Lighting comes in a few use cases, and it comes in a few methods of providing light. Lighting is necessary but is also a creature comfort as we have been used to light in current times. Here are the use cases and methods of providing light.
Use Cases
- Ambient Lighting
- Reading Light
- Path or Area Lighting
- Security Light
Methods of Lighting
- Battery Based
- Oil Based
- Wax Based
- Wood Based
For ambient and reading light, the preferred method of lighting is a portable battery-based light as they can emit a fairly large amount of light. Solar charged battery-based light is my favorite, as I like to minimize waster that I produce (disposable batteries is just that, requires disposal). Oil lamps are also a good option. Make sure to use a more refined fuel like paraffin liquid fuel as opposed to kerosene or other fuels for indoor lighting. Outdoor lighting, anything goes, except avoid fuel that creates a lot of smoke.
Path or area lighting can be accomplished using a campfire, torches, outdoor oil lanterns, and solar charged battery-based lighting. I like to have light until about 9pm or so, and then lights out, except the campfire, and maybe a small reading light indoor if I decide to do some reading.
The last one is security light. This is where I use solar charged battery-based lighting that triggers based on motion. This allows me to know that there is an intruder in the area (or curious wildlife) so I can be aware of the situation and be prepared to take necessary action. This is especially useful in off-grid situations, especially if the system has a camera as well to see who or what triggered the motion detector.
Wax based lighting was not mentioned above, except in the list. I like candles, but it is purely for ambient light. It’s difficult to read using one candlelight, and it doesn’t last long. That being said, candles are the easiest thing to make if you have the resources available. If you raise bees or can find a beehive, you can take the wax out of a beehive and process the wax to make candles.
Battery-based lighting doesn’t always mean self-contained. It can also be a 12V lighting, or lighting that comes from power from a battery bank into an inverter to provide standard 110/120V light. I do like portable light as I can move it from room to room.
I hope this helps.
