Emergency power cut light, and multi use batteries?

[ericmark]

These are great, I have one top of stairs, and need to replace a failed one, I also have these

which fit a selection of power tools, one can get a torch which uses the batteries but to light automatic with a power cut is not an option. Likely the light would need to be part of the charger, but out of interest are any made which use a larger battery?

The problem is these

typically work for around 3 hours, if a power cut when awake, that's OK loads of other torches, but if while asleep, then it can go flat before one wakes.

I want to get some more 3 way lights, but before I do, thought worth asking, there may be better options.

 

[SFK]

I have previously added a short cable and plug to 3W emergency lights.
The wire was short so it could be hung from a socket, lying flat on the wall, so it illuminates stairs if power goes out.

Pardon our interruption...

As you say there is an is the issue that battery will fail after 3hrs.
So I have on occasion also added a switch to isolate the light so the battery lasts longer, but this needs some experience of circuit board layout and soldering. And this has the unexpected issue that some family members use this switch to switch it off when it is on standby, meaning that it does not then illuminate the stairs when the power goes off.

 

[big-all]

i believe you can get torches that you leave on the trickle charge base station and when the power goes off the torch automatically comes on

ahh just realize you have linked to one ericmark

 

[StephenStephen]

Would it be easier to get a couple of motion activated rechargeable lights?

 

[ericmark]

I of course could build a lamp which would run far longer, but the rechargeable touch which can be removed from the holder lends itself to being picked up and used to find other touches, it is a simple system, but effective. And quite cheap I got them for the caravan to start with, but when the caravan went, they were used in the house.

One has now failed, so needs replacing, so seems prudent to ask if there are better options.

 

[big-all]

as an aside i have loads off ryobi 18v official lamps /torches and worklights and some will work on a 4ah battery for up to a week at night light level day and night
otheres give perhaps half a week at about the 80-120 lumens level and 48hs at the 150-200 lumens level
when you get up to the 300 lumen+ your down to the 18-30 hrs level

 

[ericmark]

This is what I was considering, to be able to use the larger batteries I have kicking around. But one daylight comes I can find all torches for the next night, and likely recharge if required during the day, I have two double 13 amp sockets in kitchen battery and solar backed and only use 3 sockets, so by next night not really a problem.

But to wake up at 2 am to go to toilet, and find the emergency light is already discharged, leaves on trying to find the mobile phone to use its torch app, as that is the closest light source to the bed.

 

[StephenStephen]

This is what I was considering, to be able to use the larger batteries I have kicking around. But one daylight comes I can find all torches for the next night, and likely recharge if required during the day, I have two double 13 amp sockets in kitchen battery and solar backed and only use 3 sockets, so by next night not really a problem.

But to wake up at 2 am to go to toilet, and find the emergency light is already discharged, leaves on trying to find the mobile phone to use its torch app, as that is the closest light source to the bed.

Yes - motion activated rechargeable lights would solve this easily.

 

[ebee]

I used to have a few 12v Burglar Alarm Batteries and a charger housed in a "Gewis" Box and a switchable 12 volt lamp on it, homemade of course, I could use it as an emergency light of sorts but I used to really use it if I needed to power down and work in a dark place under the stairs etc.
Quite effective and cheap and custom made , so long as the charger (an old alarm control panel circuit board example) was 13.6 to 13.8 volts it could be kept on permeant charge and use a 12v relay etc to provide auto light function.

 

[JohnW2]

The problem is these View attachment 373531View attachment 373532typically work for around 3 hours, if a power cut when awake, that's OK loads of other torches, but if while asleep, then it can go flat before one wakes.

One of the ones like that which I've got is a bit more clever than that. In the event of a power cut, it comes on fairly dimly - just enough to be able to find it, and then increases to full brightness when one lifts it out of the cradle (which it also does even if there is no power cut). I therefore imagine that it would last a good few hours in that 'dim' state, until I woke up.

 

[big-all]

This is what I was considering, to be able to use the larger batteries I have kicking around. But one daylight comes I can find all torches for the next night, and likely recharge if required during the day, I have two double 13 amp sockets in kitchen battery and solar backed and only use 3 sockets, so by next night not really a problem.

But to wake up at 2 am to go to toilet, and find the emergency light is already discharged, leaves on trying to find the mobile phone to use its torch app, as that is the closest light source to the bed.

i also have 3 official dewalt but they area work lights giving far far more light than needed at 1500l-------2000/1000/500l---------500/250l
but recently to make an order up for a voucher bought generic light and really really like it they make them for the main battery platforms it is still an area type light rather than a torch with a focal point but very compact
dont know iff this link works ?? just select your battery platform

Pardon our interruption...

runs for 64hr on a 4ah battery so would not risk a parasitic draw killing the battery overnight although the light shuts down when the battery is at the low level
having said that its perhaps 5 times to bright for a night light but in the hall with a door cracked open may work??