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My new custom made camp light.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
For years now I've tried many different camp lights, from mini lanterns, to all kinds of headlamps, but with none really suited for what I want around the camp table.
Apart from wearing a headlamp, which I hate wearing for long periods of time, I haven't found the perfect camp light for me.
A bit over a year ago I installed a 'Search Light' into my RC helicopter, which I made from a series of LED lights on a small circuit board. I was amazed how bright the 36 LED's were with a size of only 45mm squared.
At the time I said to myself that I must build a portable camp light before my next expedition. Well it's taken me almost a year (and an expedition is coming soon) to come up with a light that fulfilled my requirements of prolonged sea kayaking.
The list went like this:
1) Must be rechargeable.
2) Must use minimal power consumption, but must be bright (hence the LED's).
3) Must have the ability of dual light levels (not so bright when close to the table or in the tent).
4) Must be fully waterproof with waterproof switches and plugs.
5) Must be small and lightweight, but virtually indestructible.
6) Must be able to hang from a tree or tarp.
7) Must be able to hang above my camp table, even if there are no trees or no tarp.
All the requirements on the list seemed achievable, except for the last one. This proved to be the sticking point for a very long time. For the rest of the requirements I went surfing on the internet and ordered the components to make my custom camp light.
The first item was the battery, with the requirements of 12 volts, high amperage, small and light weight, it didn't take long to come up with a Lithium-ion battery that fit the bill.
The second was the LED's. I went for two sets of 24 LED's on each circuit board, which would mean I could switch between 24 or 48 LED's depending on what brightness I was after.
Next was the enclosure that would make up the look of my camp light. It had to be able to stand upright, or lay on its side, be able to take hard knocks, be small and easy to handle. So I went 'surfing' for a light weight aluminium case just big enough to hold the battery, LED's and switches, and to look good enough to be around the campsite!
The last stipulation was the trickiest. The amount of times I've pulled up onto a beach to camp for the night, only to find that there's not a tree close by to hang a light from.
The only other option is to either erect the trap so then to have light above you, which is a pain in the ass if you are only pulling up for one night, or put on my trusty headlamp. But it's not the same as having a camp light showing the way around your surroundings.
Then it finally hit me like a bolt of lightening, well almost, why not use my mini flexible tripod that I use for my digital camera!
So all I would then need to do is find a piece of driftwood, stake it into the sand next to my table, wrap the tripod legs around the driftwood and hay presto a light above the table! You know, sometimes I even amaze myself!
Camp Light Details:
• Waterproof: All plugs, switches and front screen are sealed in with black silicone. The screws all have a rubber o-ring to completely seal the unit.
• Battery: 12V 3000mah Lithium-Ion battery. On one set of LED's, the battery will last 35 hours and 17.5 hours on the two sets.
• Mount: I decided on two points for the mini flexible tripod to mount on the camp light and included a belt clip for the obvious, or for hanging on a rope.
• Coverage: It lights up an area far bigger than I could have hoped for. Who said you couldn't light up a small city on the smell of an oily rag!
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| Left: One set of LED's on. Right: Both sets on. |
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| The camp light with the mini flexible tripod hanging from a tree. |
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| The camp light on a piece of 'driftwood'. |
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| The belt clip on the back of the camp light. |
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