Lantern or Rope light AKA How do I illuminate the canopy?

[4x4junkie]

how long would a strip run off of some double A batteries?

If you dimmed it way down it probably could last several hours to maybe a couple nights... Though at that point it probably wouldn't be much brighter than many of the other battery-powered options that are available (my tests show a full 5-meter LED strip (undimmed) pulls roughly 2¼ amps (between 25-30 watts) when hooked straight up to a 12 volt source, with a total light output I estimate between 1600-1800 lumens).

I think you're best off just hooking that to a cig-lighter plug with the dimmer wired inline and calling it good.

 

[Happy Joe]

For tent or canopy lighting I use a 450 lumen 120 volt LED bulb in a globe (plastic) fixture, suspended from the dome or frame center via a strip of Velcro one wrap.
I power it via a H/F 80 watt inverter and a small (35 AH) deep discharge battery.
Plenty of light for games or socialization (or reading if within a meter or so).

(Sorry I cant seem to find a pic of it installed in a canopy).

Enjoy!

 

[Deschutes]

Harbor Freight solar rope light provides nice ambient lighting but not anything more than that. And it solves the power problem.

http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-rope-light-68353.html

 

[Rumblefish_Pro]

How about Rhino Rack lights,

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/lighting/light-packages

Oztent had some similar lights at Expo this year, even had a AA battery pack in one of their tents.

 

[rayra]

LED XMas lights plugged into a 12v cig lighter inverter. Very little draw.

 

[oscar the grouch]

LED XMas lights plugged into a 12v cig lighter inverter. Very little draw.

wont running the inverter kill the battery?

 

[moodywizard]

I was a big believer in coleman lanterns, until I finally switched over to Streamlight lanterns. The battery consumption is very low due to LED and they are very versatile. I use them to BBQ at night as well.

 

[acg]

I bought a couple of these to attach to the bottom of the RTT to light up the awning area. Surprising small (5.5" x 1"), but lots of light. Micro-USB charging. Can be removed from the mount and be hand carried. Motion-sensing in the dark to save battery power. And less than US$15. However, please note the supplier is in China and it takes a month to deliver.

http://www.banggood.com/NEW-Design-...rgeable-LED-Cabinet-Night-Light-p-964508.html