12v camping light

[Turbz]

Anyone know where I can get a decent 12v camping/work light? You see some around but they are stupidly expensive. It is just a bulb/fluro in a plastic case after all. Can you buy kits to make them, or make them yourself ? They cheaper from camping stores, or maybe repco etc ?

Cheers, Turbz.

[Ruffy]

I just use one of those fluro work lights from Kmart or somewhere.. Not the real cheapo 10 buck jobs but the next best i guess. They're around 25 bucks. Have a switch etc. Throw a reasonable amount of light.
I have one of those broom handle clippy things on a tent pole that it clips into.
Cheers Dan

[Potter]

super cheap sell a good one for about $25 about a meter long

[sootygu]

You can’t go by past the Versa light, it is the brightest around and only uses 1 amp and Australian made. They are approx $75 but worth every cent IMOP.

We have had guys use them for 15 years and have never missed a beat.

ARB sell a similar one but made oversees I believe.

Stick with AUSSIE MADE.

[Turbz]

sootygu where do I find a Versa light ? I am all for aussie made.

It's a shame companies use so much overseas equipment. I understand if it is your business you want to make as much money as possible, just a shame that is how it works. I am sure aussie made is good quality though.

ta boys.

[sootygu]

sootygu where do I find a Versa light ? I am all for aussie made.

If you are in Melbourne Southern Cross Tents sell them with a bag, I think Piranha also sell them but they are re labeled with their logo. There are plenty of 4wd shops that sell them as well.

Cheers

[86MUD]

I bit the bullet and bought the Burn Brite brand 12 volt fluro. About $200 10 years ago!!! But they use next to nothing power. Ideal Electrical are the distributors. They are a full size fluro. I have never had to change a tube and never had any problems from 10 years of service. They are very bright.

The only trouble with fluros...they attract insects!

Cheers

Andrew

[bazzle]

Anyone know where I can get a decent 12v camping/work light? You see some around but they are stupidly expensive. It is just a bulb/fluro in a plastic case after all. Can you buy kits to make them, or make them yourself ? They cheaper from camping stores, or maybe repco etc ?

Cheers, Turbz.

Plus an invertor, plus a transformer, plus a switch

Bazzle

[BundyRumandCoke]

Some electronics stores sell a box of tricks that replaces the ballast resistor in an ordinary 240V fluro. Its a bit smaller that the ballast resistor. You still use the standard 2 or 4 ft fluro tube. I have had one made and used extensively for about 15 yeasr without a problem. Mine is all mounted onto a piece of 2x4 pine, with a wire netting guard, and about 10 metres of 2 core cable. I have thought of buying a "Vandal light" fluro, which is the fully enclosed plastic fluro, and converting that. You get as much light out of these as when they are running off 240V.

In addition, I have a Super Cheap 28 led hand held light for around the campsite. Use either cordless, or powered from a 12V or 240V supply. They cast a pretty good beam. About $30.

I also have numerous other lights, torches, ect, from maglights, 240 V worklight fluros, gas lights, ect, stashed through various parts of my camper and camping equipment.

[HotFourOk]

I bought a double tube fluoro from Supercheap for about $20 and it puts out a whole heap of light.
I hard wired it into the rear using a switch, as I use it as a boot light.

[sootygu]

I bit the bullet and bought the Burn Brite brand 12 volt fluro.

Burn Brite is the company that makes the versa light.

http://www.burnbrite.com/lights-folder/portables.htm