Energizer unveils the Light-on-Demand modular LED lighting system

Energizer is definitely on the right track with its new Light-on-Demand modular LED lighting system, which features battery-backed LED light units that plug into a variety of fixtures and keep going even when the power goes out, but we'll wait until the designers can shake a little more ugly off this kit before we bring it home. The line is launching with several standard fixtures like the wired desk lamp and wireless wall sconce shown here, as well as a wireless motion detector and several emergency lighting solutions. Energizer says the gear was developed in response to research that showed people were "frustrated" by power outages and wanted lamps that stayed lit even during blackouts -- which seems fairly obvious to us, but we're not lighting researchers. Light-on-Demand units should be popping up in Targets later this month, but if Energizer really wanted to make a go of this, they'd hit us with a battery-backed LED light bulb, no?

[Charlie @ Feb 12th 2008 5:59AM]

The problem with a a battery-backed LED light bulb is that you would then have a fixture that would not turn off. You would have to turn off the fixture AND the bulb...

[TouchSky @ Feb 12th 2008 6:17AM]

Not if you just switch off the bulb and leave the socket hot.

BTW, I can see a LED bulb fixture that also acts an emergency light. If the power to the socket goes off, the bulb automatically switches on, otherwise it is controlled by a switch on the bulb itself for ordinary usage.

[Michael Chastain @ Feb 12th 2008 4:11PM]

I had a bulb like that, and it was awesome. It was a large fluorescent lamp bulb, with a built-in battery back up that was constantly charged in normal usage. The bulb had its own pull chain you used to turn the lamp on and off (the lamp itself stayed on at all times for charging). When the power went out the battery backup automatically kicked in and powered the bulb for about 15 minutes.

[Michael Chastain @ Feb 12th 2008 4:12PM]

I had a bulb like that, and it was awesome. It was a large fluorescent lamp bulb, with a built-in battery back up that was constantly charged in normal usage. The bulb had its own pull chain you used to turn the lamp on and off (the lamp itself stayed on at all times for charging). When the power went out the battery backup automatically kicked in and powered the bulb for about 15 minutes.

[C0nt1nu1ty @ Feb 12th 2008 6:34AM]

Diddnt this appear on dragons den UK about a year ago? Its very similar to one that was being pushed for sale in the UK and Spain

[Mike @ Feb 12th 2008 6:10AM]

I guess you could have a battery backed bulb... but it would have to have its own switch as well, which would make it less than convenient to use when the power was out. That would be doubly so for lamps in which the bulb isn't readily accessible.
However, I guess inconvenient is better than no light at all when you want it.
I am not sure I like it better than the idea they are putting forward here though..

- Mike

[adrian @ Feb 12th 2008 7:24AM]

I have one of these already. I bought it from Home Depot for $15, reduced from $50. Presumably coz no one except for a sucker would want one. It has hallmark Chinese quality all over it. But my Daughter likes it (3 yrs old). It has a detachable "head" that comes off and acts as a torch too.

So there !!!

[tekdroid @ Feb 12th 2008 8:16AM]

Energizer says the gear was developed in response to research that showed people were "frustrated" by power outages and wanted lamps that stayed lit even during blackouts...
-----
People frustrated by blackouts? Who woulda thunkit?
Thank goodness for this study.

[patsy @ Feb 12th 2008 8:22AM]

Nilay, you valiantly avoided the "off of" trap but then stumbled on the humble possessive "its"? For shame!

[Laura @ Feb 12th 2008 1:59PM]

you are my hero :) the "off of" is one that really gets me, and one that I only ever see being used by Americans for some reason...

[patsy @ Feb 12th 2008 2:40PM]

Alas, I must dash your hopes there, since I'm not American.

[Flashpoint @ Feb 12th 2008 8:23AM]

This is FANTASTIC.

Now I just need a battery backup for my Xbox 360, my PS3, my LCD television, my microwave oven and my refridgerator.

[Samo @ Feb 12th 2008 8:45AM]

I think you're better off with a power generator...

...OR, you could just build your own power plant o.O

[Harry Wagstaff @ Feb 12th 2008 8:24AM]

On Demand? You mean I don't have to put up with my lights switching randomly on and off any more? Awesome!

[Flashpoint @ Feb 12th 2008 8:26AM]

I live in a residential suburb of NYC and fortunately, our blackouts are FAR and FEW between. I think the most important things to backup are the refridgerator, and freezer because otherwise, you end up wasting ALOT fo food. Lights are neccessary, but if I were to buy backuped lights, I'd want them to be able to last no less than 48 hours.

[Laura @ Feb 12th 2008 2:02PM]

I think you mean few and far between.

But yeah, definitely agree, save the food first!

[The_Steven @ Feb 12th 2008 9:49AM]

Ugly is in the eyes of the beer-holder.


If it uses fewer watts per lumen than an bulb, less toxins than a CFL, does what it's intended to do, works well, lasts "long enough" and is reasonably priced, count me in.

[shawn @ Feb 12th 2008 12:12PM]

LEDs generally do all that. Yes. And they last longer than "long enough". In fact, as highly priced as the replacement bulbs (for standard fixtures) are right now, it is worth your while to place them in any fixtures that require a ladder to reach. You may only have to replace them once a decade. And, if that's not enough, many of them are capable of dimming, unlike CFLs. (and which will save even more power, assuming you have a newer dimmer.)

[techieguru16 @ Feb 12th 2008 9:56AM]

"but we'll wait until the designers can shake a little more ugly off this kit" i totally agree on that point. but it is still a good idea tho a backup for a fridge or freezer would be the most practical. what are flashlights for then? :)

[shawn @ Feb 12th 2008 12:22PM]

From experience, you do not need a backup power supply for your fridge or freezer for quite a few hours. The key is to leave the doors closed until power comes back on. If power is out for more than a day, you're hosed, though.

Before a tracked storm comes through, I pull a plastic bottle of ice from the freezer and stick it in the fridge. If the power goes out, the ice takes longer to thaw and the fridge stays colder for longer.

[Rick @ Feb 12th 2008 4:04PM]

Someone needs to work on LED bulbs. I want brighter bulbs with more coverage so I replace halogen bulbs and incans, etc. CFLs are good for now, but I'd rather have LEDs in the future.

[shawn @ Feb 12th 2008 12:18PM]

I live in Florida. We get blackouts during some tropical storms and most hurricanes. So this is of use to me.

However, these sorts of "always charging" appliances leach power 24/7. Uninterrupted light is nice, but it will cost you. If you don't care about the cost in energy or the effects that has on the environment, the pennies each of these adds to your monthly bill is probably worth it. If you do choose to pay attention to power consumption, you may want to keep these down to minimum, and in my case, only plug them in during hurricane season.

Note that if your power goes out at 3am on a work-night, you'll be greeted with a face-full of LED to let you know.

[Panathas17 @ Feb 12th 2008 1:09PM]

I doubt u Americans have it as bad as us poor South Africans...................................... "sigh"

[Mark @ Feb 12th 2008 1:58PM]

It seems like they took (stole?) the http://www.vessel.com candela idea of an inductively charged light and expanded on it by adding the fixtures.

[ace_spades @ Feb 14th 2008 12:54PM]

looks like something from IKEA. That's not necessarily a bad thing though.

[Allen @ Feb 16th 2008 1:11PM]

"Energizer says the gear was developed in response to research that showed people were "frustrated" by power outages and wanted lamps that stayed lit even during blackouts"...Just doesn't seem like a really relevant argument to bring a line of lighting fixtures to market. With most public power systems having a realibility of 99.9% or better, I predict these will be showing up in a closeout store near you in before the end of the year!!!! If you want to try some inexpensive LED bulbs that will fit standard lighting fixtures, http://www.shop.DonsGreenStore.com has some of the best prices I have seen. These are dim bulbs, but at least you arn't risking much money to give one a try. No mention what these little Energizer fixtures cost?