IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Kybar on Feb 16, 2007, 08:53 AM
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Just bought some LED rope lights (6' long/First Ice brand) for my shanty. Tried them last night by hooking them up to my cordless drill battery (18V). They're nice and bright, and drill batteries are fairly light weight and easy to recharge. Just wondered how long you guys think they'll last using this setup? I have a couple 18V and one 12V drill battery. Thought I could surely make it through the night with the 2 18Vs? Anybody else tried this?
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Looking for a lighting solution myself...never tried powering anything from my drill batteries...my hardside is 4x6, those lights should be enough to perform surgery, eh?
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A number of folks that I run across use another vexilar battery to support their power needs for lighting the shanties....
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Yeah, I've heard that the vexilar batteries work well, but I don't have one and was looking for an alterntive solution. Basically anything that's fairly small and portable and that I can recharge many times without it giving up on me.
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12V may be ok, but I wouldn't use that 18V. Those lights are only rated for 12V. It may work, but it will shorten the life of them! I've only seen the 12 batteries from other portable electronics used. I'd stick with one of them.
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a small ATV bat should work iwould also try the portable battery packs or booster pack
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Yeah, I saw those, but they were around $40-$60, and I was trying to keep the cost down. I don't mind buying an extra drill pack, as I'll use it for the drill too. Just don't want to get out on the ice and have the thing give up on me after 30min.
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I pull the 12v out of my lawn tractor every winter and use that for shanty accessories.
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You can get a flasher/fishfinder battery with recharger at Cabelas for 20 bucks.
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You can get a flasher/fishfinder battery with recharger at Cabelas for 20 bucks.
No kiddin? Well maybe I'll have to look that up. Does it matter what size they are (volts/watts/amps - I'm electrically ignorant). Thanks guys!
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If your rope lights are l.e.d. bulbs, your current drain will be much less than standard bulbs. It should state somewhere on the package what they draw.
I would stick with a 7amp hour or larger 12v rechargable. You could also visit your fine folks at your closest radio shack, for help.
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Would you guys say that these sets of lights ar bright enough not to need a lantern to see my fishing line? Was wondering before I bought them. Are they worth the effort and money?
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Would you guys say that these sets of lights ar bright enough not to need a lantern to see my fishing line? Was wondering before I bought them. Are they worth the effort and money?
With a 6' strip you should have no problem seeing your line ... and if you're anything like me you don't want it TOO bright. Just enough to see what you're doing.
And yeah, using a higher voltage than rated is the best way to destroy LEDs. The pins heat up fast on the solder around the base when too much voltage is applied and they burn right up. At the correct voltage they should not get hot at all.
Using a deep cycle battery or something similar you should get weeks of light. A 6' strip of LEDs is rated what, maybe 6 watts? 6 watts/12 Volts = 0.5 amps, 150 AH (average commercial deep cycle 12V battery)/0.5 amps = 300 hours = 12.5 days of light, 24/7.
Does that sound right to everyone else? I'm bad at math this time of day ...
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Last year i bought a spare vex battery from sportsmans guide for $20.It even came with a charger.That should be small enough and light enough for what your looking for.
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Tried my 12V cordless drill battery over the weekend and am happy to report that it ran my LED lights from 5:30am until 11am (I just left it on after daylight to make sure it would keep working). Not sure how much longer it would have lasted, but the fish weren't biting, so I headed for home. I'm going to stick with it rather than buying one for right now.
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Avoid the Clam rope lights at any cost- if a store is giving them away-JUST KEEP WALKING!! I am a HUGE Clam supporter- I have a 5600, and a Fish Trap Pro, heck, I even have a Clam hat I wear alot, but they really missed the mark with their rope lights. A Bic lighter gives off more light, and won't drain your Vex batteries.
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I find a small headlamp to be more than enough light for night fishing. I got a cheapo Energizer LED (2 white plus 1 red) headlamp for $17, batteries included, and the batteries are supposed to last 50 hours. I've had it out at night for crappies and it's worked great. It actually puts out the PERFECT amount of light. Any more and I'd be lighting up the whole lake.
My motto is, never use something more complicated than you need to. Rope lights are cool, but they don't work any better than a cheap headlamp and they use more electricity too - plus you have to rig them yourself in most cases.
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I second that one. Just be sure not to accidently wear it into your local Wal mart.Ya get the strangest looks ??? ???
Funny you should say that - I wore mine into the gas station on Sunday by accident! Girl at the counter looked at me funny.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/2-x-38-LEDs-White-Light-Bulb-Lamp-WIDE-ANGLE-MR16-12V_W0QQitemZ300081344659QQihZ020QQcategoryZ43425QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/2-x-38-LEDs-White-Light-Bulb-Lamp-WIDE-ANGLE-MR16-12V_W0QQitemZ300081344659QQihZ020QQcategoryZ43425QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
These work fantastic. Feels like daylight inside the shanty. I am using 2 of them and its more than enough light, plus the math says I could run 2 of them for around 20 hours off a flasher battery.
Here is a pic to give you an idea,
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/scott_hummel/IMGP1850.jpg)
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sphynx, do you have some sort of housing for the bulbs or just hook right up to the pins? Also, do you possibly know Dan thats in Wahpeton? if so, I have seen the lights he has
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I've also discovered that the 4' LED strings at Gander Mt. (First Ice Brand) are brighter than the 6' strings. Maybe the 4' versions are the "newer" lights I've been reading about on other threads. If you've got a choice, I'd go with the 4 footers. They also seem to be a little better quality.
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artycat, i have the same lights as syphnx, i got them from him, he had mounted them in a little piece of pvc i think.
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You can just get a genorator.
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for my portable I take along a booster battery pack I have a few of em been really impressed with using the one with the built in inverter and running reg ol compact florescent 10 watt light in one of those clip on lamp holders plenty of light used the Light and 12 vt fan was still strong 8 hrs later
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yep I concur to what macenvy said
(not that i have any idea what it meant but it sure sounded good) :-[
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I found these last year but haven't ordered them yet.
http://www.pcboard.ca/shop/shopexd.asp?id=140 (http://www.pcboard.ca/shop/shopexd.asp?id=140)
Where do you keep your batteries so they don't flop around in the bottom of your sled? I was trying to find a way to mount the battry in a box with a rocker switch to turn it on and off. And also be able to store the light in the box when not in use. My best box idea so far was an old metal ammo box. Maybe use a quick disconnect to be able to put the light and wires in the box too.
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Yeah, I saw those, but they were around $40-$60, and I was trying to keep the cost down. I don't mind buying an extra drill pack, as I'll use it for the drill too. Just don't want to get out on the ice and have the thing give up on me after 30min.
Why not plug it in at home and let er run until the lights go out? This should give you an idea of how long the power source will last out on the ice.
Winchester 88
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Why not plug it in at home and let er run until the lights go out? This should give you an idea of how long the power source will last out on the ice.
Winchester 88
that would be too easy :D
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What is First Ices website address?
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Those lights that Jbird linked to look pretty sweet and cheap. Think I might try 2 sets of them this year and see how they work.
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I bought 2 1156 48 led lights was very impressed hooked them up to battery with 2 on, voltage went from 12.22 to 12.17 pretty bright also bought this halo type led light has 48 lights runs off of 3 aa batteries its a tent light was also impressed with it
(http://i6.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/b4/7b/352e_1.JPG)
(http://i3.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/9e/83/add1_1_b.JPG)
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Anyone ever try 2 or more of these? I just bought one on ebay to see how bright it is-
http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Portable-Flood-Lighting-30-LED-Light-Strip-AA_W0QQitemZ220164220752QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53149QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Portable-Flood-Lighting-30-LED-Light-Strip-AA_W0QQitemZ220164220752QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53149QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)
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Anyone ever try 2 or more of these? I just bought one on ebay to see how bright it is-
http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Portable-Flood-Lighting-30-LED-Light-Strip-AA_W0QQitemZ220164220752QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53149QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Portable-Flood-Lighting-30-LED-Light-Strip-AA_W0QQitemZ220164220752QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53149QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)
6 AA Batts = 9 volts.. I wonder if it would work on the 12 volt batts that come with flashers, or would 12 volts be to much....
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The hour ratings on the batteries aren't too bad (25 HOURS) I may just use the AA battery set-up. AAs arent too spendy, not like Ds
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jbird68.. I ordered some of the lights ealier this year from www.pcboard.ca (http://www.pcboard.ca) (the www.pcboard.ca/kits/LEDLite/ (http://www.pcboard.ca/kits/LEDLite/)) and have been very happy with the results. Although they are wired for 13.8v, I was running them at 12v (running with 10 Ni-MH 4200mAh sub-C cells) and they still produce tons of light and I can easily get 24 hours of constant running out of them before needing to charge the cells again.
When I purchased mine, I was able to get them without the tubes and saved a few dollars - contact them and see what they can do for you - they were very accomdating for me. I see they have round model now with 18-LEDs that I am thinking about getting next.
Joseph
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Vexilar has a light that fits right on the pro pack .. powers up right up off the battery ...check it out on there web sight www.vexilar.com (http://www.vexilar.com) "they call it the flex light"
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(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18818)
Got this for my portables at Menards.The light heads turns 360 and tilt.No wires no extra weight of battery packs.The best lights Ive ever seen in a portable by far.
BTW the light bar clips on to the shack poles useing these slick boom stick holders I found at home depot.Works with square tubeing too.
(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18794)
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(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18818)
Got this for my portables at Menards.The light heads turns 360 and tilt.No wires no extra weight of battery packs.The best lights Ive ever seen in a portable by far.
BTW the light bar clips on to the shack poles useing these slick boom stick holders I found at home depot.Works with square tubeing too.
(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18794)
I like the looks of those lights are they LED?? if so what is the brand name and cost, as there is no menards up here in northern maine prob none in maine at all lol thanks
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Yes, there LED 12 all together 3 in each housing two light settings high and low. I was thinking about putting some red headlight tint on a couple of the lens Give my shack the hunt for red October feel.Down periscope! as I lower my camera :laugh: Ok its late Im nuts :o
Made by rite light.
$20 for the lights and a few more bucks for the holder
They might have them at home depot or lowes
(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18795)
(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18822)
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Like Kybar, I purchased the First Ice 4ft rope LED lights from Gander last season and a battery w/charger($20) similar to the vexilar battery and was more than happy with how much light they put out in the shack (2-3man). I even had my hat clip on LED lights for when I was out of the shack doin some jumpin around from hole to hole but found myself lots of times taking the rope lights and battery with me. That battery will last for days if left on with those lights. I was happy with the purchase. There are some pretty sweet setups out there- this just happened to be what I used last year and wanted to post that I was happy using this setup then.
Bring on the ice!!!
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Used the same broom stick holders for my micosoft Zune Something to keep me entertained on slow fishing days.
(http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/small/18819)
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the clam corp, who makes shanties ,sells led rope lights that use the batteries that you use on one your flashers
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the clam corp, who makes shanties ,sells led rope lights that fun of of the batteries that you use one you flasher
those Clam ropes are about as bright as a candle, my dad blew $30 on a rope of them last season and we weren't impressed.
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OHHHH never used them i only saw them on their site
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It seems to take a lot of LED's to get sufficient lighting!
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I keep hearing the clam LED rope lights were disapointing, not so w the "First Ice" 4 footer at Gander, they are bright. I do use my vex battery to to run the lights as well, but when I am in my shack I purchased an extra battery to run them off of.
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I keep hearing the clam LED rope lights were disapointing, not so w the "First Ice" 4 footer at Gander, they are bright. I do use my vex battery to to run the lights as well, but when I am in my shack I purchased an extra battery to run them off of.
Yeah, I keep hearing great things about the "first ice" ropes- I am definitely gonna have to try them out.
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Got this for my portables at Menards.The light heads turns 360 and tilt.No wires no extra weight of battery packs.The best lights Ive ever seen in a portable by far.
BTW the light bar clips on to the shack poles useing these slick boom stick holders I found at home depot.Works with square tubeing too.
What is the power source for the lights? Can you turn each light on or off individually? Could you hook it up to an external battery? I like the size and the ability to aim each light seperately. We have a Menards close by, I'll have to see if they have these in stock.
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6 AAA batteries
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What is the power source for the lights? Can you turn each light on or off individually? Could you hook it up to an external battery? I like the size and the ability to aim each light seperately. We have a Menards close by, I'll have to see if they have these in stock.
Runs off 6 aaa
no,cant turn them on or off individually but you can put tape over the lens
no external battery hookup but im sure the lights will run for along time maybe 48hrs dont know?
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Well I got the first of probably 4 lights total I am gonna get off ebay. I bought one set first to make sure they were bright enough before I got any more, and I am pleased to say, I will probably go ahead and order the 3 more- heres some pics, they are pretty bright, but I figure 4 banks total and it'll be like daylight in the shanty:
Turned off:
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/zamboni007/Picture025.jpg)
In my dark shanty (in basement):
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/zamboni007/Picture026.jpg)
And what the shanty looks like lit up:
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/zamboni007/Picture027.jpg)
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Those look pretty bright! You have a brand name for those?
Well I got the first of probably 4 lights total I am gonna get off ebay. I bought one set first to make sure they were bright enough before I got any more, and I am pleased to say, I will probably go ahead and order the 3 more- heres some pics, they are pretty bright, but I figure 4 banks total and it'll be like daylight in the shanty:
Turned off:
In my dark shanty (in basement):
And what the shanty looks like lit up:
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Portable-Flood-Lighting-30-LED-Light-Strip-AA_W0QQitemZ220169392942QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53149QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Emergency-Portable-Flood-Lighting-30-LED-Light-Strip-AA_W0QQitemZ220169392942QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53149QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)
Heres a listing for them.