When The Lights Go Out!

This has been an ongoing source of frustration for all the people of our country, “When the Lights Go Out”, we now share meme’s and laugh about it. It is not just incompetent Eskom and angry weather we need to worry about, the World’s economy is in shambles. Who knows, what the future of Energy looks like for us? When the winds are high and the weather is weepy, we have lost a pole or two with the electricity being down for as long as three days at a time. So how then do we prepare for when the lights go out? 

Today we will take a look at the various products and options available; rechargeable lanterns and globes, solar lanterns and Gas fuelled options as an alternative. Let’s get started!

Rechargeable Lamp and Lanterns 

Leisure Quip USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern with Power Bank

The Leisure Quip USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern has a built in power bank, so you can charge your phone/tablet while using the lantern, can be used for camping, auto repairing or just an extra light during load shedding. This 220 Lumen lantern is constructed from heavy duty, high impact plastic, has a 5 Volt power input, battery capacity of 2000mAh, and an impressive 5 hour charging time for 24 hours of running time.

The bottom of this lantern neatly twists off; this is where you will find the USB cable, very clever!

Rechargeable LED emergency light with 30 integrated LED lamps

EUROLUX rechargeable LED emergency light is a must have that can be used anywhere, it comes with a 475mm charging cable, charging indicator light, test button & wall mounting option. It has a sleek profile and is equipped with a rechargeable 3.7V 1.2Ah sealed lithium-ion battery, with 7 hours running time on a 24hour charge time, and a 30,000 hour lifetime.

The Build it House Brand 6 watt Rechargeable LED Lamp

This clever little energy saving bulb is a rechargeable LED light bulb, once charged this 6W light bulb will provide up to 4 hours light, during load shedding. These rechargeable LED light bulbs are a “must have” in the home, 4 hours will give you enough time to get the children off to bed and wrap up a few last minute things before heading off to bed.

Rechargeable Solar Lantern

LED Rechargeable Solar Lantern

Now this Lantern is the one that I am excited about, this one has a solar panel! When the electricity goes down for a few days, you are most certainly going to want one of these. The rechargeable solar lantern comes with a mounted dimmer switch, 8 hour running time on a 24 hour charge, 30 000 lifetime hours includes a DC socket and can be charged by 0.75W Poly Solar Panel or mobile cable.

The Rechargeable 4V 2000mAh Sealed Lead-Acid Battery has a much higher power density that lasts longer between charges. One major lead acid batter advantage is that they do not require any maintenance to ensure their performance. 

Gas Lamps

Cadac Ultra Lite 300 Candle Power Gas Lamp

The Cadac Ultra Light Gas Lantern is ideal for the outdoors, it's perfect to use when camping and caravanning, fitted with a glare reducing glass and a stainless steel burner stem that is also rust proof. The Ultra Light operates in silence, has a high light output, comes with a fold-away, stay-cool carry handle, and hanging hook for storage. This Gas Lamp also comes in a smaller version, the Cadac “Handi Lite” 100 candle power gas lamp.

Alva 300CP Gas Lamp

The Alva 300CP Gas Lamp with stainless steel burner stem and heat resistant glass, fits Size: 3kg or 4.5kg or 5kg refillable LPG gas cylinders and provides superior lighting around camp. The Alva gas lamp has a low gas consumption of 210gr/hr, with 300 candlepower light output, and up to 30 hours burn time on a 3kg cylinder, so that you are never left in the dark. This Gas Lamp also comes in a smaller version, the Alva “100CP Gas Lamp”.

Handy Hints for When the Lights Go Out:

How to Light Your Home

1. Make your flashlights easy to find by attaching a strip of glow-in-the-dark tape to the body.
2. When a flashlight is not in use, store the batteries in it upside down to conserve their power. When you need the flashlight, just remove and reinstall the batteries, making the proper + and – contact points.
3. Invest in headlamps for each family member. These enable you to have both hands free to do tasks, and family members will be more independent.
4. Buy candles and store them with a few secure holders, such as clean, empty food cans half-filled with sand.
5. Consider getting kerosene lamps, lamp oil, and wicks. Practice lighting them in advance of a power outage.
6. Have a supply of lighters or matches to light your candles and lamps with, too.

How to Cook Without Power

1. If you have one, cook on your woodstove: Heat canned soup and boil water for tea and instant coffee.
2. Cook on your outdoor grill - but only outdoors. Never use an outdoor grill indoors.
3. Have potluck dinners with your neighbours and take turns hosting.
4. Open your refrigerator or freezer door only when absolutely necessary. Before opening the door, visualize the contents to minimize the time the door is open.

If You Lose Your Water

1. When a storm threatens, fill your bathtub with water (for washing and flushing).

These are just a few tips and some of the fabulous options available from Build it Gansbaai/Hermanus, for when the lights go out. 

Don’t get caught in the dark, purchase in store or order online, these would make lovely gifts and would defiantly jingle some bells.

Build it Gansbaai/Hermanus offers local delivery, supplying the greater Overstrand area with building materials, do-it-yourself home improvement tools, and expert advice.Build it Gansbaai/Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.

Build it is a division of the SPAR Group Limited South Africa. A voluntary trading group of individually owned retail stores with more than 10 000 employees across the group, we currently have stores in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique with plans to expand into Botswana and Zambia in the near future. We view ourselves not only as a supplier of materials, but as a partner to our valued customers in accomplishing their building or renovating projects.