What is it with external lights?

[Mr_D]

The exterior light pollution is happening even around my house. The local PUD came through and replaced the old street lights with new LED units. More efficient but their light is directed down and the neighborhood is dark now outside of the pools of light. So, people are leaving their porch lights on overnight. The net effect is more power being used.

[Dav L]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

The exterior light pollution is happening even around my house. The local PUD came through and replaced the old street lights with new LED units. More efficient but their light is directed down and the neighborhood is dark now outside of the pools of light. So, people are leaving their porch lights on overnight. The net effect is more power being used.

That all might be but the town hall's bill is now less
For the home, automated lights are helpful. Turning on once in a while, and definitely turn on on event (someone walks by). This is much easier to install and do than ever before. Home Depot is your friend.

[jlechmanik]

Originally Posted by Dav L

That all might be but the town hall's bill is now less
For the home, automated lights are helpful. Turning on once in a while, and definitely turn on on event (someone walks by). This is much easier to install and do than ever before. Home Depot is your friend.

Tried those but with dual lights in front of our garage they never seemed to work properly. So I like most of my neighbors leave our external garage lights on. We also have zero crime on our block.

But at camp? When sleeping? I have seen few if any reports of vandalism, robbery or theft in campgrounds. Well except for people unplugging others external lights.

[ScoobyDoo]

Originally Posted by cfowler55

Exactly. It's all good as long as everyone conforms to their wishes.
And this from someone who doesn't burn their outside lights.

You want to enjoy your lights, fine. I just wonder how much fun they are between the time you shut of the bedroom lights, and you get up in the morning?
And lighting the path to your door? Once the family is inside and secure, let the bad actor or wildlife bring his own light. That beam, or the sounds of him tripping might give you more time to defend yourself.

Originally Posted by Mr_D

The exterior light pollution is happening even around my house. The local PUD came through and replaced the old street lights with new LED units. More efficient but their light is directed down and the neighborhood is dark now outside of the pools of light. So, people are leaving their porch lights on overnight. The net effect is more power being used.

Yes, the old pole spacing, and mature trees makes for areas of dark and light. And if I see movement in the shadow, it attacks my attention. And if there is something in a shadow, then in another, without crossing the pool of light they will be in a flashlight beam.
I can sit on my stoop, and watch the progress of a cat or raccoon as the motion lights come on. If mine come on, I know somebody is in the yard. No reason to leave the light on all night....

[Dav L]

jlechmanik, There are lots of different ways to accomplish similar. And, dependent on the situation, some work better than others. I wasn't really talking about traditional motion detection lights which some work, others don't well. More about "smart switches" like Z-Wave or Lutron Casetta. Then for detection of motion, best is to use security system detectors. Wired and Wireless models are available.

[uglyhog]

If you don't like lightning all night. Do not go to Sand Mountain NV. On Easter week.
Generators running all night, about 1000 rvs, rowdy people riding atvs all night. Kids on atvs. Camp fire's everywhere. People drinking and having fun.
If you go there make sure you have a tow strap on your atv so you can tow people that run out of gas. Everytime I went there I would tow for Beer.
But it looks like a mini Vegas at night.

[Bob_C]

A lot of the brightness comes from the color that's chosen and the placement......under the awning on the bottom of the rain gutter and on the roller, pointing back toward rv, keeps the lights and beams in ones area.......the campground I winter at wants me to keep my lights on all night, due to the campgrounds location, and the wildlife that roams at night.....two legged as well as four.......they have problems with a few that rent a spot, then their herd sneak in and use the showers and everything else........usually the tent guys just passing thru.....while lights might not be for everyone, they are needed in certain areas

[Oderus]

Originally Posted by tcg

Have you considered introducing yourself to your neighbor, explaining that and asking if they could dim their lights?

I was camping a few weeks ago and our neighbors were enjoying themselves and their music while they played games, their music was a little loud so I went over and asked if they could turn it down.

They apologized and turned it down.

That was easy.

That sounds like too much work. I'd rather just post a passive aggressive comment on an RV forum. /sarcasm.

Seriously though, why are so many people afraid to talk to their neighbours? Just talk to them. Complaining here does absolutely jack.

[oakcreekeric]

'merica !!!


Different strokes, for different folks !!

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by tcg

I've never seen a Vegas style lighting technique in a campground.

I wonder if my solar powered led lights that I hang on my awning and barely light anything but my wife enjoys looking at would be considered Vegas style lighting that would upset people that are complaining.

I'm beginning to think people are exaggerating what it is that bothers them.

I've seen campers string strands of lights between trees, sometimes nailing into the trees to hold the strings up, while at the corners, using twin 500 watt halogen work lights on stands. I've encountered running lights strung out over campsites that look just like neon Vegas Casino signs. Nope, no exaggeration!

Don't know if you read anything else in this thread or not but if you had, you'd know that i'm not against lights. I use them, we all use them. Your solar powered lights, my dinky 7 watt a bulb old fashioned incandescent owl lights, and Joe's porch light aren't going to bother anyone some 99.9% of the time.

Uglyhog, I ride ATVs myself and yep, there may be a time we might go to Sand Mountain. Thing is, I would know up front that lights and noise were to be expected. I would not go to a park or campground like that and then try to tell someone keep it quiet or turn down their lights. More times than not, we choose campgrounds that we think will be on the quiet side and more back to nature oriented.

[cdinatl]

Maybe we need to just be a bit more selective in where we camp. There are plenty of reviews that we can read about where we are going or wish to camp. Times are changing. There is WiFi now in parks, even though it doesn’t work most of the time. Didn’t use to be there. I hate it but the world is changing and so is technology so led lights are cheap and everywhere. I think in the future unless we go to state parks or boondock most RV parks will look like Vegas. We can’t control that and we’re going to have to change because we’re obviously are not going o be able to control things. Bottom line don’t let it steal your joy. Be thankful you have a nice rig and enjoy life 😁

[WeLikeCamping]

I've been following this thread and I"m just amazed at the "deal with it" responses. It's like people want you to be confrontational so that they can have a confrontation. Over something as stupid as turning the lights out when you go to bed. I was even accused of being ignorant of flag code for pointing out this obnoxious behavior. There is a point where you have to temper your patriotism to your environment and be considerate of people around you, that may be just as proud as you for being an American, but also just want to have some space. When you are jammed into one of these CG's a little common-sense and understanding goes a long way.



Yes, people. This is why I avoid campgrounds whenever possible. You know, there are times when asking someone politely to dim the lights is not really an option, so I guess the $$$ I pay when I get stuck in a campground doesn't matter, because you paid the same for a well-lit parking lot that you are lighting up.


Yeah. 'Merica. Nuff said.

[palehorse89]

I have been camping since 1964 when our Parent's bought their first HR bumper tow w/ a over hang in the front. Camping back then as I grew up included, Campfire's(Sometimes all day long, all weekend long), Cooking out on the fire, Smore's, Fruit pie's in the pie iron on the fire and evolved to pizza pie's.......Coleman lantern's with the little socks in them burning after dark, Full string of awning light's on every camper! even strung between the camper's as there was a large group that camped for decade's together , and yes, most were on all night back then............all different kinds and shape's of the lighting......
So, from then to now...........it is nothing like it use to be when I grew up........
I am so thankful that our Parent's raised us camping and did a perfect job doing it, and thankful for the time in life that it was done, will never beat the 60's-80's for growing up! Thank you Mom & Dad!!
(Click on photo to enlarge) The camper had "Propane Lighting" in it with little sock's in them.......we were always catching Hell for poking them!!

[Dav L]

It would be nice of WalMart to turn the parking lights off at night.

Just kidding