16 years
I am thinking of the same thing. However, I would find batteries annoying and time consuming.
I am investigating the possibility of running a 12v circuit around each room. Is this possible?
Bed Lights
General Hostel Operations
Hello,
I operate an HI hostel in Baltimore MD in the states. We recently opened in July of 2007. I am wanting to install reading lights on the beds for guests. They need to be battery operated and not so bright that they would disrupt other guests if someone was to click it on late at night. Some sort of easily rechargeable light would be ideal, as HI-USA is going green in a few years. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
- Comments
16 years
I am thinking of the same thing. However, I would find batteries annoying and time consuming.
I agree.
This version sounds interesting... Too bad the technology is not ready yet.
The one I found on the net with two emitters, it consumes 200mAh on 12V, which means 8 pieces of AA (1,5V) rechargeable batteries (each has a storage capacity of 3500mA the batteries I use, which is quite common IMHO) but hence you have to put it together linear to achieve the 12V, the total capacity would be 3500mA overall. This divided
by 200mAh results 17,5h capacity of use. Let's say your guests use the lamps only 2,5 hours a night, you would have to recharge them every week for 10hrs.
That's per bed, so if you have a 100 beds hostel, you have to recharge 115 batteries a day!!! :confused:
IMHO it is a very poor result, not to mention you need to use electricity to recharge them anyway, and even if the batteries are rechargeable, it is still a toxic waste. Which means it is not green.
I think green part comes with very low consumption... so maybe leave the old system intact and use energy efficient or LED bulbs?
I am investigating the possibility of running a 12v circuit around each room. Is this possible?
Everything is possible, but for a 12V system you would need to rewire each rooms which makes it difficult to install, then you need a voltage regulator to transform from 230V to 12V use at the feeding point, except if you use solar panels which usually 12/24V! ;)
16 years
Here is a photo of a hostel in Taiwan that hooked up regular lamps to the room outlets (I don't think they did any extra wiring). There are also a few photos in the Start a Hostel guide.
Lower bunk:
Top bunk:
15 years
The first decision to make is: 230V or a low voltage system.
Basically it's possible to use an open wire low voltage system. One central transformer (use an electronic controled one - the cheap ones make noise) for each room is fine.
Unfortunately it's hard to find suitable flexible wall lights WITH a switch for low voltage systems. Thos I found are rather expensive.
You have got the choice between Halogen-lamps and LED-lamps. Halogen is more comfortable for the eyes.
For 230V there are several lamp-types available:
e.g. from the Austrian Company EGLO:
http://www.eglo.com/webapps/katalog/katalog.php?cat=11 (Click on "SPEED")
Found this lamp in a german shop:
http://www.cht-cottbus.de/shop/index.php?cat=KAT692&lang=DEU&product=EEGLO000437
15 years
Ikea appear to do a whole range of 12v lighting, some with a built-in transformer, and many at very good prices.
15 years
There are Wall-Lamps availabe at Ikea Germany which need a 230V-porwersupply. But they have a built-in-transformer and the lamp itself is 12 V:
15 years
Ikea appear to do a whole range of 12v lighting, some with a built-in transformer, and many at very good prices.
I didn't know Ikea opened up in Crete as well? :P
Just kidding... How far is the closest Ikea from Plakias?
IMHO most hostels buy stuff from Ikea, including us. It's the best resource for furniture... ;)
15 years
I didn't know Ikea opened up in Crete as well? :P
Just kidding... How far is the closest Ikea from Plakias?
The nearest is a 20 minute walk from Athens Airport. I am thinking of taking a flight to Athens in February with an empty backpack, going to Ikea, getting 50 lights, then bus to Piraeus (it stops outside Ikea), then boat back home as I do not trust the baggage handlers at the airport not to break everything!
15 years
I do not trust the baggage handlers at the airport not to break everything!
Yeah, they make a sport out of throwing the luggage! :D
15 years
Update
Last winter we installed 24 low voltage bed lights where we had a nearby electrical supply. To the other 24 beds we fitted LED lights with 3 rechargeable AAA batteries. The batteries have a life of over 12 hours and so far this season (5 and a half months) just over half the batteries have had to be recharged - not onerous at all. This is probably due to the fact that not much reading is done when they return to the hostel at 5 or 6am. :D
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