Ralph E. Powers wrote:Lehman caves in Nevada is now starting to install (via experiment) LED based lamps in the cave. Contact them for details. Yes, I realize as a national monument they are supported by tourist and tax dollars where as privately owned tourist caves are supported by the tourist dollars themselves. Still, the overhead costs of lighting can be reduced enough to eventually offset the costs of LED lighting installation.
Funny you should mention Lehman Caves.
I toured the cave 18 months ago, and was chatting with the NPS seasonal interpretive ranger who was our guide. He apologized in advance for the "shocking" cave lighting (pun intended). During our tour, some sections of lighting were only partially lit, and the switch in one section would not turn off again! He and I were discussing LED lighting, and he did mention the park's budget was a big limiting factor. I mentioned that if future cave lighting plans were publicized within the caving community, caver volunteers would probably offer to help with some of the labor during installation. He then steered me towards the boss ranger, and I had a chat with him too.
Unfortunately I was only passing through the area briefly, and haven't been back since. Glad to hear the LED lighting plan is going forward.