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Zero419 Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:52 am

I'm looking for ideas for camp lighting.
I was thinking a string of lighting around the canopy would be cool.

What do you do?

PDXWesty Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:09 am

I use a string or two of LED christmas lights strung around my canopy. White and/or blue make for some cool lighting. They are extremely low current draw. I have a small 150w inverter that powers them from a 12v outlet. I use those small black metal binder clips to hold the lights to the canopy. Easy and energy efficient. I used to use standard christmas lights but the power draw was tremendous. LED's ar the way to go.

This is an older picture with colored lights. Now I use white for more light.


PDXWesty Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:19 am

I've also wanted to try some solar LED lights and see how they'd work.

http://www.amazon.com/Solar-102-String-Garden-Outd...mp;sr=8-22

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=solar+string+lights



There are lots to chose from.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=solar+led+lights

1621 Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:21 am

There are also these 12v LED christmas lights available. Haven't used them before, but have thought about trying them.

http://www.christmas-light-source.com/12-Volt-LED-Light-Set-Warm-White-Green-Wire_p_1566.html

RGS Paul Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:24 am

One of these:



Uses batteries so it doesn't drain the one on the van, everyone can have one, and it goes to the pit toilet with you. Other then that I have a fluorescent lantern somewhere that I might get out if I feel social. Camp fires make good light too.

Paul

photogdave Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:21 am

I string various types of outdoor party lights up to my awning and plug them into my handy Eliminator power pack. It can power 12V, 120V, can jump start my van, and can be charged from the lighter, solar panel, or at home. It has an AM/FM radio and emergency light. Best camping accessory ever!


bjrogers86auto Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:25 am

I just bought a Coleman magnetic tent light last week before our weekend excursion. The magnet is cool because you can attach it so many places in the van. It even works in the back on the vinyl (obviously steel underneath) and made for a great reading light for the adults.

I know some people prefer the LED light for brightness but I find them a bit too bright for reading. This is a nice soft light.

I like the LED lights strung around the awning...but I know for a fact the idea would fly like a bag of snakes here.hehehehehehe.

Brian.

Zero419 Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:30 am

how long do the lights last runing on you booster pack?
Good idea by the way.

randywebb Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:50 am

the moon works well for me

BTW - your eyes will not fully adjust (biochemically) to low light levels until about an hour... Every time you use a bright light you "mess up" that adjustment.

BUT - check this out for those of you who have warm nights where you camp...

http://www.rei.com/product/753427

carterzest Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:57 am

randywebb wrote: Check this out for those of you who have warm nights where you camp...

http://www.rei.com/product/753427

Sweet. A fart fan and light combo. Cannot tell you how many times that could have come in handy :P great idea.

I get about 4-5 hours of light out of my portable power pack with rope lights. I can only assume if I were to get lower draw LED strings that it could last much longer.

Zero419 Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:02 pm

I was thinking about hooking it up to a spare car battery I have laying around.

That is, if it is still chargable.....

PDXWesty Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:06 pm

I've done that many times before - haul a spare car battery along just to power some lights. Then I decided to just install three batteries in my van.

photogdave Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:49 pm

hero419 wrote: how long do the lights last runing on you booster pack?
Good idea by the way.

Using the Eliminator to power the lights, iPod system and a few other gadgets, I've gone a good five days without running it down.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/Solar...52B800.jsp

Vanagon Nut Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:07 pm

photogdave wrote: I string various types of outdoor party lights up to my awning and plug them into my handy Eliminator power pack. It can power 12V, 120V, can jump start my van, and can be charged from the lighter, solar panel, or at home. It has an AM/FM radio and emergency light. Best camping accessory ever!



Hey Photodave.

Sounds like a great thing.

Is it this one?

http://tinyurl.com/ycv663s

Do you use this along with an aux. battery or in place of it?

Sounds cool!

Neil.

Vanagon Nut Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:08 pm

Vanagon Nut wrote: photogdave wrote: I string various types of outdoor party lights up to my awning and plug them into my handy Eliminator power pack. It can power 12V, 120V, can jump start my van, and can be charged from the lighter, solar panel, or at home. It has an AM/FM radio and emergency light. Best camping accessory ever!



Hey Photodave.

Sounds like a great thing.

Is it this one?

http://tinyurl.com/ycv663s

Do you use this along with an aux. battery or in place of it?

Sounds cool!

Neil.

Never mind. You must've posted while I was conjuring up a response.

Thanks,

Neil.

regis101 Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:54 pm

Just a glimpse of how we roll.


CurtisS Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:55 pm

Christmas lights are what we use. We just hang them from our Quik Shade. Interesting thing is that bugs do not seem attracted to them and this is in some pretty heavy bug country (summer camping at Banks Lake, Eastern Wash.). They swarm a single light but leave the Christmas lights alone. Maybe the poor things are just confused and don't know where to go (like me after a few...).

Ciao!!

Curt

Williamtaylor33 Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:02 pm

For lighting outside the van i usually hang one of these lanterns.

Its the dual fuel model that will use straight gas or coleman fuel.

Rhinoculips Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:23 pm

I love the collapsible camping candle lanterns.




Steelhead Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:42 pm

I ran switched 12v through my roof (weatherproof/marine outlet). I then clip a light onto that rack/bar or the popped top with a 12v CFL (which can be ordered on the web, or purchased at some marine supply stores).




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