As I said I got away form the disadvantages of mantle lanterns by using electric lights inside the tent.
I decided last summer to make a second one. Here is a pic.
Its made from a jelly jar fixture with the wall bracket removed and a pull chain switch, along with a ring hanger and Velcro strap, and a cord from a wally mart extension, added.
I use 350 to 400 lumen LED bulbs with a color temperature in the 2500K range (slightly yellow). After a bit of research I decided that use these bulbs since they provide enough light for reading or moderately fine tasks (at arms length from the bulb) without being too bright , too white, too blue or too purple... They are the same bulbs that I use at home and are thus available almost every where (wally mart).
I also select my 120 volt LED bulbs for minimum power consumption (important when your power is battery supplied).
I would like to cut the cord but so far have not found stand alone tent lights with the same advantages snd run times of more than a week, I check for better, more portable, lighting about twice a year.
An old pic of the original fixture in the 9x9 dome tent
Enjoy!
