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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:52 am Post subject: camp lighting |
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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? _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6234 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:09 am Post subject: |
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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.
_________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto
Last edited by PDXWesty on Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6234 Location: Portland OR
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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RGS Paul Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Los Alamos, NM
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: |
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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 _________________ '87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3032 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:21 am Post subject: |
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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!
_________________ 89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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bjrogers86auto Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2009 Posts: 1375 Location: Halifax, N.S.
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:25 am Post subject: lights |
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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. |
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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:30 am Post subject: |
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how long do the lights last runing on you booster pack?
Good idea by the way. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:50 am Post subject: |
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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 _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:57 am Post subject: |
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Sweet. A fart fan and light combo. Cannot tell you how many times that could have come in handy 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. _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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I was thinking about hooking it up to a spare car battery I have laying around.
That is, if it is still chargable..... _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6234 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3032 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10333 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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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!
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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. _________________ 1981 Westy, 15º ABA
1988 West, 50º ABA
Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh
VE7TBN |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10333 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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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!
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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. _________________ 1981 Westy, 15º ABA
1988 West, 50º ABA
Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh
VE7TBN |
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regis101 Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2005 Posts: 2078 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Just a glimpse of how we roll.
_________________ Peace, Regis |
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CurtisS Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2006 Posts: 128 Location: Kingston, WA USA
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ If "con" is the opposite of "pro", what is the opposite of "progress"? |
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Williamtaylor33 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 1545 Location: Arkansas
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ 89 Bostig powered syncro westy |
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Rhinoculips Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005 Posts: 918 Location: Keystone, Colorado
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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I love the collapsible camping candle lanterns.
_________________ “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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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).
_________________ '77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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