Inexpensive Portable Lighting Solution - LED Lights

[harvey lee]

I have alot of strings of old lights if you want then Darren otherwise I'm going to throw them out.

[DTro]

12V LED's?

[croixflats]

I am going to try those out dtro be kida cool running a string outside my Northlander. That way I will bee seen and have a bit lumanance for hole hopping around the tent.

[magicstix]

Now thats a great idea, never thought about lights outside. Would also be beneficial for packing up in the dark.

I agree that flexible LED does works very nice for pointing at bobber hole. I'm sure you could mount it on other flashers. 2 thumbs up!!!

[harvey lee]

12V LED's?

All regular 110.

Too much work for me to use, I would rather just purchase ones made for the job for about the same dollars.

These new string ultra bright LED lights are very nice and the OPS Luminator lights are awesome.

[DTro]

Originally Posted By: dtro

12V LED's?

All regular 110.

Yeah, these are 6V LED's that I used, not your average 110 filament Christmas lights. I wouldn't use those either.

[magicstix]

I looked at those OPS luminators a little closer, they might be the hot ticket. What gauge wire is on them? anyone know?

[harvey lee]

All I know is that they have a commercial grade wire I believe.

[fishermatt]

the wire on the OPS Luminator lights is 24 gauge.

[jigginjim]

I bought a Black-n-Decker rechargeable LED trouble light for my pro-scout. It can also be ran from a 12v. has 2 levels of brightness has lasted 5 hours. I bought a second just work when a electrical cords can't reach. Also work great as an extra for in the boat. Ran about $25 @ wally world but I can use it for several projects.

[spooner]

I bought the luminator lights too- love them, very bright! I already customized them. I put them in a piece of 1.5" pvc pipe, and drilled holes just big enough for light to stick through. Now its bullet proof and portable!

[silverbulletguy]

I picked up a LED rope light with the alligator clips and run that off an extra flasher battery. Puts off pretty good light and it appears to be pretty durable so far. I think it was around 10-15 bucks at the end of last winter at the sports store in the St Cloud mall. Zip tied to pole and done. I think the string lights might be a little brighter but I'd like to check them out too. Maybe run them on another pole to compare?

[gritsnham]

I have become a big fan of the tent lights or UFO lights. They are really light and easy to carry around but with bigger shacks and two guys they dont give out a whole lot of light. More often than not though I use a head lamp anyways then you can always have enough light when you need it and it points where you say. What you want comes down to how much light you prefer LEDs sure have made some great and cheap lights though

[Fredd]

Nice thread, dtro, I am going to give this a shake. I have used old auto bulb assemblies in the past though they draw more power. I usually use the lantern and a headlight but am interested to compare the output. Are there different size led bulbs in terms of output??

[Cooter]

Hope it didn't already get mentioned but whats the approx run time with the AA batteries?

[SteveD]

I noticed most everybody is using spare small Vexilar type 12V batteries for power. Here is something you may want to consider. I bought one of those Black & Decker Power Packs for a power source. It has a built in light which works good for setting up or tearing down in the dark and it has a 12 volt power outlet. I don't bother with 12 volt DC applications for lights and other accessories. I just use a 100 Watt Power Converter plugged into the power outlet and I convert the DC power to AC and then I can run standard AC accessories. For light I just use a clamp light and one of those low wattage florescent bulbs - you can perform surgery inside my portable. Here is a pic of the Power Pack - costs about $40 or so but if the car won't start because of a dead battery you now have backup jump starting available if needed. This is a good alternative to the small 12V batteries - Like Tim the Tool Man says - More Power is always better.

[gritsnham]

I would say the AA last about 4-5 hours Cooter...the trick is making sure those things dont turn on during transport so I keep mine in a large folgers coffee container with a cloth around it and it never turns on

[Cooter]

Thank you!

[Hooves]

Hey SteveD I have one of those to help jump starts when needed. Where did you get the power converter and how long does it last. I am trying to make a light bar using LED, a computer fan, and small speakers on the sides with an AM/FM radio.

[BrdHunter01]

9.99 for a 4ft LED light at OPS. Cant beat that...

[DTro]

Just wanted to give a quick update on these lights.

They seem to be holding up well, however the 2 strings of lights are just quite not enough light in for my 2 man lodge. It’s bright enough to fish and see easy enough, but I found myself squinting a bit when concentrating on my spring bobber, or my float and also not bright enough to take good video, so I am going to take the assy and use it in my 1 man Pro instead.

Might want to try the luminator LEDs

[dvd]

I use the puck style led lights. Last a long time on AAA batteries. I just use magnets on the outside of the top to attach them to the ceiling or sides. Where you want to position them.

[18 inch Crappie]

Took 3 Energizer Led head lamps ($10 ea) took off the part with the lights on it and mounted them to a 18" pc of PVC and they can adjust to where ever you want. Have them in series to a 12 volt vex battery.

[18 inch Crappie]

Also FF sells a led convertion kit for a Mag light for $5.99 they are about 1/2 inch round. Drill 4 1/2inch holes in a 1" PVC pipe 18" long and wire them + to - they are made for a 2 AA batterys so about 3 volts each times 4 =12v. You can take any cheap led head lamp or any led light like the one Menards gives away every once in a while 24 led flash light. They use 3 AAA so 3 in series will get you 12v again. There so many ways to make a good light nice and bright.

[gonehunting]

This topic has been hashed over several times but I ordered a set of waterproof led strip lights from the HSOforum listed below. I ordered the bright white 48cm set. Gives off excellant light in my otter lodge. I can't believe someone hasn't brought these up before now. Seems like everyone had them a couple of years ago. Alot brighter than the Clam led strip lights. They sell for about $19.00 + shipping for the 48 cm length. This site edited my web address. They are called OPS Ultra Bright LED Lights.