The Lamps, Lanterns and lighting thread

**jerrymrc** · 02-07-2010, 16:26

The easy way to make candles. Gather up your stuff (posted above) and here we go. We are going to reuse those dollar store candle glass. Peal off all the labels and put what is left on the stove on LOW. All we are trying to do is melt the wax enough to get the old wick out (picture 1)

Once the wicks are out and halfway clean (picture 2) we need to melt the paraffin. Get a coffee can and make a spout on it. put your thermometer and the paraffin in it and start to melt it on LOW (picture 3).

Gather up your wicks and other stuff. (picture 4) Today we are using wire wicks that are already made. You can buy bases and bulk wick but today is easy. I use small paper clamps to position the wick with a stick (picture 5) Continue to melt the paraffin keeping it right around 200 degrees. I go ahead and add my color to it. Once all the paraffin is melted I turn it off and let it get below 175 for glass. The correct temperatures are marked on the thermometer for the type of mold you are using. I will finish in the next post.

**jerrymrc** · 02-07-2010, 16:31

Now is the time to add you scent if you so want. (picture 1) pour into the glass and reposition the wicks if necessary (picture 2) After a while the paraffin may pull down a little and you can top it off so to speak. let the candles cool and your done.

That is all there is to making simple candles.

**gnihcraes** · 02-07-2010, 16:40

I have several of these, and appear to be working still after 11 years of storage.

White gas, 100 hour candles

http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_CL%20C700_A_name_E_Clear+Mist+1 00+Hour+Emergency+Candle

and 4 of these... 120 Hour I believe these are the same you'll find in the stores with relegious figures painted on them...

http://www.homedefenseproducts.com/c...c7f48d05dbf58a

**theGinsue** · 02-07-2010, 21:14

SO, I finally came to realize that the "Aladdin lamps are just the old kerosene lamps. I've been meaning to get some of those.

Jerry, do you have plans/schematics for the led mod for the camper bulbs?

**jerrymrc** · 02-07-2010, 21:29

Originally Posted by theGinsue

SO, I finally came to realize that the "Aladdin lamps are just the old kerosene lamps. I've been meaning to get some of those.

Jerry, do you have plans/schematics for the led mod for the camper bulbs?

I could whip up something. There are some that are available already made and I bought a couple but I was not impressed.

**Chris2087** · 02-07-2010, 21:30

I also would like to learn to do the LED bulbs.

Chris

**theGinsue** · 02-07-2010, 21:44

Also interested in learning what material you used as the circuit board/led placement holder.

**Irving** · 02-07-2010, 21:52

Someone on another board just posted that they converted their whole RV to LED and the lighting as terrible because it was too white. Apparently LEDs might not be the best with direct lighting. It personally probably wouldn't bug me, but it's something to think about if it might bug you, or the wife. So consider hiding the LEDs behind something to make it indirect lighting. Just a heads up.

**jerrymrc** · 02-07-2010, 21:58

Originally Posted by theGinsue

Also interested in learning what material you used as the circuit board/led placement holder.

The board was cut from some old X-ray extender boards. Just plain old glass/epoxy. Drilled the holes and mounted them up. left a 1/2" tab to stick in the socket and epoxied it up.

The back side, how it looks in the housing and the next two are the light. First is a 19W incandescent and the second is the LED. The commercial ones were almost as bright but the color almost hurt. BTW the LED pic is with the added diffuser.