Portable Light

Portable Light FARM SHOP Tools 15-1-8 Here's a good alternative to flashlights. George Manning, Saskatoon, Sask., put together his own portable, high-powered light to carry around the farm. Manning says he was fed up with conventional flashlights because they wore out so fast and didn't provide enough light. He simply built a box out of sheet metal to house a 12-volt spill-resistant motorcycle battery. He attached a 35-watt sealed beam tractor light to the hinging cover of the box, wiring it to a good-quality automotive toggle switch. The light is mounted on a 2-way swivel. Manning also fitted the box with a small reading lamp. The 35-watt bulb will blaze for 6 hrs. while the small reading lamp will burn for several days. "At 16 lbs. it's not made for long marches but it works great for many applications," says Manning. "It worked so well I made a second unit using an automotive battery, a standard 110-volt light switch and a piercing 55-watt auto-motive spotlight." For longest light, the batteries in the lights should be kept in the upper half of their capacity range. They also have to be kept upright so they won't leak. "They work great for machinery break-downs or calving. All individual components are simple and durable and can be easily replaced," says Manning. He says make the box big enough so you can pad the inside to keep bolts from protruding against the battery. Vent the box to allow hydrogen gas to escape, and don't let battery terminals short out on battery box. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, George Manning, Box 6001, Saskatoon, Sask. Canada S7K 4E4 (ph 306 382-5465).

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