recommendation please - searchlight/torch

ChattingLil

ChattingLil

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Hi - I am looking to purchase a search light or powerful torch. Need to be able to run off 12V power as well as battery.

I've seen all sorts at varying prices and can see that a lot depends on brightness and/or, perhaps more importantly, battery life when not on charge (some reviews suggesting some of the cheaper powerful ones only lasting 20 mins).

Any recommendations?

THanks
Lisa
 
You must pay attention to the way they are meant to work which is not always clear from the blurb.

For example I bought a 2m candlepower searchlight/torch very cheaply at £15, not waterproof just resistant so OK for careful onboard use.

The battery fully charged will only last 20 mins or so and it can be charged from mains or 12v DC.

However, what I didn't expect was that once the 12v adapter or the mains charger is plugged in the lamp cannot be used, so once the battery is exhausted no more light until charged up (at least a little) again
 
I buy from local Supermarket the high powered Beam Gun style. Average price about 6 - 7 quid.

Usually powered by a 6V Sealed Lead Acid battery, (SLA) and charged by either mains adaptor of direct 12V lead to ciggy socket.

The three I have - batterys have lasted about a year before getting poor on charge ability. When new - run time ? less than 1 hour - but we are talking a high power output.

Most chandlers ones in mags / on counters appear same machines but different colour. EG - there's one with folding U handle under that doubles as a 'tilt stand', opposite side a pistol grip that can be turned round to lay horizontal or vertical, the body is basically square to carry the SLA battery.Has 12V lead and mains chargers
I have one in yellow, cost 7 quid at local s/market. Same machine in dark grey via well known chandler is 29 quid.

I also have a super bright wind-up light-gun. Again 7 quid. Has 5 mega-leds and is reasonably bright - excellent boat use !

Honest - trip to local street market or hypermarket and save your money ... it's same gear.
When battery fails to charge later - street market for replacement, as they only have spade terminal connections inside.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You must pay attention to the way they are meant to work which is not always clear from the blurb.

For example I bought a 2m candlepower searchlight/torch very cheaply at £15, not waterproof just resistant so OK for careful onboard use.

The battery fully charged will only last 20 mins or so and it can be charged from mains or 12v DC.

However, what I didn't expect was that once the 12v adapter or the mains charger is plugged in the lamp cannot be used, so once the battery is exhausted no more light until charged up (at least a little) again

[/ QUOTE ]

Reason for that is inside is a small circuit board that is dropping the 12V down to charge the 6V SLA battery.
Second the power requirement of the light is too high for the board or charger ... so safer to have plug disconnect power to light while charging.
 
I have got a slight addiction with lights so have loads ranging from little to 20 mil candle power. The best one for SAR is the Phillips 3.5 mil candle power. The range is amazing and still a spot rather than a wide beam. Can't remember if that one runs off a 12v supply though.
 
[ QUOTE ]

However, what I didn't expect was that once the 12v adapter or the mains charger is plugged in the lamp cannot be used, so once the battery is exhausted no more light until charged up (at least a little) again

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I wanted to know. I have volunteered for a night patrol at my moorings so need something that will last longer than 30 mins. I thought I might find one that I could plug in.
 
I agree, most are the same components but sometimes in different cases. I do the same buy cheap and throw away when the battery gets tired, new ones are cheaper than new batteries.

Worth noting that as almost all are 6Volt some charge from a 9V suppli and not using the supplied (with dropping resitor) 12V lead can result in an electrical fry up.
 
[ QUOTE ]
That's what I wanted to know. I have volunteered for a night patrol at my moorings so need something that will last longer than 30 mins. I thought I might find one that I could plug in.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nite Tracker
 
[ QUOTE ]
That's what I wanted to know. I have volunteered for a night patrol at my moorings so need something that will last longer than 30 mins. I thought I might find one that I could plug in.

[/ QUOTE ]

For such a job - then I would suggest the wind-up style like I have for general use. Never fails - if you need a boost to the light, wind handle ....

Image013.jpg


Has 5 supa-leds ... press button 1x = I led, 2x = 3 led's, 3x = 5 led's.

Keep more powerful beam gun standby for real power look if needed.

But the beam guns we have when not in use go straight onto charger / lead. I have one for boat and it stays plugged in ready for 'killer use' !! ie when a ship approaches etc. - I light up the sails.
 
there was a review in MBM a while ago. In fact, a cheap £10,non recharegable one came out as a good solution if its for occasional use.
Main issue, as mentioned elsewhere, is that a rechargeable one works briefly, and then you have a 15 hour recharge time, which isnt much use if you are now in the dark.
Someone has mentioned the nightsearcher group. They make professional (police etc) equipment, but a recharge and instant and waterproof spot light is an easy £60, and up to £00's.
I think thats why the £10 jobbie suddenly looks a good idea after all !
I couldnt find a cheap all singing solution, and balked at £60-80 for a torch
 
If I were you, I would Google "HID Torch" and look at the results for the 35watt or the 24watt torches, both can be recharged from 12volt car supply.

Study the videos, some are amazing, it is a wonder that the guy I saw on Utube who did a video in NY did not get arrested for being a peeping-tom!

Avaiable from e-Bay too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...1c37983fee56d83
 
I bought one of these following the test in PBO I think, probably a shared test (and why not).

When charged it is brilliant (pun), but in general for boat use it is rubbish, every time I go to use it the battery has gone flat... fine if you have a religious charging routine on board I guess.

When we got the boat as a family the previous owner had built a spot that was spot on (another pun), he had fashioned a car spot onto a nifty wooden handle with a toggle switch on the back of the lamp. This then plugged into the cockpit 12v socket.

Ok, this relied on the ships batteries being serviceable, but that is more likely in my opinion than the built in batteries in these humongous candlepower torches that we have all rushed out to buy.

The beam on this lamp was just as powerful and it used a standard 100w halogen from halfords etc. Now it could utilise these super blue things too.

It was stolen while the boat was laid up, I hope the new owner in PM is enjoying my lamp!

I intend to build another as soon as I can get to a scrappy.
 
I would agree - why have an own-battery powerful torch on a boat when you have hundreds of ampere-hours sitting below?

I bought a million or so candlepower lamp from a car parts shop something like 20 years ago. I changed the plug to a Dri-plug and installed a socket in the anchor locker in addition to the one in the cockpit. Used forward by the crew, the helm is far less dazzled by reflections from shrouds, mast and other components. It has worked well on many occasions, never failed and its consumption cannot be measured. I think it cost about £5.

I also have quite a few small LED torches about the boat, mostly bought from the deaf and dumb people who circulate around the tavernas in Greece, selling small items. They are excellent around the boat (the torches!) and give a surprisingly good light.

Would never be without my right-angle torch that I use very frequently during maintenance. Don't know what they are called, they take two U2 batteries and will stand or lie where you put them, ideal in close quarters work.
 
Re: Searchlight/torch

I have one going spare since I fitted a spotlight on the mast - much easier when singlehanded!
It is handheld so has rechargeable battery and plugs into the 12V supply for sustained use. Brilliant mega-candlepower beam!
 
I'm always looking in car acc's sections of supermarkets and street markets. For 4 quid I bought a small handheld spotlight with a 3m wandering 12v lead. No glass but a lattice plastic guard in front of it. It uses a halogen bulb of about 40W ....

It's my 'light up the buoy' - 'make the reflective tape work' light that is always hanging just inside companionway. Not as bright or as powerful as the beam gin rechargeable - but good enough.
 
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