torch

cagey

cagey

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 May 2004
Messages
2,241
Location
Cornwall
Visit site
am looking for a powerfull torch either, rechargeable from 12v on board supply or wanderlead from cigarette lighter socket ideally both. just to be really fussy not one of those dinner plate reflectors but a nice size for storage and use. looked at argos and screwfix but nothing interesting. also needs to be weatherproof and rugged.
someone must have bought just the one im after.
thanks
keith
 
It is all a question of compromises. A light with a long range beam means that you need a big reflector to focus the beam because the filament has a size of about 3 mm across. Power available will be limited to about 20 watts.
So if you need a small stowable light then the best light source will be one of those domestic 12v halogen type globes with small reflector. However even the narrowest beam type will be quite broad so not very long range. You could go up to 50watts but that will require a power cable and source suitable for 4 amps.
In that case you will have to make your own holder etc.
I think you will end up with one of those cheap torches either running on 12v direct or 12v battery charged but with a reflector about 15cms diameteer and 10cms deep that have a 20w halogen globe. (not a reflector globe). Mass productioon pushes price down so even if you found what you want it will be expensive.
good luck olewill
 
I've got an Eveready "Dolphin" torch which is just the job. 6V not 12, but robust, powerful and waterproof. It's the best torch I've ever had. I just Googled but couldn't find a UK source, though they sometimes turn up on eBay.

Or there's this
 
May I recommend Clulite? I've used the Clulite CLU10 for quite a few years, at home, for my work and on the boat. These torches are amazingly robust and durable.

I use the mains voltage charger when connected to shore power and a 12V cigar lighter-type charger when away from 230V, for charging. My local agricultural store sells the Clulite range.

And it's a British product.
 
No one torch is ever enough.
A big lens one is best, but sometimes the 4-AA diver's halogen in your pocket is much more useful than a million candle power in the locker!
Sometimes you don't want a pinpoint spot light, you need a flood light to search a wide area.
 
lw395 said:
No one torch is ever enough.
A big lens one is best, but sometimes the 4-AA diver's halogen in your pocket is much more useful than a million candle power in the locker!
Sometimes you don't want a pinpoint spot light, you need a flood light to search a wide area.
Click to expand...

Lidl were doing divers' torches recently - many of their shops still had a few around.

I've just bought a very plain spotlight: 55W halogen bulb with 6" reflector in a rubber casing. Driplug fitted, works well. Thirty five quid
 
Ubergeekian said:
Lidl were doing divers' torches recently - many of their shops still had a few around.

I've just bought a very plain spotlight: 55W halogen bulb with 6" reflector in a rubber casing. Driplug fitted, works well. Thirty five quid
Click to expand...

I favour the 'UK' (underwater kinetics?) or Peli ranges as being very tough, reliable and actually waterproof for diving. Worth looking in a proper dive shop. There is another brand equally good which I forget. Note that bulb lives are short in hours so for long periods of use, the 6V exide lanterns from screwfix are good.

For a ship powered spot light I have a fairly horrible 55W H3 handheld thing which I found in a car I bought many years ago. I think they sold them in Argos? Assembled with a splashproof switch and a tactical smear of RTV it has been utterly reliable through years of neglect, but one side is a bit melted where I used to speed up some epoxy one winter! Don't leave high power lamps switched on unattended :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top