REW
12-21-2008, 11:52 PM
I have been looking for a different ice fishing light for those times that I need some light, but don't want to light the propane lantern.
I also wanted a light that would be very power efficient and would not drain the battery quickly.
I looked at many many different possibilities.
I wanted the light to be able to fit onto the side of my Blue Box, for ease of use, as well as convenience.
I didn't want any hassle of mounting it on a rod, beam, or stringing a rope light.
I had settled on the use of LED style lighting for efficiency.
I found that there was a very large difference in LEDs.
Many of the very inexpensive imported LEDs, appear to be bright, but in reality, give a modest amount of light.
I was over at Menards today looking around and I found a 12 volt powered "task light" that had dimensions of 4 inches by 5 inches.
It contains 24 leds, and it indeed is very efficient and gives out a great deal of light. The unit is normally powered by a 12 volt transformer that plugs into the wall.
I purchased one, took it apart, to minimize switches, and connectors, and screwed it to the side of my Blue box.
I already had a light toggle switch on my box, wired to the 12 volt gel cell.
Hooked it up and am now ready to go.
I checked the current draw of this light assembly, and it draws 200 ma.
This compares to a typical current draw of about 2 amps on a conventional 12 volt light bulb. Very efficient and suggest good battery life.
I did some relative testing and I would say that the overall brightness of this lamp assembly, is about the same as a 25 watt bulb.
In use, the depth finder is placed on a 5 gallon bucket in front of the holes.
With the light on the back side of the Blue box, the light will nicely illuminate the front side of the shelter as well as the holes.
If light is needed for knot tying, it is trivial to spin the Blue box, for light on the fishermans side.
Give it a try, I think you might like it.
p.s.
Another benefit of this style lamp assembly is that it is flat and about 3/8th inch thick, so there are no large protrusions to stick out during travel or storage.
Take care
REW
I also wanted a light that would be very power efficient and would not drain the battery quickly.
I looked at many many different possibilities.
I wanted the light to be able to fit onto the side of my Blue Box, for ease of use, as well as convenience.
I didn't want any hassle of mounting it on a rod, beam, or stringing a rope light.
I had settled on the use of LED style lighting for efficiency.
I found that there was a very large difference in LEDs.
Many of the very inexpensive imported LEDs, appear to be bright, but in reality, give a modest amount of light.
I was over at Menards today looking around and I found a 12 volt powered "task light" that had dimensions of 4 inches by 5 inches.
It contains 24 leds, and it indeed is very efficient and gives out a great deal of light. The unit is normally powered by a 12 volt transformer that plugs into the wall.
I purchased one, took it apart, to minimize switches, and connectors, and screwed it to the side of my Blue box.
I already had a light toggle switch on my box, wired to the 12 volt gel cell.
Hooked it up and am now ready to go.
I checked the current draw of this light assembly, and it draws 200 ma.
This compares to a typical current draw of about 2 amps on a conventional 12 volt light bulb. Very efficient and suggest good battery life.
I did some relative testing and I would say that the overall brightness of this lamp assembly, is about the same as a 25 watt bulb.
In use, the depth finder is placed on a 5 gallon bucket in front of the holes.
With the light on the back side of the Blue box, the light will nicely illuminate the front side of the shelter as well as the holes.
If light is needed for knot tying, it is trivial to spin the Blue box, for light on the fishermans side.
Give it a try, I think you might like it.
p.s.
Another benefit of this style lamp assembly is that it is flat and about 3/8th inch thick, so there are no large protrusions to stick out during travel or storage.
Take care
REW