Lighting question - battery powered lighting?

Question

I need suggestions, preferably any kind of suggestion would do at this point. I need lighting in my basement, it's very dark down there, but there are only a few plug ins and rewiring is not an option. Overcrowding the plugs seems dangerous, so I was hoping that there was some kind of batter powered light that could be purchased that I could use. Is there such a thing? What would they be called? I would prefer to keep prices on the lower end, but I would like a bright or very bright light if possible, sufficient enough to compensate for the lack of light already there. Since it's in a basement, I would prefer something simi-resistant to the elements like dampness and dust, I have a workshop that can be a little messy at times. Preferably, I would like the lights to last a while, more than a few hours or so, just for practicality reasons. But all that is just extras, I just need some lights! Any help, suggestions, comments, ideals, etc would be appreciated! Thank you

Answer 1

I would suggest you consider LED lighting. It is very efficient and very low power. There are many to pick from but here is one example:

http://www.besthomeledlighting.com/product/PAR38-120-E27-W-165-W

This is basically a flood light bulb and it would require an outlet. But from your writing I wasn't sure if it was the amount of power you had down there or the number of outlets. This particular model only draws 7 watts (compared to regular bulbs that draw 40-100 watts). Also being LEDs they are very tolerant to the moisture in most basements. It is an expected life of 50,000 hours. I am sure there are less expensive versions, this is just the first one I found a link to.

If this particular model does not work, I would still suggest you look at other LED lighting options. There are smaller units and some of them are battery operated. Even the battery operated versions will draw less power than standard bulbs (...longer battery life).

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Battery Operated Fluorescent Light

Answer 3

Hello, How many lights do you need? How many plug ins (receptacles) do you have? I was thinking of 4ft. fluorescent lights that would have two lamps (tubes) in them. Use your receptacle to plug the light in. You said that rewiring is not an option, but you might be surprised how easy it would be to add a switch and many lights with little cost. You may even have a friend that could help. As far as battery powered lights I don't think that would be cost effective, nothing to recharge the batteries when not in use. Outdoor solar powered lights are recharged by the sun. Hope This Helps.

Answer 4

If it is batteries you wish to use, then there is no reason why you cannot use batteries. There are several LED lamps available which are battery operated, very bright, and batteries last a very long time.
Here's a rechargable that comes with a car adapter, a wall adapter and a solar charger all for about $50

http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/SLR-LANTERN-06/default.asp

go to www.google.com and search for battery powered LED lamps

There are also several flouresent lights available which you just plug into an outlet. You can get them at walmart or any hardware store for around $20

Answer 5

Good God, what a strange request. You have a work shop down there but no receptacles? Either wire lighting down there and pay the light bill, or drive your pickup through the house and leave the headlights on.

Leo's answer below is ridiculous and defies Physics. Ballasts (transformers) cannot operate on DC. The circuit must collapse for a transformer to produce a secondary current.

Answer 6

I want battery powered lights in the basement...everyone wants me run a cord to an outlet...outlets not much good in a power outage caused by downed trees....or tornados...Ron

Answer 7

If you have a problem with plugs then buy one of the new fluorescent trouble lights from a hardware store with a 50foot cord attached and run down to basement from upstairs. They have larger ones that should produce enough light for you and is portable.

Answer 8

Convert the AC florescence light fixture to DC .Very simple replace the A/C ballast to a 12 volts D/C ballast type and no starter required but remember to insulate the unit to prevent earthing,It is very safe and very lasting and does not take much power.

Answer 9

Put fluorescent lights in your basement they are easy to install and you can get them with plug ends already on them.

Answer 10

many types of battery lights available now, however again why go with batteries? dont you have any lights down there now? if so tie into that circuit and add a couple or hire someone to do that, its a fairly easy job...