Garage Lighting - No Mains Power?

[groomi]

I've finally found a garage to hire locally which will give me a home for my forthcoming Westfield. I want to be able to do the usual bit of tinkering in the evenings etc., however as it is a rented garage there is no power to it and no opportunity to install any.

So, is there some sort of simple solar power, chargeable lighting system available anywhere? Or anything similar that anyone knows of?

Alternatively, does anyone sell glow-in-the-dark tools?

[Boosted LS1]

Can you run something from the car's battery or take a spare charged battery?

[sniff diesel]

In my old council lock up I used to use an old car battery and a same 12V fluorescent tube light. Was enough light to help put the car away but wouldn't be enough to work on the car in the dark. Didn't have to charge the battery in the year I had it either.

[sniff diesel]

Failing that one of these:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_fromZR46?_nkw=s...

[groomi]

I didn't know you could get 12V flourescent tubes. That could be a good way to go.

Any other ideas?

[skeeterm5]

what about a small generator?

S

[sniff diesel]

groomi said:

I didn't know you could get 12V flourescent tubes. That could be a good way to go.

Any other ideas?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12v-Flourescent-lamp-flo-tube-strip-light-van-caravan_W0QQitemZ380059191110QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380059191110&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[interloper]

With the weather this country has been having lately, solar powered lights would not be a great idea!

Steal your wife's scented candles? Okay maybe not! I would suggest either rent or buy a small generator or do what caravaners used to and run some 12 volt lights off a big old car battery. Create an extra battery box in your car and charge it whilst pootling along.

[miniman]

There is only one answer to this question

[Engineer1]

As the car going in is a westfield assuming it is complete it is still likely to want tinkering with, a former colleague had a kit car and was forever planning his next improvements, so a generator would make sense as for solar lights or 12v stuff make sure you get a caravan style leisure battery rather than a car one.

[Shaolin]

If you're going to work on it I think a generator is a must, looks like you can get one for £50-£100

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__portable-generator_...

[eldar]

Shaolin said:

If you're going to work on it I think a generator is a must, looks like you can get one for £50-£100

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__portable-generator_...

Good advice. A 4 stroke is usually cheaper to run, quieter and generally better. Bit higher output and around 150-200 quid.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/25850/Power-Tools/Ge...

foe example...

[Storer]

Remember to take your generator home with you each time or you may find some to**er will help themselves to it.

[me2]

And make sure you do not run the generator inside the garage under any circumstances.

[groomi]

Cheers Guys. I do have a generator but can't use it after hours (ie. for lighting) because of being in a residential area. Think I'll go for the car battery and lights arrangement.

[Viper]

get a silencer on the gennie, they work a treat

Edited by Viper on Sunday 7th September 10:17