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Author Topic: 12V Emergency Lighting  (Read 5852 times)

KB3LSR

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12V Emergency Lighting
« on: July 12, 2007, 11:06:06 AM »

Hello all,
I thought I'd toss out a few good words about Harborfreight Tools.  I take a gander at their online sales every so often and noticed they had a LED Work Light on sale for $19.99.  This caught my eye because the West Mountain Radio "PWR Brite" is nearly $40, too much just for some 12V lighting.  Anyhow, I picked one up and sure enough my $19.99 12V LED light throws out quite a bit of light.  A nice addition to an emcomm station for $19 if you want emergency power.  It runs off 30 LED's (the PWR Brite only runs off 18) and draws ~ 186mA (PWR Brite draws ~ 120mA).  Now I don't have a PWR Brite, but I looked up it's specs from West Mountain Radio.  If you want something to light up the shack for an emergency, you should check out this light.  It's part number 93944-1VGA.  You might want to print out their website page and bring it in the store because the store I went to still wanted the original $29.99.

Also, I picked up some dust masks (recommended by FEMA and the DHS) for $0.49 for a pack of five.  They are item number 50027-1VGA.  It's a good store to get various odds and ends from.  My Harbor Freight solar panels are still keeping my batteries topped off any my $4 digital multi-meter is still working great.

Just thought I'd toss this out there for anyone that's interested.

73 de KB3LSR
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KE4SKY

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12V Emergency Lighting
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2007, 11:24:21 AM »

We use the following URL to provide safety guidance for ACS, RACES and CERT personnel in disaster areas:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emhaz2.html

Specifically regarding respirators:

HAZARD 3: Breathing Dust containing asbestos (from pulverized insulation and fireproofing materials) and silica (from pulverized concrete), which are toxic

Risks:
Short term: irritation of eye, nose, throat, and lung.
Long term: Chronic effects may depend on the extent and the duration of exposure.

General Recommendations:
Workers should be protected from breathing dust.

Respiratory protection: An N-95 or greater respiratory protection is acceptable for most activities, including silica and portland cement dust.

If there is reason to believe there is an asbestos exposure, at not more than 10 times the safe level, use a half mask elastomeric respirator with N,R, or P-100 series filters.

If airborne contaminants are causing eye irritation, full face respirators with P-100 OV/AG combination cartridges should be used.

Respirators must fit properly to protect workers.

Surgical masks should not be used because they do not provide adequate protection.

Dust concentrations in the air must be appropriately monitored.

If dust concentrations are elevated, limit entry to only personnel with adequate respiratory protection.

If symptoms of chest pain or chest tightness are present, or if shortness of breath, or rapid breathing persists following a rest break, then medical attention should be sought.

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K1CJS

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12V Emergency Lighting
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2007, 06:02:34 PM »

It is also possible to go to the Rat Shack and buy some super brite LEDs and make your own lighting strips.  I have such a strip set up for use where needed--and it runs off the battery bank I have to run my radios.  Cost?  About $12.00--and some time and supplies.  Its just a suggestion, take it for what its worth.

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K9KJM

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12V Emergency Lighting
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2007, 11:05:43 PM »

LED lights are great for emergency battery power lighting. And the Harbor Freight Tools 50% off sales are some great cost savings!  
A best buy and needed in any hamshack is the electric tape: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=6047
This is often on sale for about half the listed price. This tape is about the same as that supplied by commercial antenna manufacturers like Andrew!  And works BETTER for tower work than the typical Scotch or 3M tape!
My luck with Harbor Freight Tools dust masks however has not been so good. The ones I have tried have not fit the face well at all. Sometimes I think it is best to shell out a few more bucks and get the more expensive item. The 3M face masks work MUCH better....
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N7TCF

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12V Emergency Lighting
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2007, 06:46:40 AM »

I buy tools at Harbor Freight from time to time. Buyers should be aware that "you get what you pay for." The fit, finish and design are minimal, failure rate is high, but the cost is low.
Emergency equipment is not something I'd look for at Harbor Freight. However if the light is cheap enough, buy two.
Today I'm assembling their 45 watt solar panels, I bought two and hope to run my APRS station on solar/battery power.

Jim Sullivan  N7TCF
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NA0AA

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12V Emergency Lighting
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2007, 03:49:31 PM »

I picked up some cool 12 volt LED light strips, each about 9" long with 9 led's - they are about 1/2" wide, 1/4" tall, semi rigid plastic - you get 4 units with interconnecting cables for about $40 at IKEA.

I used 'em in double-tandem, hook to shack 12 volt supply and voila.  A bit of double stick tape and there we go.
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