Emergency (windup & solar) Flashlights and Radios
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COPYRIGHT 1992 thru 2019 - David R. Woodsmall
I neither endorse, nor not endorse, any of these products.
Remember, these are opinions, and yours might differ.
Items and even the manufacturing of the same item may change.
USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK - I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE
I finally got a chance to investigate the world of wind-up and solar charged emergency
flashlights and radios.
LED Lights
NEVER buy any type of light, LED or otherwise, that does
NOT state how many Lumens of light it produces. Most often, if the Lumens are not stated
the light is too dim to be of any use to you, and they do not want you to realize it
(my opinion). When Lumens are stated, you can compare different lights. You can always
look up LUMENS here, to determine how many lumans a typical incandescent
(a "normal" household )bulb produces. It is harder to guage how many lumens you need
for your flashlight - the more the better, although more lumens usually mean a reduced
battery life.
In December, 2010, I have seen flashlights putting out 110 and 120 lumens -
these use special electronics to consume less power, and mirrors to focus
the light - from $40 to $60 at Lowes and Home Depot.
LEDs almost never wear-out (typicaly last 100,000 hours).
They usually consume the less power and run cooler than other "bulbs"
(except, possibly, for ESLs.
Much more on LEDs
retrofit LED bulbs out later this year (2009) that can pay their replacement costs in one year
We are using two different types of under cabinet LED light fixtures
(obtained from Lowes, but not listed on their website 1/2008). My
favorite is:
Portfolio Item #240230 (50505/05) LED Puck Accent Lighting - a 4" round LED fixture
with a push on, push off switch and 20 Bright white LEDs. We are using
these to light our Lowboy cabinet with stained glass doors, and in my
closets and other small areas. I will also put some under kitchen
cabinets and many closets. Portfolio
Another useful LED fixture is the Portfilio #50509/05 and #50510/05 LED
Strip Light Accent Light. This comes in both a 16.5 inch long (14 LEDs) and
a 24 inch long (20 LEDs) LED bar. These LED light bars cane be joined together.
I did not find the LEDs in these units to be as bright as the Puck LED light
(see above). Of course, there are fewer LEDs in these units than in the LED
Puck, but I still think that the LEDs in these are not as bright as in the
Puck light. I can find a lot of useful places to put these. We bought ours
from Lowes, but these are not on the Lowes web site.
For non-wired (battery operated) LED solution for closets and other small spaces,
I like the LUMEN Wireless LED Puck Lights. They have high, low and off settings.
These are NOT the tap-on lights, but you do tap them switch the light output
level. The have FIVE BRIGHT white LEDs and run off of Three AAA batteries.
I like the battery life. They can also be swiveled and pivoted. They are
Model LPL623CPB, item # 103517. I got these at Costco. There are lots of
other brands, which may be just a s good, but I really like these.
LEDs can produce brilliant light, or not bright light (I have been disappointed
in in the few $30 ones (flashlights) that bought from Sears [my personal opinion]
several years ago - the ones that I got are too dim for every day use, but might
do in a pinch. I just (2/2007) bought a new one for $10 - it's much better than
my older LED flashlights. These are also available as a six pack.
I just (1/2010) bought a 24 LUMEN LED Flashlight for $6 from
Home Depot - it seems bright enough for most any use (Brinkman
# 792 851 12-(white) LED flashlight, takes 2-AAA batteries.
I am now (1/2020) seeing LED flashlights producing 110 Lumens.
My friend J, has an LED flashight (I don't know which model it is) from C CRANE Company Inc,
which he says gives a bright light.
---
in pitch black, even a candle is pretty bright - I've found that the LED lights are excellent
for short range (ie. inside of a room) lighting. ...not so good for illuminating something out
doors far away...
I have a headlamp version for over a year now that I use all of the time that's still runnning
on the original pair of AAA batteries (from REI). good stuff...
-Brian
---
SUREFIRE LED Flashlights
SureFire LED Flashlights & Tactical Lights
SureFire U2 Ultra LED Flashlight
New, PremierLight LED FlashLights
My friend J got his a few days ago. Pretty good for camping or even
as an emergency light in your car.
PremierLight PL-7 Series Flashlight
Forget 500 lumens - try 12/24 volt HID Metal Halide Rechargeable Flashlight - 1300+ lumens
As far as I know, Xenon bulbs are the brightest bulbs used in flashlights, but xenon
bulbs conusme more power and generate more heat than do LEDs.
Solar powered devices seem like a ludicrious idea to me [personal opinion].
One reputable company even states a recharge time of 56 hours using solar
energy.
I think that a good windup (hand crank)
emergency flashlight and radio are far superior to solar powered devices.
Note that some windup devices only run for short times on a single windup
"charge". Some of these device can be recharged by four (4) differrent methods:
1] A hand-crank (seems best) or "shake the device".
A lot of the Crane radios will play for 25 hours on a few minutes
2] 120 volt charge (sometimes optional).
3] 12 volt car charger (most do not offer this option).
4] Solar power with solar cells on the device.
Built-in batteries (the windup crank or solar cells charge a built-in battery)
seem to be either NiMH (currently the best rechargable type) or NiCad (NiCD),
ETON FR300 EMERGENCY RADIO. Includes NOAA weather band & TV channels 2-13.
Hand-Crank Power Generator even provides power without any batteries.
Just 90 seconds of cranking powers the radio for about 30 minutes
This model can also recharge many cell phones.
Just 90 seconds of cranking powers the radio for about 30 minutes.
* AM, FM, TV1 & TV2 (VHF channels 2-13)
* NOAA Weather – All 7 Channels Plus "Alert"
* 3 LED Light System With Emergency Flash
* Siren
* Cellphone Charger
* Crank-charge System Charges Built-in Rechargeable Battery
* Charges Rechargeable Battery Via AC Adapter/Charger (not included)
* Power Sources:
o Hand-Crank Power Generator With Rechargeable Battery Pack
o 3 "AA" batteries (not included)
o AC Adapter (not included)
I don't know if you will want a beter flashlight (than it comes with) if you get
the Eton FR300 Emergency Radio - if, so, you might wish to consider the
ILLUMINATOR WIND-UP LED FLASHLIGHT.
C. Crane's LED flashlights (windup and normal) are at Click here
One of best light and radio combos seems to be (opinion) the FREEPLAY PLUS RADIO,
but it weighs 5 pounds and is temporarily (due in 11/25/2005) out of stock.
Note that this radio does not have the NOAA weatehr bands nor TV channels 2-13.
"The most sought after alternative power, AM/FM, Shortwave radio in America".
Another seemingly good purchase is the FREEPLAY SHERPA XRAY WIND-UP TORCH
[flashlight]. This flashlight uses xenon bulbs, NOT LEDSs
FREEPLAY WIND-UP RADIO & FLASHLIGHT KIT
FREEPLAY RANGER RADIO
The Illuminator Wind-up Radio and Flashlight
Freeplay Eyemax AM/FM LED radio
LEDs to replace standard flashlight bulbs
LEDs to replace standard household bulbs
Sharper Image
I Don't know anyone who owns such a product from Sharper Image.
I neither endorse nor not endorse any products
Sharper Image
Sharper Image - Emergency Radio & Spotlight.
LEDs to Replace Normal Bulbs
I have no experience with these.
LEDs to replace standard flashlight bulbs
LEDs to replace standard household bulbs
LED bulbs: a bright idea? - MSNBC Review of Crane's LEDs
LEDs can produce brilliant light (as on Lexus cars), or not bright light (I have been
disappointed in in the few $30 ones (flashlights) that I bought from Sears [my personal opinion]
several years ago - the ones that I got are too dim for every day use, but might do in a pinch.
I just (2/2007) bought a new one for $10 - it's much better than my older LED flashlights.
Nichia Corp has just (3/2007) developed a very efficient WHITE LED
that produces 70% MORE light than a fluorescent bulb of the same
wattage. So, far, I haven't seen any announcement about using these new
white LEDs to replace standard incandescent bulbs (no products are
available).
We are using two different types of under cabinet LED light fixtures
(obtained from Lowes, but not listed on their website 1/2008). My
favorite is:
Portfolio Item #240230 (50505/05) LED Puck Accent Lighting - a 4" round LED fixture
with a push on, push off switch and 20 Bright white LEDs. We are using
these to light our Lowboy cabinet with stained glass doors, and in my
closets and other small areas. I will also put some under kitchen
cabinets and many closets. Portfolio
Another useful LED fixture is the Portfilio #50509/05 and #50510/05 LED
Strip Light Accent Light. This comes in both a 16.5 inch long (14 LEDs) and
a 24 inch long (20 LEDs) LED bar. These LED light bars cane be joined together.
I did not find the LEDs in these units to be as bright as the Puck LED light
(see above). Of course, there are fewer LEDs in these units than in the LED
Puck, but I still think that the LEDs in these are not as bright as in the
Puck light. I can find a lot of useful places to put these. We bought ours
from Lowes, but these are not on the Lowes web site.
DIFFERENT BRANDS OF BULBS PRODUCE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF LIGHT:
A Typical 200 watt incandescant bulb produces about 3890 Lumens
A Typical 150 watt incandescant bulb produces about 2780 Lumens
A Typical 100 watt incandescant bulb produces about 1275 Lumens
A Typical 75 watt incandescant bulb produces about 900 - 1110 Lumens
A Typical 60 watt incandescant bulb produces about 660 Lumens
A Typical 40 watt incandescant bulb produces about 490 Lumens
A Typical 25 watt incandescant bulb produces about 210 Lumens
A Typical 15 watt incandescant bulb produces about 110 Lumens
A Typical 7 watt incandescant night light bulb - C7 ~ 30 Lumens CLEAR
A Typical 7 watt incandescant night light bulb - C7 ~ 20 Lumens WHITE (not clear)
A Typical 4 watt incandescant night light bulb - C7 ~ 17 Lumens CLEAR
A Typical LED night light bulb - C7 ~ 4 Lumens White LED
I, PERSONALLY, CONSIDER THIS (4 Lumens) TOO DIM TO BE USEFUL
Night light and energy saver light test results - Updated 11/16/2009
"Beware that many low power white LEDs, even good ones, fade
significantly within 10,000 operating hours at "normal power"
LEDs, Lumens and Brightness - “How many lumens are they?”
"LED ratings of 25,000 mcd become conceptually difficult to understand
when we’re accustomed to light being expressed in terms of lumens.
Published lumens represent the sum of all the light emitted by the
bulb in all directions."
Click here for more information about Light Bulbs
CFLs
ESLs
Halogen
Incandescent
Consider getting an emergency escape ladder.
Consider buying Natural Gas Detectors (to warn of gas leaks).
Consider both Fire and Smoke Detectors with BATTERY BACKUP in
case of a power failure.
Consider a Gas Generator
HOME SECURITY & MAINTENANCE
Carbon Monoxide
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Emergency Escape Ladders
Emergency Tools
Fire Detectors
Fire Extinguishers
GAS (explosive Detectors
GPS - Complete Information about GPS
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
SEVERE WEATHER
Smoke Detectors
Water Leaks Outisde the House
Water Purifiers
WEATHER - You can not depend on web sites being up-to-date in emergencies
Whole House Standby Generators
My Main Web Page - David Woodsmall