Gary G Posted January 28, 2002 Share Posted January 28, 2002 I just bought a battery-powered twin florescent tube lamp from Screw-Fix Direct. Cost me £19.99 and I've got to say that it's the D*gs B****cks. It has the highest Wattage per tube I could find for battery powered jobs and it really is bright given it's not connected to the mains. It takes 20 hours to charge, but can last up to 3hrs if you use just one tube. Use both tubes and this reduces to 1.5. Not long enough for some of you who like to tinker all night, but good for most of us. I'm not on commission or connected in any way to this company, but you can order on line at www.screwfixdirect.com. The other thing to note is that they do everything you'd want for DIY projects, plus quite a few car bits, and so far I've found them rediculously good value for money. C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted January 28, 2002 Share Posted January 28, 2002 I had a laser-level from them a while back. Works really well and was a good price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 Screwfix are pretty good value, they sometimes have some wonderful offers. Last year I bought a 9 inch angle grinder (thats a big one) from them for £40. I have used it for over 100 hours since cutting concrete blocks and for grinding and it has easily paid for itself. I have never seen another one of these cheaper, and wish I had bought two. I am a satisfied customer. Edited by - Graham Perry on 29 Jan 2002 07:25:02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buda Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 Why two? has the other one broke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike ashurst Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 Yep, Screwfix are brilliant, I've bought loads of gear from them over the last six months for doing up our new house. They're cheap (half price compared to "B & Base"), next day delivery, and if there's any problem with the gear (even if you order it incorrectly!)they have a return post deal set up or they will pick it up from your house! Apparently they used to supply trade only, and realised that there was a market for their services with the general public, went on the net, and haven't looked back. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 Gary G thank you... I'm behind on car mods due to living in northern parts with even shorter days... off to buy one (maybe two)!... Next problem is to find a way of powering my Carcoon next year... any ideas? Tricks Y57 CDS "Mutley" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 THAT IS EXCELLENT INFORMATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was going to post a question about this... but thought i'd get laughed off the site ! my council rented garage is a few hunnerd yards away from my pad, so i have a no 'lectric problem too. brilliant.. i'm off to the website now. cheers gary g ! teeth.gif ps ORDERED IT ! Edited by - jam mad on 29 Jan 2002 14:27:15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 I solved my no electric problem by buying a 110amp/hour caravan leisure battery ( cost approx £40) and a 12 volt neon strip light (again designed for caravans, cost 15 quid). The battery should power the light for around 80-90 hours (its not flat yet after 2 months of use), then when its flat I'll just take the battery home and recharge it. It gives good enough light, and its on a long cable so can be used as an inspection type light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 Julian - The caravan battery sounds like a great idea! My garage is in a block without power and I was considering buying a small petrol generator. Apparently Machine mart offers a couple models described as "whisper quite". Any comments on buying a generator for such use.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 I breifly looked into generators, but decided they were too expensive (all around 200 quid), however they do give you the facility for proper 240V mains type eletric, so you can run all your tools off it. the draw backs I could see were :- cost, noise (although I've not heard one thats been described as whisper quiet) I think the people that live in the flats where the garage is wouldnt appreciate it, exhaust fumes (ie you need the either run the generator outside or plumb in some sort of exhaust tubing) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 Mim... I have on loan a small Honda "silent" generator... wouldn't say it whispers! interestingly it takes a little time for 240v kit with high consumption (vacume cleaner) to get going! Anyone have an idea how many amp/hrs I need to power a Carcoon per week? or is that a mad idea... Tricks Y57 CDS "Mutley" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 How many watts does the carcoon take and at what voltage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary G Posted January 29, 2002 Author Share Posted January 29, 2002 Glad to see this information is useful. Now I wish I was connected to Screw-fix, as their sales are rising rapidly!! By the way, the lamp comes with screw holes on the back so that it can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, but can still be removed for charging. I'm going to mount mine on a board and experiment with white paint and/or tin foil to enhance the effect. Another good hint: I'm gonna take it when I go camping in the 7 coz it will light my tent and the surrounding area! C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 forgot to say:- power (Watts)= current (amps) * voltage (Volts) so if your carcoon takes 12 watts at 12 volts, it will draw 1 amp, which means a 110amp/hour battery should in theory power it for 110 hours, you can take a few hours off this due to the fact that the battery wont supply the full 12 volts for the whole 110 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted January 30, 2002 Share Posted January 30, 2002 Gary, where are these on the screw fix web site? X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary G Posted January 30, 2002 Author Share Posted January 30, 2002 Simon, Sorry I can't do the link thing, but if you do the following you will find it: Home page Shop Lighting Work Lighting Rechargeable Lantern. I noticed that it's £19.99 on the website but the mail order catalogue is asking for £25. The catalogue only came out recently so maybe the web price will increase soon?? C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted January 30, 2002 Share Posted January 30, 2002 The lamp is £24.94 incl postage... mine is delivered today i hope... better rush as these guys won't know whats hit em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen Posted January 30, 2002 Share Posted January 30, 2002 Leasure battery is a good idea as it is built to gradually discharge and come to no harm if it sits around in a discharged state. It should be possible to mount a solar cell array on the garage roof to trickle charge the battery - Sail boats use this kit and I believe prices have come down over the last couple of years. Regards allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted January 30, 2002 Share Posted January 30, 2002 Maplin sell one for about 20ukp I think. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickAllen Posted January 30, 2002 Share Posted January 30, 2002 Other non-mains power type stuff at ampair.com (I think) manufacturers of Wind generators solar panels, and if you happen to have a fast flowing stream running past your garage (who doesn't?) then there are water generators also. Spoke to them at the boat show also and they said that a standard lead acid type car battery will lose 25% of its capacity to hold charge each time it runs flat so better to keep it topped up little and often. I am working on a solar pannel trickle charging a car battery which then powers the "caravan" strip light. Any excuse to avoid actually working on the car itself!! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted January 30, 2002 Share Posted January 30, 2002 mine just arrived at my desk !!! EXCELLENT ! now.. how do i get a double strip light home on my moped ?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary G Posted January 30, 2002 Author Share Posted January 30, 2002 Jam Mad, Check out the picture on the box of a guy sat outside with the lamp superimposed next to him. Hilarious! C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARK WARREN Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 On the subject of Solar chargers, my brother uses 1 he bought from Maplin, ( heavy duty weatherproof )was about £80 but had a reasonable output. He has it in his garage window ! It keeps his Fire Blade bike battery well charged. It would definately increase the time required between re-charges. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted February 4, 2002 Share Posted February 4, 2002 just a quick report on the screwfix light. EXCELLENT. if i bought two more, with a spare standard worklight, i could have a fully operational nocturnal electricity-less garage. with just one, i was still pottering about last night well after dusk. also, screwfix were excellent, the light arrived the day after, and they even include a stick on label with their address and postage on delivery in case i wanted to send it back. one customer satisfied. if you have problems with no 'leccy in the garage, they can't be beat.. and screwfix had everything in their catalogue for very good prices. some stuff cheaper on the 'web. happy tinkering ! j teeth.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark shekle Posted February 4, 2002 Share Posted February 4, 2002 Try B&Q warehouse, they are selling the same type of dual use lantern (two tubes with a torch light at one end) for £19.99 made by RING. Rechargable battery & mains usage. Just a thought. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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