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Need-A-Vacation's avatar
Sep 21, 2014

Campsite Jug Lantern

Since we always camp with others (more than 1 site) I stole the jug lantern idea from the tent campers for a little light around the campsites. Worked great, just a little glow, but was something different at the same time.

I cut a 2x8 so it was square. Then cut a 4" hole in the center. I put a Harbor Freight special 27 led light $3.99 bought on sale for $2.49 or $2.99 (can't remember). Sorry no pics of the base.

Added water and food coloring:





Had six jugs total placed around, all different colors. Purple didn't glow very well, green was pretty good. Both red and orange worked well also. Don't throw out a lot of light so it shouldn't disturb the neighbors.

Plan on making orange jugs for our Halloween trip.

Mods: If this should be in a different forum , please move! Wasn't sure where to put this!
  • Few yrs. ago we went to a music festival outside of Dixon, MO over a Labor Day Holiday.

    Hanging up in the trees were 55 gallon plastic barrels......later that night it was obvious what they were for when they turned the auto work lights hanging down inside the barrels

    Hillbilly lanterns :B

    Just enough of a glow so you could see to walk around but not enough to be distracting. Worked great.
  • Sometimes they give them away for free with a coupon, have gotten a couple like that for free. Last year DW bought a few to give grandkids and they had a ball with them. :)
  • Slick idea. I made some solar lights using some clear plastic canisters and adding a solar light to the top. Painted the inside with clear, then yellow. That way the yellow has something to stick to and the paint won't scratch off.
    You have to drill a hole in the lid so the light will appear in the base. I use Velcro to hold the solar light top on.

    Of course any team decal could be applied as well as color. Depending on the lums from the solar light it will light up a 3-4' circle. We also take it inside the 5'er at night and use it for a night light in the bathroom when boon docking.

  • I use Mason jars with holes in the lid for the little light bulb to hang down into it. I put glue on the inside walls and whatever color glitter to give it a good look. (I just did some orange ones and painted pumpkin faces on in black). The white or silver glitter puts out the most light.

    I use the $.97 cent solar stake lights from Walmart without the stick, then use waterproof glue/silicone to attach the light fixture to the jar.
  • I've seen the bucket (5 gal) lights wired to 110v, but some good ideas with the solar lights!!!

    A flyer came in todays paper for that light for FREE! Lol Guess I will grab a couple more since the paper had 2 flyers!
  • Need-A-Vacation wrote:
    Since we always camp with others (more than 1 site) I stole the jug lantern idea from the tent campers for a little light around the campsites. Worked great, just a little glow, but was something different at the same time.

    I cut a 2x8 so it was square. Then cut a 4" hole in the center. I put a Harbor Freight special 27 led light $3.99 bought on sale for $2.49 or $2.99 (can't remember). Sorry no pics of the base.

    Added water and food coloring:





    Had six jugs total placed around, all different colors. Purple didn't glow very well, green was pretty good. Both red and orange worked well also. Don't throw out a lot of light so it shouldn't disturb the neighbors.

    Plan on making orange jugs for our Halloween trip.

    Mods: If this should be in a different forum , please move! Wasn't sure where to put this!


    Wonder how it would work if you made the hole small enough to use an 'up-side-down' Solo Party Cup. They come in red, blue, green, and yellow that I know of.

    Fred
  • FROM OP : "I cut a 2x8 so it was square. Then cut a 4" hole in the center. I put a Harbor Freight special 27 led light $3.99 bought on sale for $2.49 or $2.99 (can't remember). Sorry no pics of the base."

    This led light is usually available "free" with coupon and any purchase. Has a magnet in the side opposite the led array, and also leds in one end. (We use them in our duck blind for ceiling lights).

    Sorry for the duplication, I missed tvman44's post.

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