Interesting idea Ty!
I use an ordinary battery powered light when I need it if the mains power is
off, but I do have two common desk lamps that use 12V halogen lamps. They
have small transformers in the base to drop the mains voltage.
One primary reason I haven't considered doing that is because even the
little desk lamps use 20 watts of power. That's over 1.5 amperes at 12
volts. Incandescent lamps are not very efficient.
How about an LED lamp? Shoot, I picked up a few LED flashlights for $4 each
a while back on sale. They put out a LOT of light! A simple holder would
turn one into a desk lamp in an instant.
Come to think of it, my Elecraft KX1 has just such a lamp built in!
Ron AC7AC
-----Original Message-----
I am the one that started this thread, altho the subject line has changed.
It is wonderful to have OT subjects that all can learn from.
Thanks to all that responed. I have learned much and now have even more
concerns about CFLs.
On the the next step, Where can I buy (or build) an LED desk lamp that I can
pulg into a spare APP (Anderson Power Pole) connection on my Rig Runner.
That will complete my emergency power setup. (Until I decide to put up solar
panels.)
73, Ty, W1TF
> As I sit at my computer the radio desk is to my back. I heard a
> burst of static behind me. That was odd since no radios were on. The
> only thing on at the radio desk was the desk lamp and a power supply
> that keeps the batteries charged. Both are plugged into a strip that
> switches power to them.
>
> I went over to the radio desk and looked at my
> equipment, both off. Still puzzled I turned on the 2m rig, all normal.
> Then I turned on the K3. All normal. I turned them off again. The K1
> sits by, not connected to anything at this time.
>
> Still puzzled I sat there wondering if something had happened to
> my battery bank or one of the batteries. I have three 26AH batteries
> in parallel. Each battery is fused before to goes to a fused buss.
>
> Then my nose began to notice the smell we all dread. Something
> electrical was over heated. Still I did not noticed a symptom I
> should have noticed earlier, the desk lamp was off. I touched the top
> of the lamp and it was very hot. The bulb, a 13 Watt Florissant had
> failed. The ceramic base was too hot to touch.
>
> How often do Florissant bulbs fail this way?
>
> I had the feeling that if I were not there a fire may have
> started.
>
> 73, Ty, W1TF, K3/100 #696, K1 #1423
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
