Noticed in Supercheap Auto catalogue today a 30 cm Slimline Neon Light. 12 volt. On/Off switch located on cigarette lighter plug. 2 metre cable length. Available in different colours. Now! what I want to know is: If you had that plugged into your cigarette lighter without the car running wouldn't it run your car battery flat?
It would be great in the back of van for light but with some other form of plug in.
Oh by the way $19.99
Now before you say one thick female, I mean key on but motor not running.
Hi Happywanderer, yes, you are correct in it would draw from the cars battery as it isnt isolated. I'm sure you will get lots of good info from the tech heads on this subject If you are looking for external lighting for your new van then some of the LED lights seem to be the go today....not always cheap, but hopefully some of the tech guys can give far better comment on what would suit. Enjoy your new purchase, ozi2
Leaving the key "on" (either in the "aux" or "ign" position) will over time flatten the battery anyway whether or not there's this light plugged in. Likewise if interior lights are run for extended periods.
A small battery pack may be the answer to provide power for some lighting when you're camped
I doubt it would be a "neon" light but either a fluorescent or a LED light, possibly the 30 LED light on (I think) page 13. This is not just being pedantic as the difference between these types is significant in answering questions such as this.
LED lights draw much less power than Fluoros but I think that fluoros give a nicer light but would need a larger battery pack.
Life wasn't meant to be simple!
PS: I was composing this post while ozi2 was posting his/hers.
I find it's handy to have a portable 240v fluorescent light to use when "ground" power is available. Supercheap may stock these too.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 7th of January 2011 07:12:44 AM
I just use a head lamp. I get teased a bit becuase it looks a bit silly, but I don't care, it's great!
I can use it while cooking, see into the pot or pan, and for reading in bed.
They cost anywhere from $10 to $50. I recommend one with a larger wattage or whatever it's called, so it'as brighter. It's packed away with Gypsy, so I can't get my hands on it to see what brand etc.
The only thing you have to remember is when someone speaks to you, you'll likely blind them when you look at them. Best to turn it off after when you walk away from the cooking.
We have a flourescent light something like the one you are describing HW, it has a low power consumption, and as its only used for an hour or 2 in the evenings it hasnt flattened any batteries, and gives us a really brilliant light! Used to use it a lot with the camper trailer, hung on a post a couple of meters away to attract the insects away from the cooking, while still being able to see what I was doing.
PS. Just realised we havent used it since we've had the caravan.
No Beth, feeling worse. Didn't get much sleep last night as had trouble breathing and now have a thumping head and full sinuses. Was talking to my sister this morning who lives down in Geelong. She said there is a gastro/virus going around. Starts with the runs(diahrea??) , goes next to a raw throat then the head gets full of the flue, she said dozens down there have had it and the only thing that will help is sudafed and gargle with betadine throat gargle. That is exactly what I have had and didn't know the connection till she told me. Haven't even driven my new van since I got it home on Friday, p.......d off.
No Beth, feeling worse. Didn't get much sleep last night as had trouble breathing and now have a thumping head and full sinuses. Was talking to my sister this morning who lives down in Geelong. She said there is a gastro/virus going around. Starts with the runs(diahrea??) , goes next to a raw throat then the head gets full of the flue, she said dozens down there have had it and the only thing that will help is sudafed and gargle with betadine throat gargle. That is exactly what I have had and didn't know the connection till she told me. Haven't even driven my new van since I got it home on Friday, p.......d off.
Oh that's no good Marj. My son and daughter-in-law had some sort of gastro bug this week just gone too. I don't think it was that severe though.
Yes, just rest up, drink plenty of fluids yada yada...you're a Mum, you'd know all that stuff.
HW, Sorry to hear you are not better yet, try and take a multi vitamin, some B and C also as you are probably not eating well if you are crook. A friend in Canberra is still getting over it and it has been about 4 weeks.
The headlamp that Beth has is the same as the ones that the scouts get. They use them all the time, great for camping. They use a more robust one when they go caving and take the smaller one as backup. I might add, I stay above groung, the other leaders do the gopher thing.....not that brave.
__________________
Enjoy life above ground...you will spend a lot of time under it
I have a flouro light that hooks into a battery. I use one of those battery packs that you can also use to start the car when you make the mistake of leaving the car and van hooked together and accidentallly use the 12v light in the van (done it more than once - oooooops!). That pack has kept light going plus recharged phone etc for up to a week before needing recharging.