Para's recent thread about battery lanterns got me thinking about other types of backup lighting. I have a few candles and a couple of kerosene lanterns from a thrift store. But are these the best for the job? As a kid we had a couple Coleman lanterns for camping. I remember them being a pain.<BR><BR><I>Yes, I know flames are a fire risk.</I>Do you keep non-electric backup lights? More than just a couple candles that is.YesNoWhat type? Or if more than one, what is your primary?CandlesKerosene lanternsColeman fuel, white gas, napthaPropaneOther

We have a bunch of candles, a few oil lamps, and I have a Coleman lantern that runs on regular unleaded gas.

We've got a bag full of votives and a Coleman propane lantern for camping. For emergency use, in anything other than an EMP, LED lights are pretty much the way to go.

Just so you know, the poll design forces folks who don't use non-electric backup to pick one of the options in the second question.

Might want to modify the second question to include (Don't use) as a choice.

To avoid messing with the results, I chose 'other'.

No need here - we have a generator and a 500 gallon propane tank.

They're not on your list but several Aladdin lamps here, some of which I've had for decades. High quality lighting, odorless, easy to use and maintain. They're now a little expensive but there's nothing else quite like them.

I collect coleman lanterns.

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Originally posted by joel9507:
No need here - we have a generator and a 500 gallon propane tank.

Does your generator have electronics that might be affected by an EMP? Our house is off-grid solar with a large battery bank (24 2 volt, 1700 amp hour deep cycle marine batteries) and an 8KW propane backup generator and we have a 500 gallon propane tank. That was great until a nearby lightning strike damaged the brain in the generator, taking it out of service. Yeah, if the propane generator hiccups now it is as simple as as taking the skiploader, scooping up the forks, scooping up the diesel powered arc welder (and 10KW generator), bringing it up to the house, plugging the pigtail in to the welder, starting it, and flipping the transfer switch. Of course in the event of an EMP, the whole solar system will likely be Tango Uniform, and while the skippy is old enough that it *might* still work the welder almost certainly won't.

At least the water gravities down from the 420,000 gallon (10,000 bbl) welded steel tank. In the event of an EMP, we'll likely be completely w/o electricity and lose the booster pumps as well as the tankless water heater, but we'll have plenty of water and 30psi of pressure. We likely won't be able to refill the tank, but as we probably won't be able to irrigate the orchard or the landscaping, it should last a good long time...

Hopefully we don't experience an EMP, as I am sure there would be plenty of other problems...

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At least the water gravities down from the 420,000 gallon (10,000 bbl) welded steel tank. In the event of an EMP, we'll likely be completely w/o electricity and lose the booster pumps as well as the tankless water heater, but we'll have plenty of water and 30psi of pressure. We likely won't be able to refill the tank, but as we probably won't be able to irrigate the orchard or the landscaping, it should last a good long time...

Hydropower, you could install a water wheel in the flow that would run gears to power a generator, as long as you have water flow you'd have power.

perhaps there is some kind of blanket you can cover the electronics with in case of an EMP type attack.

All of the above, but have two battery light sources for every room. They are safer and easier to deal with. From what I have read battery powered electronics won't be effected by EMP as they don't have an antenna (power cord).

I would, but I've heard it is a fire risk. You should consider that....





Candles (moreso), kerosene, and propane are all on hand.

I have a few oil burning hurricane lamps and I keep 2 or 3 extra bottle of lamp oil on hand for them. Flashlights are useful for tasks but for basic room illumination, especially for a longer time, oil lamps work great.

I have 2 Colmen lanterns in with the camping gear but I don't use them inside.

I tried mounting candles on the back of my 4x4, but getting out to light them each time proved to be too much of a pain in a butt, so I abandoned the idea.

I have both propane and white gas pressure type lanterns. In the winter I would use them for emergency lighting.

They are much to hot for summer lighting.

I guess I must really be a car person. My first thought was nothing else is logical for you car. I opened the thread.....o those backup lights!