http://www.everything2000.com/news/computer/thailandy2k.asp

Thai's Urged To Have Torches For Y2K

Government calls each citizen to be prepared with torches and radio

The Thai government does not anticipate serious Y2K computer glitches at the turn of the millennium, but people should keep torches and radios handy to be on the safe side, a minister was quoted as saying.

Reuters reports The Nation newspaper quoted Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri as saying the government had distributed five million pamphlets explaining ways to cope with millennium bug problems.

They recommended emergency lighting and portable radios in case of problems, he said, even though the three main power supply bodies were fully prepared to deal with any glitches.

He said 31 government agencies responsible for key public services would all be millennium compliant by the year-end.

The Nation said previous surveys had found 68 percent of government offices to be compliant. Recently, Thai airlines had contemplated grounding all of its flights on New Year's Eve because of low bookings and Y2K fears. Many airlines have done the same.

DATE: 11/23/99

-- Brooklyn (MSIS@cyberdude.com), November 24, 1999

Answers

Torch is "English english" for flashlight.

-- Sam (Gunmkr52@aol.com), November 24, 1999.

Government says you need a flashlight? Of course you do. Unfortunately most flashlights eat batteries in a few hours, and the bulbs are mostly all rated at 10 to 50 hours. (assuming you do not drop the thing) Darkness in 1 day to 1 week.

Total darkness can be easily avoided for months or YEARS. LED bulbs last for decade(s) and each set of batteries will last from days to months or even years. The LED bulb will save more in batteries than it will cost you.

It is fairly easy to make a flashlight bulb replacement using a single white LED (or any other color). Ready made ones are also available. A single set of D cells will last up to a month of continuous usage, AAs up to 4 days. (Yes, I have tested this.) If you use fewer batteries (2 alkalynes instead of 3 for the white LEDs) or a larger resister the light output of course drops, but the flashlight can light for up to 6 months or more continuously for D cells. Approaching a month on 1 pair of AAs. (my 2 AA flashlight has been on for 14 days now. Still testing.) rather dim, but Infinitely More than nothing.

I am talking about useable (very dim) minimum light for 6 hours a day for 2 years on a single pair of alkalyne D cells. $2 for batteries, $2 to whatever for the 2D flashlight, $3 to $35 for the bulb or parts.

how-to guide and construction instructions: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/4397/ look in the left column for pictorial directions

-or-

http://people.aero.und.edu/~nordlie/astronomy/redlight.html shows more of a clear line drawing with text description.

http://www.kiyoinc.com/WRP130.HTM has lots of different views and experiences in LEDs. And other useful information.

Holly Solar at www.hollysolar.com has ready-made 3 LED bulbs for 3 cell flashlights (like big maglite) for under $20. Good brightness. About a week run time on fresh D alkalines. Maybe two months on 2 D cells, again, rather dim. Other sources are Real Goods, Jade Mountain, C Crane, etc. The bulb will save more in batteries than it will cost you.

White LEDs are available many places including Holly Solar at www.hollysolar.com, Jade Mountain at www.jademountain.com, Hosfelt Electronics at http://www.hosfelt.com/ (I really like the 7 candle power ones I got, but they are $6 each).

-- tree (thetrees@bigfoot.com), November 24, 1999.