Camp Lighting ...

[flyfisherman]

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

[wavery]

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).

[flyfisherman]

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.

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.

[PattieAM]

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).

[3ontheGo]

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.

[CajunCamper]

If I am dry camping it is usually flashlights and coleman lanterns.

[beacher]

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 sits at the dining table, with two convenient remotes, one near each bunk.  And a Flashlight/Table Lamp Combo for a portable light source.  Together with other various Maglites, and kids flashlights we are well illuminated.  I also picked up a Beacon Bouy 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)!

[fritz_monroe]

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 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 for Christmas, but I haven't used it yet.  It will get some use once Spring comes around.

[tlhdoc]

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.

[sacrawf]

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.

[JimS]

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!

[A2SuperCrew]

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.  

[Clarabelle]

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.

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.

[Dee4j]

I use a big blazing campfire

other than that I wonder around aimlessly in the dark :J

but I do leave my porch light on

['tiredTeacher]

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.