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thachertom
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2024 08:50pm
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Seeking opinions on the idea of using USB Rechargeable LED lightbulbs/LED lamps for interior night-time lighting. We have an off-grid cabin with a generator that we only use about one hour a day to pump water and recharge computers/phones etc. We have propane Humphrey lamps but they are not the best to read by and add a lot of unwanted heat on hot summer days. The cabin is fully wired with regular 120v AC outlets throughout which can be used when the generator is on (my Dad wanted to future proof in case the grid ever got extended to the cabin). I am considering putting USB rechargeable LED Lightbulbs in standard fixtures and/or buying USB rechargeable LED lights and placing them around the cabin where their USB charging bricks can constantly be plugged into the 120v AC outlets. Most nights the LED lights would only be used in the kitchen for perhaps an hour. Maybe two hours for an LED reading lamp. LEDs in the bathrooms would have short occasional usage in the evening and overnight. Bedroom LEDs would be mostly 15 minute usage while getting ready for bed. The hope is that the daytime one hour generator run will provide enough recharge to keep the LED lights system viable. Thoughts?
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thachertom
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2024 08:55pm
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I should add that when we open the cabin each Spring, we would charge each LED units battery to full.
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darz5150
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2024 10:28pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Check out the thread below about 12 volt led lighting.
We are wired for on grid, off grid with 12 volt solar power or generator when needed.
Lots of people here with good advice. Some say wiring for ac/dc might not be what they want/need.
I've never regretted wiring for all the above. But
What works for us, doesn't mean it works for everyone.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2024 10:46pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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A battery recharged off the gen whenever it runs hooked to a small (300-500w) pure sine wave inverter will give you 120vac for std fixtures and Edison base LED bulbs. Mine also has a usb charge port along with the duplex outlet. LED lights draw so little that Ive been using plain old cheap extension cords to them.
I have used, and am planning to use more usb rechargeable lights in our new cabin quite a bit, at least until I get the wiring for the little inverter squared away.
I have a 3 bulb led set off Amazon that has its own small solar panel with some fairly long leads to the bulbs, they disconnect for use and can be usb charged too. They look a lot like an Edison bulb but have a hook on the end rather than threads, just screw in a cup-holder hook and hang em where ya want em.
For bigger light Ive got a couple of 'tool kit' led lights, one usb rechargeable, the other runs off the cordless tool set battery and recently picked up 2 flat, magnet backed 'under cabinet' led lights that usb charge. My intension is to be able to use them a movable lighting about the place. All I need to do is screw down some metal plates here and there to stick them on to.
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spencerin
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2024 11:40pm
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What are you hesitations about using them? They don't use much power, and can last a reasonably long time between charges. As long as you don't mind recharging them on a regular basis, go for it.....
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 5 May 2024 10:46pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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We have just 'moved in' to the new cabin. I have set some simple hooks for the portable hanging lights that I fully charged off a power block and we are talking over the best location(s) for the metal strips that the magnetic mount lights go on. With a few diff strips location we can easily move them place to place.
My plan is that whatever light(s) we use of an evening get put on the usb charger on the big 12v 100ah lfp for an overnight charge; be good to go every day.
So far the lack of agonizing over wiring for lights is remarkable! Im feeling liberated 
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Brettny
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# Posted: 6 May 2024 12:37pm
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Typicaly if a older building is hooked up to grid power it would need to meet current electrical codes. Who knows what new electrical codes will be if/when your cabin ever gets power. Trying to future proof that isnt really a thing. However solar generators are prety cheap now and very portable.
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shingobeek
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# Posted: 6 May 2024 04:36pm
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We are in N MN, off grid, and use generator for filling water tower, but for all other charging needs we use a jackery, and solar panel.....all portable. We use the 1000, it charges phones, small re-chargeable led lights, and even powers tv on rainy day with hot spot!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 14 May 2024 12:13am - Edited by: gcrank1
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Did our 1st overnighter at the new cabin with my 'abbreviated lighting system' mentioned prev.
Worked like a champ
Imo, no need to keep the rechargeable usb wired to a wall wart, just recharge the one used the most and keep a rotation of charging ongoing. Have a spare or two just in case.
Usb is low voltage and does not need to have 120 to a wall wart to step down to what, 3-5vdc? Just run off a usb charger like your car/truck uses. Ive got an old jump-start pack with a cig-lighter port so I bought a cheap cig-lighter to usb adapter and my new 'pocket' jump pack has a couple usb's already there.
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