Acirca 1942 1 USN Cell Beacon light for boating

This is a circa 1942 1 USN Cell Beacon light. These Single Cell Beacon lights were part of the military gear and were widely used at least through the 60s when I was using these affixed to my lifejacket. During our night maneuvers aboard the USS McDonough DLG in the Cuban blockade we all had to wear our lifejackets without beacon lights turned off or ready to be put on an instant. The light was very small and could only be seen on a clear night.

It was the only point of light that was available for rescuers searching for anyone falling overboard or who had been left in the water after loss of ship. Even though they gave out very little light, and they would often get waterlogged after several hours in the water and go out they still gave us a lot of confidence. After all, at that time they were all that time we had. We knew that had we gone over the side we would have been found because the beacon light was on.

I have since been working with TerraLux LED lighting and have found that one of their lights (TLF-3X3AA) reminds me very much of this Navy beacon light.This light is approximately the same size and has three LEDs gave a bright steady light being powered by three small batteries. It is in a plastic case with water seals making it very seaworthy. The light beam will last comfortably for over 12 hours submerged in water still shining brightly.

It is small enough for someone to put in a handbag or a backpack without having to take a lot of space. It does have a wrist strap that could be looped through any strap or around any small object. It also has a magnetic base which will mount to any piece of metal near what you are working on.

I have found that this is the perfect little light to strap onto my and my family's life jackets and it makes me happy to have been able to remember this little beacon light I used to wear in the Navy in the early 60s. As technology keeps improving many of our older ideas keep improving along with it. This is a very good example of that. A small beacon light that will last either in or out of the water is just one other little thing that is a great boost for our everyday life.

Till next time,

Tom Vohr

New LED Flashlight Line

OUR LED Lights,com takes pride in
Introducing the new Terralux LED Flashlight Line

TerraLUX LightStar220 - 3 Watt LED Aluminum Flashlight

• Dual Mode 220/100 Lumen Output
• Half Bright 100 Lumen - 6 hour runtime
• Full Brightness 220 Lumen - 1.5 hour runtime
• Operates on 2AA Alkaline batteries (included)
• Electronically regulated for constant light output
• Aircraft Grade Anodized Aluminum, Matte black finish

TLF-1C1AA - 1 "AA" LED Flashlight

2 Light Levels and Strobe

100 Lumens - 1.5 Hour Run Time

50 Lumens - 3 Hour Run Time

TLF-3C2AA - Single Mode with Momentary On

180 Lumens - 1.5 Hour Run Time

Now in matte BLACK color

TLF-1N1AAA - 1 "AAA" LED Flashlight with
elastic head band

Single Mode with Momentary On

50 Lumens - 1.5 Hour Run Time

Now in matte BLACK color

Model TF-3X3AA

TerraLUX TriStar - 2.5 Watt LED Magnetic Flashlight

• 3 LED's for 2.5 watts of constant, brillant light
• Squat body - only 4" long by 2.125" wide - perfect for tight spots!
• Includes 3AA alkaline batteries and attached wrist strap
• Magnetic end is broad enough to stand and strong enough to hold tight to vertical surfaces
• Push button on/off

This is a great break threw in LED Lightting Technology and more information is available at both OurLEDLights.com.

Tom Vohr

Why LED's Are Replacing Incandescent Bulbs

Why LED's Are Replacing Incandescent Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs have been used in flashlights for portable lighting devices powered by batteries for a hundred years. This useful but very old technology has a big disadvantage in that only 5% of the power consumed produces useful light; the remaining 95% produces heat. For this reason alone, light emitting diodes (abbreviated as LEDs or LED bulbs) are replacing incandescent bulbs in all areas of lighting. Check out our LED Up-grade kits.Over 20% of the traffic lights in America a today are LEDs and virtually all high mounted brake lights on new autos are LEDs. What drives this technology change are some surprising facts about LED bulbs, which give enormous benefits to users over incandescent bulbs such as standard filament vacuum bulbs or the newer krypton, halogen, or xenon bulbs.

1. LEDs use less power thereby saving on flashlight batteries up to a hundred times. Instead of having dead batteries in 1 - 2 hours, you have the batteries producing light for 3 - 30 hours, typically.

2. LEDs are virtually indestructible as worklights and flashlights whereas regular flashlight bulbs only operate 10 to 30 hours before they burn out. LED flashlights and LED worklight items are generally rated for a minimum of 10,000 hours or over 1 year to as long as 100,000 hours or 10 years of continuous use, so they are effectively lifetime light sources.

3. LED's can focus their light into a beam without external optics allowing better spot viewing at distances. They can emit a whiter light than incandescent bulbs or in most colors without a colored lens system that absorbs 50% of the light output.

4. LED's can give out low levels of light for extremely long period of time making them perfect for emergency situations when you cannot replace batteries or need 24 hour plus lighting. Most incandescent flashlights go off within an hour or so of continuous use leaving you alone in the dark. We offer high quality LED emergency lights.

5. LEDs are shock resistant because they lack a fragile, high-temperature filament; making them a great work light. Also, unlike a hot filament, they pose no danger of fire or explosion under ordinary circumstances. We carry mini LED lights, replacement LED lights, and LED light engine products.

Declaimer TerraLUX is not affiliated with Mag Instrument, Inc., which owns the Maglite and Mini Maglite trademarks and the trademark shape, style and overall appearance of the Mini Maglite flashlight. Mag Instrument's trademarks are here used only to identify the flashlight with which TerraLUX intends its upgrade to work. The TerraLUX Light Engine is not made, endorsed or sponsored by Mag Instruments, Inc.

TerraLUX is not affiliated with Streamlight Inc., which owns the Streamlight® trademarks and the trademark shape, style and overall appearance of the Streamlight® flashlight. Streamlight trademarks are used here only to identify the flashlight with which TerraLUX intends its upgrade to work. The TerraLUX Light Engine is not made, endorsed or sponsored by Streamlight, Inc.