So I've got this camp in the backwoods of Maine. Okay, its not really the back woods but its a rustic camp, woodstove, gas lights etc.
The problem is I like to read in bed and theres no way to put a gas light so it'd be useable there with it still being safe. I'm tired of flashlights, they're not a good solution at all, even with rechargable batteries.
I have a 5w solar panel hanging around, and a couple of 12v lead acid batteries from some other projects so I'm thinking to rig up some 12v lighting that I can power with the 5w panel (since I have it and its not doing anything).
CF would work but its only a 5w panel and I only need spot lighting to read with. Plus in the winter time it can get quite cold in the camp and the point of this light (somewhat) is to allow me to snuggle into my sleeping bag and read without having to stoke the stove.
So I think it'll have to be LED. The bulbs I've looked at seem overly expensive and maybe not even bright enough. The information on Otherpower seems to indicate I should make this light myself... So yesterday I took a gander at eBay to see what was available for LEDs. I'm flummoxed, there are so many choices. Of course so many are in Hong Kong....
I think I'm going to pick up a set of 50 LEDs and try wiring them up straight with a resistor first. I'll test it out at home and see how it does with varying voltage. If I can limit myself to 3-4w I shouldn't really ever seem my voltage ever going that low right? If not I could give a try at the more complicated regulating supply but I want to try not to, my electronics knowledge is limited.
So whaddya think?
Thanks
-Curt