FALL OUT - BACK UP LIGHTING:
Over the years I have tried very hard to have lights during a grid down event. This could be anything from a flash light to candles. My ultimate goal was to have as many back up systems in place that would cover as many scenario's I would encounter.
Below are just a few lighting solutions I have put into place to ensure the family is well taken care of during a power out event.
For me there are several types and conditions which require specific lighting. Where as others its not so much lighting as its a method to alert others of an emergency condition. I believe its very important to cover all types and situations such as task lighting where lots of ambient light is required.
Whether that be for cooking, repairs, or simply to give that sense of security that you're not in the dark. Then, there are situations where you need just enough light to read or to keep an area lit. It doesn't require 100% brightness (2000 lumens) etc.
Other times its simply to mark a trail, item, or location.
The last part is for emergency location or identifying an extreme distance or where flagging down help when needed.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING:
ECO LIGHT:
My first goal was to have portable emergency lights that would come on immediately upon a grid down event. About ten years ago I was in Chicago and one of the guys brought me to a Sams Club. I saw these Eco Lites on blow out, for a four pack for $19.XX.
I scooped them up and brought them back to Canada!
These lights have been placed in strategic location in the home where long term power is required. But doesn't require a lot of task lighting to get from A to B.
I really like these portable flashlights because they are dual use devices. One of the things I liked about these lights are the inductive charging ports it uses. You simply place them in their docking station and they charge the flash lights.
No fuss, no muss, and they come on when power goes out. It also has a switch at the base to make it a *Night Light* which activates when its dark.
This unit has two modes which is on, and strobe. Given these units use 6 very low output LED's the light output is not very bright. But, this is balanced out by the fact they run for a very long time. I have tested them and they have lasted more than 12 hours in the on position.
I am uncertain how long the strobe function would operate but am sure its comparable if not longer.
Video of these units in action to follow:
WAKA WAKA SOLAR LIGHT CHARGER:
Several years ago I was backing another KS project called Waka Waka.
These portable flash lights provide me another important solution which was *What happens if the grid is out for an extended period of time* coupled with having a method to recharge other devices like a cell phone etc.
I have seven of these Waka Waka solar flash lights which you guessed it, can be recharged by the sun. There is a micro USB side port to recharge the device via grid power should it be required or needed. The added bonus is the other side port allows the user to recharge another device via USB.
Whether it be a iPad, cell phone, GPS, what ever.
The device has four green LED's which indicate both charging capacity and battery level. These are some of the features indicated by the vendor:
The WakaWaka Power+ is a durable, lightweight and compact solar charger that is capable of charging virtually any type of (smart)phone or small electronic device within just a few hours and providing up to 150 hours of safe, sustainable light.
- Full battery after 12 hrs in the sun
- Completely charges an iPhone 5s in 2 hrs
- 3 light settings: from 5 to 75 lumen
- Flexible positioning: table top, on a bottle, hanging from the ceiling
- SOS emergency beacon
- Patented Intivation SunBoost chip
- 100% recycled PC-ABS, high impact resistant
On the lowest setting this fantastic solar rechargeable flashlight can provide up to 6.25 days of continuous light! I have been able to recharge my iPods, iPhone, iPad, GPS, etc with out a sweat. I have several of these units in emergency back packs and in the glove compartment of the vehicles. I selected high visibility yellow to ensure these units could be found in the dark with out hassle.
The novel hook and bottle holder works just great on a table or hanging upside down in a tent.
Video in action and modes:
GRIP LIGHT:
This little pencil style CREE flash light has six high output LED's. The unit has a magnetic base which allows the person to affix it to any metallic object along with a pocket clip. This device takes three AAA batteries and surprisingly operate fine on the cheapest batteries from the dollar store!
I was not expecting too much from a $8.XX purchase, but was extremely pleased and shocked how sturdy and bright they are. This flash light is used for serious task lighting where lots of light is required but the down side is short battery life.
I have a few of these with lanyards so a person can wear it around their neck. This allows both hands to be free while walking and offers a very wide light spread. Others may want to use the clip on instead for their shirt or pant pocket either method works just fine.
The wide spread light pattern on this pencil LED is quite remarkable as seen below:
I tried vary hard to capture how bright this pencil LED stick is but no joy.
Video in action and modes:
KUIKU LAMP LIGHT:
I wanted a few cheap flash lights the kids could use for extended periods of time and not worry about losing one should it get lost. I happen to stumble upon this no name Kuiku flash light / lamp. It takes three AAA batteries and has three modes: Low, High, strobe.
The base can be extended up to act like a mini lantern. I have received rave reviews from the kids on how easy its to use along with the proper amount of light just reading a book etc. When the top is extended and if aimed acts like a focused lens for longer throw of the light.
Given its low power LED output it has a very long run time which is great when batteries are scarce or limited in supply.
For a $1.00 this is a great mini lamp flash light for kids.
This is low mode:
This is the high mode:
In strobe mode its very hard to tell since its blinking so quickly.
Video in action and modes:
VOLTAX 37 LED FLASH LIGHT:
One of the things I wanted to try was to find the cheapest flash light that provided the most performance for the buck. I walked into a Dollar Store last year and low and behold came upon this little gem. This crazy looking device can act as a point and shoot flash light which at the top has 7 LED's.
On the base is a 30 LED spread beam task flash light. Either mode can be turned on or off, or both in use.
The base also has a very powerful magnet along with a plastic hook. This device takes two AA batteries and even on cheap batteries lasts a very long time. It doesn't have a huge power output when compared to my Sure Fire or similar.
But for $3.00 and at 600% cheaper in price I have found myself using this style flash light many times. Of course when I found out this flash light was so kick ass. It was no surprise to me to find not one on the shelf anywhere in this entire city!
So, my plans are to relent and purchase five more of these great flash lights via EBAY. I am not sure why I like this flash light so much but its just solid, bright, and just works. Having the ability to stick it on any wall more than likely is why I love this thing.
I simply turn it on and it floods the entire area where I need light. If I need some side lighting I enable the top portion etc.
This is with the 30 LED activated very hard to see the light pattern correctly in the pitch dark.
This is the light pattern with just the front facing 7 LED's.
On Feb 21st, 2015 it looks like the flash light Gods heard my plea!
I walked into the local Dollar Store and look what was sitting on the shelf!
Video in action and modes:
MULTI PURPOSE:
Over the years I have collected a number of flash lights from many different manufactures and no one can have a flash light collection with out having a few Mag Lights!
This massive D cell flash light has dual use one being a flash light. Second as a impact tool should it be required in a combat situation.
I am unsure why the GF likes this flash light by her bed side but if it makes her sleep better why not?
Over the years before Sure Fire and the like came on to the scene Mag Light was king. Over time as they lost relevance and didn't keep up with the times.
I retro fitted many of them to LED along with multi purpose mode switching. These IQ switches allow multi level brightness, SOS, Strobe, and tail light identifier.
As can be seen here the tail cap emits a slow red strobe to allow night retrieval.
During night time or tactical situations every flash light has been retro fitted with various colored lens to ensure night vision, map reading, and task lighting.
Various high output and long usage these other Cree LED flash lights are placed in various disaster kits and back packs.
As a fail over, all of the old school Mag Light bulbs, lens, and tail caps are ready for use.
A secondary flash light kit is placed in a sealed water proof container placed high in the home.
In my first aid kits are these Dorcy high vis water proof and floating flash lights.
HEAD LAMP - HIGH OUTPUT:
This is a extremely high output (2000 lumens) head lamp. This device has three modes of low, high, and extreme strobe.
Anytime I need to be hands free and need a huge amount of light that can be cast more than 350 feet. This is my go to head lamp either for tactical or for short high output lighting.
This unit comes with an adjustable head lamp that can pivot and zoom to focus which provides spot and wide angle light spread.
Has a single green push button activator to cycle through all three modes.
This unit due to its extreme high output requires two massive 3000 mA 3.7 lithium cells. The unit can operate on just one battery cell but for the longest run time and light output both are needed in extreme uses. The charger is plugged into the side of the housing as can be seen here.
HEAD LAMP - INOVA 24/7:
The Inova 24/7 tactical headlamp is one of my most favorite pieces of head gear I own.
It doesn't have a long throw or even offer the brightest light output. What it offers is some amazing night time lighting, notification, and signalling.
Its powered by a single Lithium CR-123 battery cell and depending upon the settings can last from 6 to 15000 hours!
This multi purpose head lamp comes with various attachments which can be worn as a lanyard, clip on, head band, and magnet. As can be seen this head band offers true 180' pivot and will hold its position at all times.
Removed from its head band for clip on mode.
This fantastic little head lamp has 8 modes from low, med, high, SOS, Strobe, Hazard, Marking Locator, Emergency, Night Mode, etc.
The primary use for this head lamp is for very long use, night vision, and emergency notification and tracking. This device is also field proven in combat and endorsed by both Canadian & American military departments.
Video in action and modes:
CHEM LIGHT - KRILL:
To better assist the team at night these Krill indicator lamps are used in place of standard flares and chem lights.
This fantastic night stick uses only two AA batteries and can provide more than 150 hours of continuous light output. It is cold weather rated, water proof, down to 30 meters. Its extremely easy to use, simply by screw and turn.
Unlike a standard chem light this can be turned on / off and the light output is consistent right down to empty.
This device has been combat proven, and endorsed by both Canadian and American military departments.
Video in use and features:
CHEM LIGHT - LAZERBRITE:
One of my requirements was to have *just in time* replaceable high output lights. But have the flexibility to turn them on / off. The military has been using these Lazerbrite chem light sticks for marking, lighting, and identification purposes.
Below are four samples of these fantastic chem lights. They have an idiot proof twist and light activator and can be used as a spot light, marker, indicator, or stealth locator.
For illustration purposes I removed four of the twelve sets for review. The yellow base unit has a long white tube in this configuration it can be used as a long throw flash light. Removing the entire tube and just using the base the unit can act like a high output candle.
The one with the orange / green base shows how different end caps can be used for marking, beacon, and identification.
The white base is a IR version of this fantastic device. Using the appropriate NVG IR site or goggles a person or object can be marked and not be visible to the naked eye.
Since I don't have my NVG's to show case the IR LED I swapped it out with just a plain white unit which you see with the other colors. These Lazerbrites are equivalent to a high intensity 5 minute chem light once activated.
This is what the green unit looks like when used as a marker or identifier using a medium cap. The reason I like these so much is that it offers a method to mark an area, person, or item. All the while offering long term lighting with out eating up tons of batteries.
Used in candle mode for ambient light in a tent etc.
Orange with a small cap in place and the output that is provided.
Yellow with an extended tube which can also be used as a point and shoot flash light. Right now every member each has a green for long range night vision, red for night viewing, and white for task lighting.
Video in action and modes:
CHEM LIGHTS - STANDARD:
In certain situations where electrical devices can not be used like above. Whether it be due to combustible gas or where the light needs to be left for marking purposes which I consider throw away. I have ten cases of these chem lights in various light output.
They range from 5 minute high intensity, 30 minutes, and 12 hours in various colors.
For those conditions where its considered throw away these cheaper chem lights are used. For more important tasks I use the Cyalume branded chem lights as they are military approved and explosive safe to use.
TRITIUM MARKERS:
One of my most favorite long term light source has been tritium light sticks. If you have read this far you would have noted I have many methods of lighting at my disposal. As stated, my end goal is to have and cover any situation where light, marking, identification can be had and made.
This device is made of a low yield radio active material which has a working shelf life of 10 years. This means no batteries, chemicals, heat, electricity. It simply radiates its light 24/7/365 for ten plus years. As can be seen they come in various colors for any purpose.
These vials have been attached and tasked to mark all mission critical appliance, tool, bag, area in and around the home. I have specific colors used for first aid, fire arms, food / water, security, and clothing.
They are used in zippers to ensure in the dark any item can be found from a tent, sleeping bag, jacket, etc.
I have several lengths and sizes for specific task and equipment to ensure items are easily located in the pitch black. These devises are all weather hot & cold rated, water proof, freezer proof, and won't be a hazard in a combustible situation or environment.
They are extremely sturdy and drop and shock proof.
LASER MARKER:
There are times when a situation requires extreme distance and notification. To allow me to communicate and signal at extreme distances I have six 10 mW laser wands.
This product is not legal for use in Canada / America as it has a four position switch. Laser pointers in any variety must have a push activated button that turns on when pressed and off when released. This laser wand does not do this but allows the end user to turn it on for a continuous beam, strobe, SOS, or low pulse.
Because this device is so high power and has a four locked modes this device comes with a key lock to ensure it can not be activated by accident. In an emergency this laser wand can actually start a fire so its a great back up for fire starting.
In a tactical scenario this laser wand can be used to blind an intruder or attacker. This fantastic device has saved my bacon one time in the bush from a black bear. Its safe to say when the bear approached me he got a full 10 mW of laser in the eye ball.
I truly believe he was made completely blind since I pointed it at him for more than 10 seconds after the bear banger went off! All I can say is thank God for a 12 gauge shot gun, laser, and bear bangers!
This amazing kit came with a 1000 denier holster, 3 rechargeable lithium ion cells, and a high speed charger.
PUCK LIGHTING:
For stationary locations in the home I wanted self contained lights that not only added to the decor but offered lighting during a grid down event. During my research it was found the Lightmates LED wireless pucks were highly rated and offered great value.
I picked up a sample at my local Costco and decided to give them a try. It didn't take long before I confirmed and validated these lights were great for the intended purpose.
What I really liked about this product is that it has two methods to turn on / off the puck lights. You can use the central paddle or simply press on the glass puck and they will turn on. Each package comes with high quality Duracell batteries, 3M double sided tape, and mounting holes should it be required.
Each set comes with five low output Cree style LED's.
The only negative I can say about these remote puck lights are they go through batteries like crazy!
Since I liked these remote puck lights so much I received two more sets for XMAS a few years back.
The first set is installed under the kitchen counters while a second set is installed in the basement. While the last set is scattered around in different rooms, floors, zones.
Such as the pantry, closets, communications.
PATH LIGHTING:
To add more to my automated lighting system I came upon these incredible photo sensitive wall units. I picked these units up in LA about seven years ago. Not only do they serve as path lighting at night they come on during a grid down event.
These are the perfect solution to light a path around the home when the power is out.
One unit in operation in a dark lit area in the hall way.
HIGH OUTPUT - SPOT LIGHT:
Just to change gears a little bit I wanted to share with you one of two high output spot lights. This crazy spot light can throw a direct focused beam more than 20 freaking miles!
I have used this quite a few times in the bush and various camping sites. For my intended purpose this high output spot light is meant for extreme distance lighting or for signaling. For more multi purpose use I have a 12 volt to 120 VAC adapter plug for home use.
For stationary or spot lighting the handle can be removed and a tripod foot can be extended for use. During a grid down event a dedicated 12 volt power supply is mated with this spot light system. One of the battery cells is rated to provide 7 days of continuous power output.
PERIMETER LIGHTING:
One of the most important aspects of security is perimeter lighting for force protection and detection. To that end I have six of these high output tri head motion sensor lights which has a creep detector.
These units have been retro fitted with high output LED's instead of the standard bulbs. Not only does this conserve massive power but also extends my battery run time should they be on battery only.
I really like these motion sensor lights because they are rugged, all weather, and cold rated to detect real movement while reducing false alarms. These lights are integrated into my Insteon and security network so notification of outside movement is known and detected.
For an extra layer of lighting one of these are also installed in my garage for back up lighting. All of these security motion lights are powered by an isolated battery bank that is powered by a 120 VAC dedicated circuit in the home.
With these lights in place the entire property is well lit and monitored for outside movement.
Do you think he's trying to tell some of you what to do?? 
