Flashlights for Emergency Prep

[hank]

Can’t she just recharge her phone in the car in case of emergency?

She gave up driving and owning a car some years ago.
That happens when you get elderly.

Yeah, neighbors have cars and will help. But may be a bit preoccupied when it’s needed.

She asked, I’m asking, for pointers to a reliable solar phone charger she can have at hand, at home, when the earthquake happens.

[Lightbringer]

@Joshk

There should be an accessory position. If not, you can leave the engine off and key on, and shut off the lights, radio, and A/C.

Even accessory cuts out after a while, if I’m not mistaken. Some battery-saving whatnot. Even the radio shuts off on its own unless I do something to it (eg, volume up a notch then back down a notch) within the timeout period.

[Lightbringer]

@hank

She asked, I’m asking, for pointers to a reliable solar phone charger she can have at hand, at home, when the earthquake happens.

Someone reviewed one of those fold-out panels right here, if I’m not mistaken. Received decent if not excellent marks.

Xoumi? Zanflare? Forgot…

[kuoh]

You’re probably thinking of Blitzwolf. There was a popular group buy quite a while back, but options have grown and prices have dropped significantly since then.

KuoH

@Lightbringer

Someone reviewed one of those fold-out panels right here, if I’m not mistaken. Received decent if not excellent marks.

Xoumi? Zanflare? Forgot…

[Lightbringer]

Yeah, that sounds familiar.

[Joshk]

@hank

Can’t she just recharge her phone in the car in case of emergency?

She gave up driving and owning a car some years ago.
That happens when you get elderly.

Yeah, neighbors have cars and will help. But may be a bit preoccupied when it’s needed.

She asked, I’m asking, for pointers to a reliable solar phone charger she can have at hand, at home, when the earthquake happens.

Well that’s a bummer.

[sabre_cat]

@hank

Can’t she just recharge her phone in the car in case of emergency?

She gave up driving and owning a car some years ago.
That happens when you get elderly.

Yeah, neighbors have cars and will help. But may be a bit preoccupied when it’s needed.

She asked, I’m asking, for pointers to a reliable solar phone charger she can have at hand, at home, when the earthquake happens.

I would be interested in that myself.

[Phlogiston]

The powerbanks with an integrated solar panel aren’t much good. The solar panel is always too small to keep up with any serious use, and the low budget manufacturers who make them often use poor quality battery packs as well. Having the sun shine on a device containing a battery pack whose life is shortened by exposure to high temperatures isn’t the best design idea, either.

Much better to buy a good powerbank and a separate USB-output solar panel.

For powerbanks, I can recommend Anker, EasyAcc or Xiaomi from personal experience.

Not sure who to recommend for a solar panel. My Anker 14W panel is good quality and delivers the promised 14W, but it was expensive (£40 / $50) and doesn’t seem to be available any more.

[Dougdimadome]

Im pretty sure the maker from the BLF lantern thread recommended a 10 watt ECEEN solar panel on Amazon and its $29.99.

[avservice]

You might be able to find a car jump box pretty cheap but not the tiny ones and instead the heavy ones with the 18ah battery inside.
These will run a phone for a long time and can be left float charging in the house so it is ready to go when the power goes out.

The Anker have been great that I use but an 18ah jump box battery is a lot more capable and you do not have to use it with the car!
Many also have USB jacks and LED light built in as well and they make a pretty decent emergency power supply for a few days and devices.

[lampliter]

I use this when travelling:

[Mr.Scott]

@sabre cat

@Joshk

@sabre cat

She could but it would be a huge waste of fuel unless she had to go somewhere.

There’s no reason to start the engine, the car’s battery can easily recharge a cell phone without compromising engine cranking abilities.

True, but how many people know this? I can picture most people starting the engine and sitting in their car.

I can see many people starting their engine to charge their phone.
And since there is no power, sitting in the car with the garage door down. :confounded:

[sabre_cat]

@Mr.Scott

@sabre cat

@Joshk

@sabre cat

She could but it would be a huge waste of fuel unless she had to go somewhere.

There’s no reason to start the engine, the car’s battery can easily recharge a cell phone without compromising engine cranking abilities.

True, but how many people know this? I can picture most people starting the engine and sitting in their car.

I can see many people starting their engine to charge their phone.
And since there is no power, sitting in the car with the garage door down. :confounded:

Me too. Those things happen even in normal times. Just think how many more times it could happen when things and conditions go south.

[hank]

Hm, I haven’t followed the BLF lantern project thread.
Does it work as a power bank, rechargeable if you add a solar panel?
That would be handy.

[jf_smm]

I haven’t seen this one mentioned yet…

zanflare F2 LED Flashlight - Black 6000-6500K

Cree XP-G2 IPX8 Water Resistant 4 Modes

This guy runs on 2 AA batteries, it’s pretty easy to use, very waterproof and currently selling at Gearbest for $8.01.

I have given these out as gifts and everyone (non flashlight folks) loves them.

I just bought 2 more because at this price it’s too cheap to pass up. The way I see it, someone will need a light sooner or later and they’ll have a great light that didn’t kill my budget.

[Phlogiston]

@hank

Hm, I haven’t followed the BLF lantern project thread.
Does it work as a power bank, rechargeable if you add a solar panel?
That would be handy.

The BLF Lantern does not work as a powerbank.

There might be a V2.0 in future that does, but that’s not guaranteed. It depends on whether the V1.0 sells well enough to interest Sofirn in making a “deluxe” model.

[MascaratumB]

@Lightbringer

@MascaratumB

Maybe this?

Ooh, yeah, I could see if Mr Vapcell has an authentic AX store or whatever. I don’t want to chance getting some Crapfíre cell.

They do have It is the Vapcell Store! Better to check it in computer as you’ll be able to see the name of the stores before opening the product link!!

[sabre_cat]

@SIGShooter

Are you asking them to store water? They should have enough water for 5 days for each person.

I am starting with three days worth. However, the latest recommendations can go up to 14 days. I also have information that FEMA’s suggestion of a gallon per person, per day, is not anywhere near enough. All of these things will be addressed later with detailed handouts.

[samgalax]

I suggest any powered with aa/aaa.

Nitecore ea4…. Ea8…. Jetbeam ba20… Maglite pro plus…

Cheers!

[ActiveAl]

Searched this thread and found no reference to the UltraTac A1 - which would be a superb AA/14500 emergency prep flashlight IMHO. Some info:

• It has a superb mode spread using NiMH, Alkaleak, or primary lithium batteries: Low (1 Lumen) -> Med (30 Lumens)-> High (220 Lumens). (It always starts out in low.)
• It comes with a diffuse which allows it to act somewhat as a lantern. Makes an excellent night light in Low mode.
• During a test, the A1 ran in Low for 4 1/2 days continuously using a standard Eneloop Ni-MH battery.
• The A1 beam is mostly homogeneous across its diameter and fades evenly at the edges. Uses OP reflector.
• it always starts out in low and has no mode memory.
• Has a pleasant color temperature IMHO of around 5500K.
• It's compact, has an IPX8 waterproof rating, and 1.5 M drop rating.