Anybody still use one of the Big Jim 101 lanterns?

texican · #21 08/11/12, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

Got Big Jim today. Lighter weight than I thought it would be. But its in immaculate shape in all its chromed shiney glory. Waiting on the plastic D cell holders before designing box to put them in. Then got to looking online and read about some people using sealed lead acid battery with their Big Jim. You can get a 6V 12AH lead acid battery for around $16 and the charger is around $10. Its a float charger so once battery is charged, it just keeps it fully charged, doesnt let it overcharge. Apparently these are same batteries used in some of the little plastic cars that small children can ride in around the yard. Also used in UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). Reading about them, they seem to last forever even if left discharged for long periods and other such abuse. One (12AH version) weighs 4 pound. Ok seems reasonable, just depend on how long it lasts but if it just had lifespan equal to two sets of D cells, it would be money ahead. Size wise could even use two of these batteries, but dont think I really want a ten pound flashlight.

I've not had luck with the little AA rechargables, but cant say I ever had a sealed lead acid battery so no personal experience.

I may build two battery boxes for Big Jim. One for a sealed lead acid battery and one set up for D cell alkalines since I already order the D cell holders, havent bought any D cells. Try the sealed lead acid battery setup first maybe. It seems like the more economical mousetrap IF it holds up well. Nothing beats disposable alkalines for immediate gratification in an emergency though.

I'd go with the deep cycle batteries or rechargeables, at least. Yes, they will self discharge over time, but they can be used hundreds of times, verses once.

HermitJohn · #22 08/17/12, 09:29 AM

Little update, got my 12AH battery yesterday, the float charger supposed to be in mailbox today. The biggest hassle is moving all the crap off my table saw so I can use it to make a box. Decided to make the box so SLA sets on its side. This will look little strange, but give lantern a lower center of gravity than with the 918 lantern battery it was designed to use. So will make it almost impossible to tip over.

And a correction. My parents didnt own a Rayovac lantern, it was a Burgess. I saw one on flashlight museum site and said "THATS IT". Had the little slide switch in handle rather than push button switch. The ones in 50s were all metal, the ones in the 60s had plastic bulb retainer. Saying this, the Rayovacs may have been made by Burgess.

And the rights to the old Burgess flashights was bought by a small company in Michigan that still makes them. Updated to an LED bulb and a plastic battery box that holds two 908 4F 6V lantern batteries (the smaller square ones) replacing the hard to find and expensive 918 8F batteries. They say with LED bulb and two of the alkaline 908 square batteries, it will give 150 hour of light.

Chrome Hand Lanterns - thelogolantern.com

In todays world a $47 LED chore lantern maybe not that bad of a deal if you just want to buy a new lantern that works out of the box. Guess I mentioned BigBeam.com also still sells the Big Beam lanterns too, exactly like the old ones only new out of the factory, but not that cheap and not with LED bulb. But they are all metal. Sort of like shopping for a new car and finding you can still buy a brand new 1949 Studebaker.... only at todays prices.

salmonslayer · #23 08/17/12, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the update HJ, its been interesting seeing what your doing and going down memory lane. We try to use old things at our place and sometimes update them for functionality but I share your aversion to plastic. Post some pics if you can when you get further along on your battery box would ya?

HermitJohn · #24 08/17/12, 06:29 PM

I dont work with wood that often anymore. My dang table saw was kinda rusted up. Got it working well enough and sawed enough pieces to make a box right size. No correct nails or screws or glue... I went looking for more scraps to try different design, almost stepped on huge old rattlesnake. Torpid so guess digesting lunch. He didnt warn me or move in slightest even with me very close. Well away from house so didnt mess with him. He is just making a living gleaning mice from the old cars. At this point my energy was gone for the day. I have very little stamina anymore.

I'll get some glue and stuff next time to town. Not like this is some great immediate need. I just wanted to see how well the SLA powered it, how many hours of light until it significantly dimmed. The battery is topped off so affirmation that its a good one. Dont really even need nails or screws if I can hunt up some C clamps. Though few little nails easier if they dont split the wood, and can just stay in place. I tend not to keep glue on hand anymore as it dries out from one job to next.