• Smokeydope@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Hey entropicdrift good question. Those kinds of lanterns are expensive and complicated electronics with a definitive life expectancy. The lantern you linked is over 20$ for a single unit. It uses a non replaceable rechargeable lithium battery built inside it that will only last about 500 charge cycles give or take before degrading, if you are lucky and one of the other cheap electrical components doesn’t fry first.

      In the long term I deem its more cost efficient to create a simple light fixture with easily and cheaply replaceable bulbs. A pack of 4 cost less than that lantern.

      Its also a simple matter to convert any lamp fixture into one that can interface with my power system. Cut off the AC plug and replace it with a male cigarette plug. The trick is knowing thst you have to buy the right kinds of bulbs.

      So when the 12v led bulbs do eventually burn out its a cheap single 5$ bulb that and a minute to replace it.

      Apotential benefit if I choose to power it with usbc-pd instead is variable dimmable lighting based on voltage level if the bulb is 12-24v.