Do you use "emergency" lighting ?????

[Junkman]

Here in the Northeast, we just had a major rain/wind storm go through a few days ago, and many people are still without power. I installed a few emergency lights in the garage a few years ago, and when the power goes out, I can find my way out of the garage without breaking a leg. I was wondering how many other have given thought to emergency lighting in their home or garage. The only downside to emergency lighting is that you need to check the status of the batteries at least once a month, and replace them when they fail. Replacement batteries are expensive, but one of those necessary evils of having something that you seldom need, but when the need arises, you are glad to have it..

 

[Red Green]

I have a several bags of tea light candles and a few regular candles. Plus lighters and a couple Maglites and some extra batteries. Included in my emergency supplies is about 40 gallons of gas in cans that I rotate every couple months or so with fresh. In case I need to run the generator for an extended time in the winter.

 

[cobymedic]

I was actually thinking about this the other day, might be something I do when I fix up the garage. For now I just have a bunch of cheap flashlights in different spots that I can grab rather easy. Plus it is always handy to have flashlights around for other things.

 

[tfi racing]

Not a bad idea if you live in an area with less than reliable power like where I am.I never considered putting one in my garage before,but since I have a unit or two left over from my contracting days I am going to install one,not sure that I would spend the money otherwise.As always it is a good idea to have flashlights that work,matches and candles on hand for when the lights do go out!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The reason for having emergency lighting in the garage is simply to be able to find your way out of the shop when the power goes off. With all the clutter most shops have, and that things get moved around, projects in the way, etc, you would have a difficult time finding your way out.

Emergency exit signs with emergency lighting is on my to do list. Already have the fire extinguishers identified by signs high up on the wall where they can be seen.

Charles

 

[jjkrjh]

I put up T8 fixtures in the garage. (2) of the fixtures had battery backup in them.They will light one bulb when the power is out and last for 8 hours. One was placed by the man door and one in the center of the garage. During the high winds from Ike we lost power for along time. It was very nice to be able to get tools,ladders ect. when it was dark out. I highly recommend them, they worked perfectly.

 

[senlow]

A couple of weeks ago, I was working in the garage one night, and the power went out. It was pitch black in the building, and after taking two steps, I became totaly disoriented. I was afraid that I would trip over something and hurt myself. So, I dropped to my hands and knees and crawled, finding my way to the door by feel. Just as I reached the door my wife swung the door open from outside hitting me in the head with the edge of the door. It turns out that when the lights went out, she realized that my garage (full of cars, tools and machines) is not a safe place in the dark. So, she grabbed a flashlight and and rushed out to the garage to help.

Now that I have typed this story, it sounds kinda dumb. It was pretty funny at the time. I guess you had to be there.

In case anyone is wondering - NO i have not installed emergency lighting.

 

[LoneGunman]

Yup, but then again I am an electrician and think about such things.

 

[HOTFR8]

Thats the good thing about my Solar Power with mains back up that I have in my works. I can happily go on working with the basics. If the power is going to be out for some time and it is dark I just turn off all I do not need. A wind generator is next on the list if I can get council permission.

The LED work lamp is a better back up than the old candles. An open flame in the workshop I think would be dangerous. Specialy if you store fuel like that.

 

[MisterCMK]

Batteries in e-lites should be replaced every 5 years or so a tested monthly. If you are going to install e-lites, do yourself a favor and install them all on a dedicated circuit.

 

[Aceman]

If you are going to install e-lites, do yourself a favor and install them all on a dedicated circuit.

Why?

Just so happens today I was installing emergency ballasts in some new doctors offices that were not on dedicated circuits(which is a typical installation practice). Of all places, if that was needed, don't you think a doctors office would have it?

The way it's done is to run a 3 wire out of the switch box using one leg as a constant hot. If you have only one emer. light run to it first and drop the constant hot off there. Then branch out with the switch leg to your other switched fixtures. If you have a few emer. lights, run 3 wire to all of your switched lights, splicing the constant hot through the non-emer. ones.

 

[Junkman]

Batteries in e-lites should be replaced every 5 years or so a tested monthly. If you are going to install e-lites, do yourself a favor and install them all on a dedicated circuit.

There are other times that emergency lighting might come in as an important lighting source, even if the power were not to fail. An example is when a circuit breaker were to trip, leaving the room in darkness. There is no way that I would want the emergency lighting all on one circuit. I have seen where one leg of the power would fail, and half of the 110 circuits were dead, and the other half were still live. This was at work where we had a 3 phase panel. Don't know enough about electric transmission to know if it can happen on a single phase circuit...

 

[LoneGunman]

Not only do I disagree that E lighting needs to be on it's own circuit, I'll go as far as saying they should not be on their own circuit, they belong on the circuit that supllies the lighting in that area.

 

[vlpronj]

Why? <SNIP> Of all places, if that was needed, don't you think a doctors office would have it?

I'm not an electrician, but I imagine it would be easier to test the lights by tripping the breaker if nothing else is on the circuit.
Might not be what the poster was referring to...

EDIT: Yeah, I know they have a "TEST" button, but that's just testing what happens if you push the "TEST" button...

 

[Junkman]

The test button breaks the connection to the AC power when you push it. If the light fails to go on, then there is a problem. The only reason that you might not be able to push the test button is if the light is so high that it is unaccessible. In that case, then you can just flip the main breaker. This is what we did in the office building to test the emergency lighting once a year when the fire department made there inspection. It was always done when the offices were shut down for the week end...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have seen where one leg of the power would fail, and half of the 110 circuits were dead, and the other half were still live. This was at work where we had a 3 phase panel. Don't know enough about electric transmission to know if it can happen on a single phase circuit...

I lost one leg of my power to my house, underground feed, rock rubbed thru the wire, corrosion and then it burned up. So, yes, it does happen.

Charles

 

[tfi racing]

E-lites are required to have their own circuit for testing purposes.The batteries must power the unit for twenty minutes,if not they must be replaced.Most institutions would be slightly less than impressed if you shut down lighting and power circuits for the required annual test,especially when human patients are involved!The test button on the unit is for a quick monthly check only,rules in your area may vary...
Saying that, since e-lites are not required in a residential setting,I wouldn't have an issue with putting them on a general circuit.

 

[Red Green]

The LED work lamp is a better back up than the old candles. An open flame in the workshop I think would be dangerous. Specialy if you store fuel like that.

I wasn't thinking of using the candles in the shop I meant for general use in the house. I have the gas in a separate shed from my workshop and the generator.

Also I plan to get some of the "backup" lights at least one by the door

 

[Torque1st]

Yes I run E-lights in my shop. I try to buy units with 12V batteries that way I can extend the power from the fixture to more places around the shop and home. Simple 12V automotive lights work great. You can even buy LED replacement bulbs for many of them that will extend your run time. I also fuse the circuit that leaves the E-light enclosure. Many E-lights use a 6V battery which can also work for extended light circuits but it is not as convenient.

When I wire E-lights I run them off the same breaker that supplies my overhead lights. That way if the breaker trips or the power for the lights fails I have light. Have any of you lost power with a spinning saw or grinder in your hands? I have and it provides a bit of pucker factor.

I keep several LED flashlights and several gallons of Coleman fuel for my 3 liquid fuel lanterns and my 2 Coleman stoves. I also keep 3 fluorescent battery lanterns around the house for emergencies and power outages.

 

[Ray-CA]

I have a couple of the "plug-in style" emergency lights in both the garage and house. Can't work with just these lights, but you can find your way to the flashlight etc. The only draw back is they occupy a 110v outlet that could be used for something else.

Ray

 

[kbs2244]

Does any body have plans for a shop made e-light?
It seems like a good use for old car batteries and half burned out head lights.
A cheap trickle charger and a relay of some kind?

 

[chaingang]

Not only do I disagree that E lighting needs to be on it's own circuit, I'll go as far as saying they should not be on their own circuit, they belong on the circuit that supllies the lighting in that area.

I agree. In in my area code says the E-lights have to be on the same circuit as the lighting. Breakers can and will trip. If only the circuit that the lights are on fails then what would turn on the E-lights. Most commercial/industrial lighting is on a lighting contactor and the E-lights and exit signs use the same source as the contactor. Also, most light manufactures recommend completely discharging the batteries at least once a year for longer battery life. The monthly test doesn't accomplish this. And yes I will have both emergency lights and exit signs when the time comes.

 

[mmg440]

Does any body have plans for a shop made e-light?
It seems like a good use for old car batteries and half burned out head lights.
A cheap trickle charger and a relay of some kind?

I haven't built this plan. I just drew it up on paint but I have made similar to switch power for power supply backups I used other places.
The Trickle Charger should keep the relay activated keeping safety light off (default relay off turn lights on) When the power goes out the trickle charger voltage gone the cap will discharge threw the relay coil and the safety light will turn on. The delay time is longer the larger the cap is used. Make sure the diode is rated for the output amps of the trickle charger and the cap has the voltage rating higher the 14 volts

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=330-073

 

[Steve in Mi]

I have a couple of the type sold by Harbor Freight in the two bigger rooms of my shop. No handle on mine. The little batteries in them are still okay after 6 years but one lite is out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38013

I hope to add a couple more, one on the stairs and another in the lathe and mill room.

 

[mcdtommy23]

Emergency lighting is a must have IMO. Check out the thread on shop safety. As stated there such lights have saved my bacon more than once. Before installing the new electrical in the garage I only had 1 circuit. Every now and then while welding I would pop the breaker. There was nothing worse than being in a bad spot under/near a project with only the light of the molten metal to light the way.

Mine is wired into the same circuit as my lights. It's the only way to do it. Think of it this way; if a ballast or something shorts out on your lighting circuit - lights go out. If the emergency light is on a different circuit it won't light.

 

[ddawg16]

Have you considered using a UPS?
I have all my computers on UPS's. APC sells a small one for about $60...good enough to power the computer for about 30 min.....but, turn off the computer and it will keep a fluorescent going for several hours....

Only downside is that damned beeping every 5 min....

 

[Torque1st]

The beeping can be eliminated...

 

[kbs2244]

At $20.00 complete at HF maybe it isn't worth it to make one.

 

[HOTFR8]

I wasn't thinking of using the candles in the shop I meant for general use in the house. I have the gas in a separate shed from my workshop and the generator.

Also I plan to get some of the "backup" lights at least one by the door

Well I still have to say I do not like candles, so many house fires start with candles. If power is out in the house I use a battery pack and small invertor so at least there is one light in the house.

 

[tim096]

I dont have e lites. never really thought about it. After reading this post it looks like I have another think to do this weekend. I will be putting some in.

 

[HOTFR8]

Another reason to have them not just for power going out but security.

 

[jjkrjh]

Another reason to have them not just for power going out but security.

If somebody new comes to the house, they ask what the red light glowing in the fixture is for. I tell them it's the security system.

Keeps them honest and I'm still telling the truth.

 

[mmg440]

At $20.00 complete at HF maybe it isn't worth it to make one.

Yes good point. But with only 7.2 watts of light may need more then a few in a larger building. I probably will get one in one of my HF orders and try it in the shop first to see how bright it is and if it is enough to navigate threw the building at night. If not I will move into the house the main hallway near the bathroom.

Then still might makes something out of junk parts or even use one of the inverters I have saved from old UPS that everything else had stopped working in. A couple of tractor floods will light up the place enough to pick up a bit or to find emergency stuff. Maybe a default on switch at the walk threw door to save battery life when done and leaving.

 

[Torque1st]

Another reason to have them not just for power going out but security.

Having a motion activated light and E-light is great for security. If they cut the power to the motion light it sets off the E-light.

 

[Thomarann]

E-lights are what some of my many outlets are for.

Marc

 

[Dogberry01]

I have them in the garage and also in the basement over the panel

 

[JB740i]

There are other times that emergency lighting might come in as an important lighting source, even if the power were not to fail. An example is when a circuit breaker were to trip, leaving the room in darkness. There is no way that I would want the emergency lighting all on one circuit. I have seen where one leg of the power would fail, and half of the 110 circuits were dead, and the other half were still live. This was at work where we had a 3 phase panel. Don't know enough about electric transmission to know if it can happen on a single phase circuit...

We've lost a phase here at work before. Not a fun day.

 

[-JP]

A stand-by generator is the answer.

All the lights stay on and you don't have to worry about heat to keep everything in the garage from freezing.

It also allows you to keep working on your car while watching the game on TV.

 

[Aceman]

A stand-by generator is the answer.

If you think that's the answer then I have a question for you.

Do you expect every person to buy an automatic transfer switch with said generator for just their garage? Not very practical IMO. A standard transfer switch and genny still requires somebody going out and starting it. Which means you're still crawling your way out of a dark shop first.

Every place I've done work at that had a generator, had e-lights too.

 

[6768rogues]

I have one battery powered emergency light with two bulbs in my garage over the walk in door. I have been there when the power went out and it is easy to walk into stuff without a little light. The light is enough to get out safely and to return and find the generator if needed.