Propane Lighting

[Tango]

Can some share their experience/concerns with indoor and outdoor propane lighting? Eventually my cabin will be wired for 24v dc lights and flourescent ac lights 9Next 6 months) but for now I need indoor and outdoor lighting that won't depend on my solar panels. I'm concerned with the safety as well as the overall cost. Would it be worth it to get a couple of indoor and outdoor lights on wall orpost mount while I save for more solar panels? Right now I'm using battery powered lanterns and the battery prices are a pain. The rechargeables are not very efficient and use up my battery bank to boot. Looking for answers, thanks

[mtman]

if it is just for some light what about lanterns

[Cyngbaeld]

I've used the propane lanterns quite a bit. Especially in winter since the solar didn't work as well. I only used the camp lantern and connected it to a 5 gal bottle with a flexible hose. I think the post that fits on the bottle would have worked a bit better.

Some friends of mine had the wall mounted lamps (Humphrey IIRC) and they were piped directly to the large propane tank. The family was really happy with them.

I've also used the Alladin lamp and liked it too. Seems the propane lantern had a bit less fumes and it did not have to be refilled as often. Depending on useage the propane bottle needed refilling every 3 to 4 weeks. YMMV of course.

If you get the propane lantern get the one with two mantles. It makes a big difference in light.

The regular kerosene lamps don't put out enough light to read by or cook by or much of anything else.

[mightybooboo]

A couple folks on a vintage trailer board have them.If I recall they said good output with heat as an added bonus.Thats all Ive ever heard.

Only six months? I knew folks off grid that used coleman gas lamps,but very bright.

BooBoo

[shining]

We have five in our cabin and have had great luck with them. It was actually quite cheap to get them installed (copper lines and all) by the propane company. We have a big propane tank for the cook stove and refrigerator.

[sisterpine]

we used propane humphrey (sp) when we first built our place, ran our own hoses though since they were not perm. mounted. just ran the hoses along the wall and through a small hole in the wall and kept the tank outside. I must say the light was pretty good, the smell not too bad but the hissing noise drove me nuts. Now when we need to save power we just use oil lamps with ultra pure stuff and it is MUCH quieter. DH never even knew they hissed he is SO deaf!

[mellba]

I'd like to install a light for when the power goes out. We already have a propane space heater installed for this and I wondered if it would be possible to connect with this line and just hook up the light on the wall above the heater. I guess copper pipe would be the way to go. Our furnace is propane so we have a big tank.

[rickd203]

I have tried several different ways of lighting and each has good and bad points. Propane gives very good light but they don't last very long and I was constantly breaking the very fragile mantle. I also don't like not being able to refill the small cylinders myself.

Kerosene is easy to buy in large quantities and store and it is easy (but sometimes messy) to refill stoves, heaters or lanterns. My grandparents had a kerosene heater which kept them toasty warm through many winters. There are some kerosene lanterns (Petromax) that claim to put out more light than a propane lantern but most put out a lot less light than a propane lantern. They also produce a lot of heat but that is very useful at this time of year. I have a couple of 7" lanterns that have burned about 36 hours at optimum level. It does smell bad but it isn't real bad if the lantern is at or below optimum level. If the lantern is high enough to produce black smoke it will smell bad.

I have a couple LED lights that I really like. They give a lot of light and put very little drain on the batteries. I have a four LED lamp on a headband that is ideal for reading. They give great light in a small area but even my 6 LED Stanley MaxLife isn't much good past 100'. That's still better than most of the flashlight that were around when I was a child. MY LED flashlight is claimed to give over 200 hours of light but most of the flashlights I grew up with would use up the batteries in just a couple hours.

[texican]

When I was still off grid, I had humphrey gas lights as my main source of light...left the lights burning 24/7 in the bathroom and kitchen... rarely did they go out... Did find it almost impossible to read by them, though...I couldn't get the books any closer to the light source, without risking catching the book on fire.... I also had wired my house with oversized wire, so I could run dc power thru them...and having lights in all the fixtures made life a lot easier... Really only used them for short periods, so they didn't pose a big drag on my battery bank.

Tango, if you have the option, go ahead and wire up some light switches...you can use led's or fluorescents *dc*, and use them for short periods of time...and use your propane lights as your main source... It's easier to wire for all future needs now, instead of going back and doing it again, later...

[Tango]

Jan, the the thermoter reads 15 right now- inside. There is no word in English to describe how cold I am. Just looked at Okeechobee;s weather andI must say I had a flash of hesitation. But everything else is so much better than my home in Florida (and I had a beautiful home there too ) All I have to heat is a propane heater for a 600 sq. ft. building and my cabin is 1600sf. The insulation is not all finished and most of the heat goes right out the attic. I am on a waiting list for my fireplace which will be four ft x four ft. Only two more weeks to go!

Thank you for all the responses. I am not going to get lanterns. What I really need are minor conveniences in my life right now- ligts wold be one of them. The gas company will install the lights and once my array is improved I will only use these lights in winter when the sun is elusive.

[Kenneth in NC]

Tango Go with LED lanterns. Sportsman Guide has one (LX5X3-94165) that has 30 LED's that runs 400 hours on 4 D-size batteries. It has 2 settings 15 LED/30 LED. With rechargeable D-cells (and a Solar charger) it'll go 10 days instead of the 17 days with Alkaline batteries. Right now and through Dec. 31st you can get one for $39.97 and shipping.

Link is http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=235412

They have a lot of solar gadgets. While looking check out the (3) pack of mini-lanterns
(LX5X3-82969) Link is http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=234072
Don't have these but they look like they would make good support lights.

My neighbor bought one of the outdoor security lights and has been well pleased.
(LX5X3-91517) Link is http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=231989


Kenneth in NC

[Kenneth in NC]

Tango what did you finally decide on?


Kenneth

[MELOC]

i bought a pair of 18 bulb led light bulbs that run from 110v just to see how much light is produced by a bank of led's. i was a bit disappointed. in the dark, one bulb not enough to read from, at least without great eye strain. i have seen the bulb shine brighter when it is first turned on. i do not know if i got a faulty one with a bad power adapter (it must be built into the bulb itself). i feel i would need at least three of these for effective lighting. perhaps if the lens was designed differently it would help.

led lights are supposed to last for years. the other bulb i leave on all the time in my basement. i plan to see how long it lasts.

[moopups]

Hey! Country people are supposed to go to bed at sundown.....

[bearkiller]

Tango and all,

I have used propane lighting in my home for years. Nobody else has mentioned so I will.

When installing these lights it is necessary to have a numbered drill set. Some of the lights straight from the factory do not fully light the mantle and the orifice must be reamed with the closest numbered drill. Once you get them to perform well they work forever.

Next, Texican mentioned they are not adequet to read by. Each light puts out about 50 watts of light. I used the Humphrey Pendant Kits to set up ceiling lights with three lamps. You want lower light levels, light one. You want to read, light all three. It is like having the multi filament electric lights with low, medium, and high.

Another major plus is they are so economical to use. A 100 lb cylinder will last for years when used for lighting only.

A major fault is a fly or a moth will be attracted to the light and a hot crash landing in the mantle means time for a new one. I found Humphrey mantles priced high enough I went to using the silk Aladdin mantles that you tie in place. Works fine and last just as long for less cost.

Sisterpine mentioned the hiss. I am so deaf I can't hear it, but my bride has never mentioned it to me. Hell, I'm so deaf I can barely hear the generator!

If you are still building, consider going ahead and plumbing your home for the lights. It is great back-up and gives you added options. I am also wired and have my own power system since I am off-grid. Mostly I use the fluorescent lights, but often I will light a gas light rather than leaving an electric on for a longer period of time. Plus, if you have an electrical system failure for whatever reason, you will not be dependant on flashlights or lanterns.

bearkiller

[dale]

the amish here in our parts of the country use propane lites.. They put out quite a bit of light and like someone said they also put out some extra heat which is a plus in the winter...
I dont know the brand of lights they use but they use mantels which burn the propane... They run 1/4 inch lines and dont cut the pressure.. the local propane dealer is scared to death about that but they have no problems..
matter of fact one had a shandlier (sp) in the middle of the room with about 6 burners on it.. it was bright in their house..
Now i was there on a medical call the guy had pnemonia.. but i was impressed with the lights.

dale

[mightybooboo]

Originally Posted by dale

matter of fact one had a shandlier (sp) in the middle of the room with about 6 burners on it.. it was bright in their house..
dale

Now thats nice,I want one.

BooBoo

[Tango]

The gas lights were finally installed on Friday. One of them has a severe gas leak in the line so I had to shut it off until the gas man can return. He was talking up a storm as he crimped the line and set the valve - good thing it at least shuts off. They are pretty bright but not quite like a 60 watt bulb. The heat they give off is also similar to an incandescent bulb. I like them a lot as they have made my life easier. They're way better than th eoil lamps I bought at WalmArt (which are a waste of money) and cheaper than the battery operated lanterns. Probably won't be buying anymore though since I don't want to increase my reliance on the gas company. I finally moved my array over close to the house and will be wiring it and wiring the house for a little electricity this week. That is the way to go imo.

[mightybooboo]

Nice to see another person appreciating solar power.

BooBoo

[tsdave]

I have thought for a long while about how to light a remote cabin. I have decided if/when i build one I should install a ceiling light with a wall switch. I currently use only 13watt compact flourscent lights, the swirily ones, and like them. I would probably use a single 12v CF light in the cabin. It would be for situations when instant light is required for short times, or when guests were over.

For other purposes I would have other lights. My sister has a arm lamp on her desk that uses a CF bulb, a rework of one of those should provide reading light. I have also considered using single LED lights at workstations such as the toilet, kitchen sink etc. Each indepentantly powered by a rechargable cell, and connected to a switch and photocell.

And of course a few CF lanterns for general purpose lighting.

I have a led flashlight that runs on one AAA battery, left in on coutless times, still works with the same battery. I would guess a AA or C would run lights 8 hrs per day
for nearly a month.

Oh lets not forget that those shake to run led flashlights can now be found at the $1 stores.

(LOOKING AROUND)
Universal Solar Battery Charger for 4 Batteries
pad
Item#: 700-22005-00
pad
Reg. price: $29.95
pad
Sale Price: $22.95
pad

This is a very handy solar battery charger that will charge four batteries at a time. Charges NiMh or NiCd rechargeable batteries, AAA, AA, C or D size.

Weather resistant, will take a little shower. Simply set in the sun and charge your batteries! Charges at 160mA charge rate. This meeans that if you used our 800mA AA NiMh batteries, you could charge 4 batteries in 5 hours of sun. Also features a 7V DC multi-plug output to charge 6V devices.