Emergency Home Lighting - BEST-BUY

[RangerXanatos]

I've had a mini mag for about 15 years now I assume. Only thing I've had to do to it is replace the bulb and batteries. But at the same time, it doesn't get much use. A lot of times you can buy a combo of 2D and 2AA maglights for about $20. This is what I got and converted them both to LED. The conversion cost just about as much as the light itself though. The mini stays in the car and the regular stays in with my camping gear. I love them. Along with the idea of using ducttape to wrap the handles, you can also use a bicycle innertube.

[hunter63]

sjj, I guess everyone got off on a tangent and complete missed you original point.

Good buy, good product, keep yor eyes open.
Sorry man, I hear ya, nice find.

This "living stuff" is a full time job and it's wise to keep thinking at all times.

[crashdive123]

I take it that you are not a big fan of the plastic lanterns that have a flame and fuel and are capable of melting, burning the house down, and killing all of the inhabitants?

[finallyME]

The laterns that use fire for the light source shouldn't be tossed aside so readily. Sure, in the first few hours/days of an emergency they might be impractical or dangerous. But, there comes a time when the batteries are run out, and no power to recharge.

[2dumb2kwit]

The laterns that use fire for the light source shouldn't be tossed aside so readily. Sure, in the first few hours/days of an emergency they might be impractical or dangerous. But, there comes a time when the batteries are run out, and no power to recharge.

Yeah, but according to these guys, people are too stupid to use them. So I guess that people that don't have these guys money and knowledge, should just sit in the dark and hope someone comes to "save" them.

[2dumb2kwit]

Dang...I'm sorry sjj and crash. I just read my post, and I didn't mean for it to sound anywhere near as shi....uh...snotty, as it came out.

I guess I had the thought of some newby, that has gotten scared because of the news lately, did a few google searches and ended up here, reading this thread. I saw it as the difference of some newby saying "hmmm....a kerosene lantern/lamp is pretty cheap insurance", and possibly becoming a "prepper", or reading what y'all said and saying "dang, I better leave that alone. I don't want to burn my house down" and never prepping beyond a flashlight.

I understand being cautious, about newby's...even not so newby's...but kerosene lanterns/lamps were used for a long, long time, and if someone can't use one without killing themselves.......well...maybe it's time to thin the herd. LOL

BTW, I have a couple of those wal-mart lanterns. (They are kinda the back-up to my back-ups.LOL) I can't tell that there is any plastic in them. They are cheaply made, but I would not hesitate to use them. Keep in mind, I would be very cautious of any flame near fuel, especially in my house.

[crashdive123]

I was just making a joke - sorry if it didn't come out that way. I've got a couple of the Wally World lanterns. I'm always on the look out for some old metal ones - just seems like folks that are selling them are a might too proud of em for my wallet.

[2dumb2kwit]

I was just making a joke - sorry if it didn't come out that way. I've got a couple of the Wally World lanterns. I'm always on the look out for some old metal ones - just seems like folks that are selling them are a might too proud of em for my wallet.

My parents have two of the old RxR lanterns. (Red globes.)

I thought about trying to get them, but if I ever bug out, it will be to their place, in the country, so I guess I should leave them there. LOL

[Batch]

I have kerosene lamps and greatly prefer them to my electric lanterns. Folks in camp usually turn their gas or electric lanterns off when I fire mine up.

In the house a candle is more dangerous (open flame) than a kerosene lantern and people light candles in their house all the time.

[Rick]

I agree, Batch. I have a number of kerosene lamps as well as Coleman lanterns. It's hard to beat the light output with either one and they burn a long time on little fuel. I wouldn't use an open candle in an emergency unless I didn't have anything else. Not just a fire hazard with the open flame but that dang wax is hot!

[aflineman]

While I like my Maglite, these little Brunton Glorb lanterns are great. I have used them camping, hiking, doing splices in a manhole, working on the car, and around the house during a power outage.
http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=304

[neondog]

Has anybody tried the dual fuel lanterns Wal-mart has that are supposed to be compatible with unleaded gasoline? ($60)

Being a mechanic I really don't like the idea of filling any container with gasoline and then holding a match to it but if Wally world is selling them they must be working ok so far?

[neondog]

If you are interested, Coleman's web site has a FAQ section that talks about the difference between the old style and the new dual fuel. You will find what they say very interesting.

Thanks for the heads up on the FAQ but I picked up a 3 1/2" Coleman flashlight a while back (3 x AAA LED) and it lasted about a week. I'd rather wait and hear true life test results from a few gas burners.

After having Bic pens leak in my pocket and Bic lighters blow up in my face I bought went off on my boss thirty-some years ago when he suggested I go to the bathroom and shave with the first Bic disposable razor I'd ever seen. Doesn't take me too long to loose faith in a company with so many of them being bought out by the Japanese or letting China make their products for them.

[aflineman]

aflineman,
If you ever run into a manhole that might contain explosive gases, You might want to look into the sealed flashlight designed for those purposes. In fact, that is a good light for anyone to have for first response investigations.

I have a couple of sealed ones, although I do not splice anymore. They work, but don't throw a lot of light. If I don't need the sealed qualities, I don't use one. In fact if the LEL even has even a chance of being exceeded, I don't have a reason to be there anymore.

[Rick]

If you ever run into a manhole that might contain explosive gases, You might want to look into the sealed flashlight designed for those purposes.

That shouldn't be a problem in this day and age. The manholes should be checked with a sniffer before the lid is even popped and the hole should be ventilated before you enter and while you are inside.

I have the dual fuel stove and lantern as well. If you think about it, there really is little difference between white gas and gasoline in terms of risk of explosion. White gas is more refined that gasoline and is more volatile. So gasoline shouldn't be a concern in that regard.

Gasoline does have additives to protect your engine that could, potentially, release chemicals into the air when burned. Like sjj, I wouldn't use either one inside my home or in any enclosed space for that reason.

I have not used gasoline in my lantern but my stove works just fine on it.

Gasoline will be much easier to find should something happen than Coleman fuel. Every car and every garage has some gasoline in it.

[neondog]

Gasoline will be much easier to find should something happen than Coleman fuel. Every car and every garage has some gasoline in it.

That's what I was thinking too.

[Chiefman]

I use velcro on my mini-mag and attach it to my hat when needed.

[finallyME]

If it is a kerosene lantern, then it is already a triple fuel stove. You can use JP8, Diesel, or kerosene interchangeably.

[Rick]

I would think you could also use vegetable oil but I've never tried it.

[Batch]

I would think you could also use vegetable oil but I've never tried it.

Why not rendered fats as well?

There are ways to charge or even create batteries. But, not nearly as many ways as there is to extract oils from plants and animals.