Flying a Flag at night when camping

[Sav'h Steve]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

Here are some pics of what is working well for me. It is a $5 light from Lowe's, it is 12 volt and wires easily to existing 12 volt at the jack post. I made the light mount out of wood, which i turned on a wood lathe. It is very simple to "put on" and "take off" , just takes a little creativity to mount to the camper.

A slight modification to the light stem, a short piece of pvc conduit and some black paint. I also used 1/4" wire loom to "pretty" up the job.

Sandlapper, that is Great ingenuity! Anything else would be stuck in the dirt or just standing on the pad and either of those options are a tripping object in the way.

And I appreciate your posting the pics! With your permission I'd like to copy that ....

Anyone have or have seen a better working way to illuminate the flags? Now I just need to get on of 'em flag holders....

Steve

[sandlapper]

Hey thanks Steve, mine works really well for me. I tried several different combinations, settled on this one. Please feel free to help yourself. I am working on a permanant, easy mount for the light onto my pole holder so a custom fitted wooden thing would not be necessary for the coupler latch. I am also still searching for a nice quality, perhaps aluminum, spot light. In the mean time, this rig provides cheap thrills.

Some details:


The light: 12 volt low voltage from Lowes. 4w, $5. Plenty bright enough to light up Old Glory w/o bothering the neighbors. Other styles are available, including a "wall wash" version around $35. I cut the stake portion off , leaving about 1'' of the straight section to insert into the piece of pvc. I cut off the factory wiring coupler and crimped on 1/2 of a automotive type 12v protected coupler.

The wooden post thing: I turned it out of wood, one end turned down to accept the pvc, other end sawed into a saddle shape to fit over the coupler latch. Insert a pin/clip thing to hold it on. I have an idea for a way to put the light directly onto the holder but haven't quite worked it out yet.

The wiring: My trailer already had a light on the jack post so I just spliced into it with the other half of the electrical coupler thing. That way it is simple to unplug and remove for traveling, and it serves as the switch.

The PVC collar: Standard 3/4'' grey pvc conduit, about 3'' long.

I used 1/4'' wire loom to clean up the wiring, and black paint on the wooden thing and the conduit.

I don't split hairs over protocol, but when it is easy to do the right thing, I try to do it.

John

[sandlapper]

Patriotic, colorful, and a big part of Airstream history.

Hard to fly a flag w/o a pole, hard to have a pole w/o a holder.

Airstream +flags + poles + holder + light = AWESOME

[sandlapper]

Full moon light.

[Mowabb]

Here is what I just set up:

[sandlapper]

Nice. What light did you use, and where did you get it?

[Mowabb]

It is the Solar Flagpole Light by Deneve. I purchased it on Amazon.

[pmclemore]

I take mine down at night, just as I always take my awning in. I have been rudely awakened often enough by a sudden wind that I just don't want to be bothered.

Pat

[sandlapper]

Thanks for sharing, Mowabb.

[Gearheart]

Few people have any knowledge of flag etiquette. As a Scouter I learned about it and then started looking around. I was shocked. Many people here in Canada put a flag up and forget it. It is up in all weather day and night until the fly is shredded and the colour faded. Someone asked about the Royal Navy protocol for retiring a flag that was past its prime. I do not have a definitive answer but our Canadian traditions derived from the British so I can give the one I know. A flag that is used up is to be rolled up as for flag break and cremated. It is placed upon a fire and those present do not watch it burn. It is a solemn ceremony. Our Scouting family incorporates it into the campfire closing. A few words are said and the youth are dismissed. All walk away and the campfire chief puts the flag into the coals and walks away. The fire crew comes back after 5 minutes and puts the fire out according to good practice.

[BAB]

I have one of Sandlapper's three hole flagpoles mounted on my jack. I added two, four bulb LED work lights...one points upward at the flag(s), the other points right at the front of my PP hitch. There are two weatherproof switches mounted just behind the flag holder. Works really well, though I had someone complain that having the flag lit at night kept her awake. (Shrug...)

[Mowabb]

Pics of what the flags look like at night-please. The setup looks great! 👍

[kmlacroix]

Patriotism is no excuse for rudeness. Nice to see folks that do understand flag ediquet(sp).