my Dad's tractor and camp for a long weekend. We haven't done any dry camping since we bought our pup.
Thinking about electrical needs, we could get by on our Coleman propane lantern, an LED lantern and some flashlights. But having the overhead lights inside would be nice. I have a spare 7-pin Bargman male plug (TV side). I could get a Group 24 battery and rig the spare 7-pin to connect the two appropriate wires to the battery, and then plug my pup 7-pin into it. Like you, Fly, I have my center pin wired to the 12-volt wiring on our pup. So I could power up our pup this way for the very infrequent dry camping that we might do. I would think that a Group 24 would be plenty enough just for lighting. But maybe this is too much trouble just for lighting. Maybe I should stick to lanterns/flashlights!
It's fun to think about it.
Quote from: fallsriderLike you, Fly, I have my center pin wired to the 12-volt wiring on our pup. So I could power up our pup this way for the very infrequent dry camping that we might do. I would think that a Group 24 would be plenty enough just for lighting. But maybe this is too much trouble just for lighting. Maybe I should stick to lanterns/flashlights!
It's fun to think about it.
I hear ya ...!
My present Starcraft does not have the optional furnance and have been using the Mr.Buddy Heater for some time now, since about the time the camper was new. The overhead lights, plus a 12V fan, are about the extent of the need for a battery. In my case the tow vehicle battery has worked just fine, but I do take care not to use that battery power willy-nilly. In fact, my previous popup had a furnance and I could get about five days use from the PU's deep cycle marine battery. With conservative use I could get about five days use out of it on a single, full charge. But on a few occasions we'd stay longer and I'd have to disconnect the marine battery and use the TV's battery for a little extra time, which worked out just fine.
Like I've already posted, I can't see the extra expense, plus having to tote around the extra weight, for the minimal use (or need) for battery power, when the TV's battery will fill the bill.
Fly
Quote from: flyfishermanLike I've already posted, I can't see the extra expense, plus having to tote around the extra weight, for the minimal use (or need) for battery power, when the TV's battery will fill the bill.
In your case, I see how that could be the best option. But for 2 reasons, that might not be the best for me. #1, we have a king bed on the front, so we can't get the TV close enough to connect the 7-pin directly. I would have to rig up the extra connector I've got with some extra 12-ga. wire with alligator clips and connect them directly to the battery. And, #2, the one place I could think of dry camping, our TV won't even be there. I would use my Dad's tractor to pull the pup back in there.
But your idea works real well, I'm sure, if your TV is there and you can plug it in directly.
I agree with Clarabelle. Inside, we have discovered LED puck lights. They use velcro to stick to the ceiling. I have one over the sink, one over the toilet and one over the dinette. They don't give off a lot of light but do give off enough to move around without stubbing your toe.
Jacqui
Sounds like i need to get me some of those 'puck' lights!
But for the most part - we use a propane lantern if we need bright light (seldom - maybe washing dishes at night, if we eat late?) But for most things, headlamps make good task lighting - you can aim them at whatever you are working on, and keep your hands free for cooking, dishes, etc.
campfire is our main source of night light, if we don't have electricity.
Citronella or bug-candles on the picnic tables (just enough light to get the twist-tie off the marshmallows and figure out whether you're pouring juice, milk or tea)
headlamps for spot lighting, if needed (like inside a dark latrine) and they leave your hands free, too.
and a few small hand flashlights by each bed, if needed
I put glow-in-the dark tape on the edges of the steps and door, & corners of some cabinets inside that we bump easily - doesn't make 'light' but DOES make it so you can see where to put your feet in the dark, and not trip.
for trips to the bathroom at night, we carry a flashlight or headlamp, but seldom use it, unless it's a cloudy or rainy night. Your eyes really do adjust to the dark pretty quickly, and you can usually see the road well enough without lights, even under trees. We can find our way back to the campsite by the campfire - or if it's a rainy night, will leave a light on inside the camper so the tenting 'glows'.
If we have a campsite with electric hookups, we do carry a single bulb 'clamp lamp' we can use in or out of the camper. I also have a string of red, white & blue christmas lights that we hang to give soft light .
Well I only dry camp and here is my set up:
1. Campfire - this is the biggest source
2. Head mounted L.E.D. lights - if you have to go into the forest for personal needs
3. I have battieries hooked up in my camper for lights in cse of emergency
4. Battery powered laterns/lights- have extra batteries also
When is comes down to it the campfire provides most of the light needed, the head mounted L.E.D. does the rest, havn't pulled out the others except on rare occasions when it was raining and we played games in the camper!
Quote from: flyfishermanI hear ya ...!
Like I've already posted, I can't see the extra expense, plus having to tote around the extra weight, for the minimal use (or need) for battery power, when the TV's battery will fill the bill.
Fly
Back in my foolish youth I owned a Ford E150 van. I had an ancient 300 Watt inverter. Weighed about 35 pounds. I would load up the van with my 100W stereo receiver, speakers, TURNTABLE, camping stuff and head up the canyon to party with college friends. It usually lasted through the night. I connected the inverter directly to the van battery but I was careful to park on a slight downhill in case I needed to
Speaking of headlamps, check out these. Solar rechargeable LED headlamps. This company has lots of cool gear. http://www.newlite.com/
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z105/BuddyBearPics/Highlander/Prescott%20NF/HilllTopCampGround018.jpg)...(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z105/BuddyBearPics/Highlander/Prescott%20NF/SolarLamp.jpg)
We use a couple of Solar LED Lamps. Nice soft light for the pick-a-nick table or in the PUP for the nightly game of Yatzee.
In the camp site a nice fire is all the light we need.
I also wear a Panther Vision Hat with the LEDs built into the brim.
BB
I just got a new set of rope lighting for the awning and it is solar powered have only tried it in our yard to date but looking forward to trying it out on our next camping trip this coming June 12 th at the beach.......Gives out a really pretty soft glow.......Really cool.....carol