# Moth trap tripod **URL:** \ **Category:** Nature Talk\ **Tags:** question\ **Created:** [June 17, 2024, 8:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460 "2024-06-17T20:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mr\_kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@mr\_kaiser](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mr_kaiser)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 8:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/1 "2024-06-17T20:03:52Z")
Hey everyone, I’m setting up my first proper moth trap and am only missing two more pieces. I currently have a 12v marine battery with a power inverter as a power source as I didn’t want to have to lug around a gas generator and listen to all that noise the whole night. The bulb I’m using is a 175 watt mercury vapour bulb with an H39 ANSI ballast. The two pieces I’m missing are the tripod to hold up the light and something to hold up the bedsheet. I have no idea what to look for when it comes to these so any help would be greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![WildEdges](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/wildedges/32/30506_2.png) [@WildEdges](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/WildEdges)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/2 "2024-06-17T20:56:34Z")
Have you calculated how long the battery will run the light? 175W is a big power drain for a battery. You could run 20W UV bulbs instead and get a much longer run time, or even go for LED lights and use a much smaller USB power pack. ---
**Author:** ![kevintoo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/kevintoo/32/23911_2.png) [@kevintoo](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kevintoo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/3 "2024-06-17T23:11:56Z")
You don’t need anything special to hold up the sheet. A simple cord tied between two trees will work. You don’t need a special tripod either. Just use your imagination and find a way to hold the light at the height you require. A simple pole stuck in the ground can work as long as you can clip the light to it. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@mr\_kaiser](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mr_kaiser)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/4 "2024-06-18T00:06:41Z")
Im haven’t done any proper calculations yet but I’m hoping to get at least 4 hours of power from it before I recharge it. I made sure to pick a marine battery too since they are made to run for longer periods of time even without external support. I’m not a fan of the UV lights mainly cause I’d have to be sitting there looking at everything through the blue light which I find annoying. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@mr\_kaiser](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mr_kaiser)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/5 "2024-06-18T00:14:08Z")
I would use the tree method with the sheet sometimes but a lot of areas I’ll be trapping in are parking lots in provincial parks or treeless openings. The only reason I’m wondering about the tripod is because I know MV lights get very hot and heard they can melt plastic, so I don’t know what I’d use to make a DIY tripod, especially when it comes to having the light actually attach to it. ---
**Author:** ![cthawley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cthawley/32/1445_2.png) [@cthawley](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cthawley)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/6 "2024-06-18T13:16:53Z")
If you just need to hold up a sheet where there aren’t any existing supports, you could consider a photo backdrop kit/stands. Cheap ones are \<$40 on amazon, and they’ll probably do the job. I doubt they would hold up in high winds though. Depending on how you’re doing this, you could probably also rig something up by tying a cord at one end to your vehicle and a portable pole at the other end (beach umbrella? clothesline support?). Again, wouldn’t be much in high wind, but in calm conditions, jury-rigging something shouldn’t be too hard. ---
**Author:** ![teellbee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/teellbee/32/15498_2.png) [@teellbee](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/teellbee)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/7 "2024-06-18T13:27:08Z")
Yes, I agree that such a hot light would be safer on a legitimate light stand. I used to have a work light stand I got at either Costco or Home Depot. It was not expensive at the time. The height was adjustable and - except for 1 part - it was very sturdy. There was a tiny connector that was basically made out of tin-foil, but duct tape held it together pretty well after that failed. Here are some ideas: [https://www.amazon.com/work-light-stand/s?k=work+light+stand](https://www.amazon.com/work-light-stand/s?k=work+light+stand) These seem pretty affordable: [https://www.homedepot.com/p/GT-LITE-54-in-Telescoping-Tripod-with-Universal-Fast-Latch-GT-TP-54/308664779](https://www.homedepot.com/p/GT-LITE-54-in-Telescoping-Tripod-with-Universal-Fast-Latch-GT-TP-54/308664779) [https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Aluminum-Photography-Tripod/dp/B074VNRN5X/ref=sr\_1\_1\_ffob\_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KAUID9QYKjSogWvGMbpwc3PnJ6AUwJsy5zSPfHSq-FBokFTq7ApGxZ8uwTfAw0XCW6BzM53NP4HqVRyrvB5kir9gPBtEv7EEVE-WON4CesqiP4Ynz7f5oSJESTsjBhZQugP8ZBOk2fkPFf5zA8WHuUYjO9klAS-vJyNnxjIUcaUISsIuJv9uyEolJS6VPm2s73o12fbXITQSfOztUagGQysdP-BbJX249pmkxmxGde4uqNG1oYz4vW8BZAqCDQeqhigUuP-KzdNDfE4mxXqLYDu\_wsa4ZyaOcYbwvqRi1gU.HrGJRJ4j-SuYQ25cBv0vwdxFBYWSrw\_ey8S-pyApz6M&dib\_tag=se&keywords=work+light+stand&qid=1718717092&sr=8-1-spons&sp\_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Aluminum-Photography-Tripod/dp/B074VNRN5X/ref=sr_1_1_ffob_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KAUID9QYKjSogWvGMbpwc3PnJ6AUwJsy5zSPfHSq-FBokFTq7ApGxZ8uwTfAw0XCW6BzM53NP4HqVRyrvB5kir9gPBtEv7EEVE-WON4CesqiP4Ynz7f5oSJESTsjBhZQugP8ZBOk2fkPFf5zA8WHuUYjO9klAS-vJyNnxjIUcaUISsIuJv9uyEolJS6VPm2s73o12fbXITQSfOztUagGQysdP-BbJX249pmkxmxGde4uqNG1oYz4vW8BZAqCDQeqhigUuP-KzdNDfE4mxXqLYDu_wsa4ZyaOcYbwvqRi1gU.HrGJRJ4j-SuYQ25cBv0vwdxFBYWSrw_ey8S-pyApz6M&dib_tag=se&keywords=work+light+stand&qid=1718717092&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) ---
**Author:** ![mr\_kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@mr\_kaiser](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mr_kaiser)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/8 "2024-06-18T14:25:19Z")
Thank you, a photo backdrop stand is pretty much exactly what I was looking for, I just didn’t know what they were called. I agree with the high winds but it’s usually not windy at all when I go out at night unless there’s a storm coming, in which case I wouldn’t be going moth trapping. ---
**Author:** ![jgw\_atx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jgw_atx/32/3205_2.png) [@jgw\_atx](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jgw_atx)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/9 "2024-06-18T14:30:12Z")
I adapted an old tripod that used to hold a halogen work lamp. A small piece of sheet metal to fasten the mogul bulb base onto the top of the tripod. The sheet can go almost anywhere - the side of a car/truck, a rope tied between two trees, or a purpose-built stand. Here is a reasonably-priced product that is designed for this purpose: [https://www.instarinnovations.com/product-page/portable-collapsable-collecting-setup](https://www.instarinnovations.com/product-page/portable-collapsable-collecting-setup) If you’re on Facebook, there is a group that has a lot of info/ideas on this topic: [Entomological Traps](https://www.facebook.com/groups/3921655927931470/) Recent setup at a camping trip in Texas, using a 175w MV light: ![IMG_1376](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/4/8/48c3d642c0602ce2cdf802d61a705937c54ea697.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mr\_kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@mr\_kaiser](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mr_kaiser)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/10 "2024-06-18T17:54:09Z")
Thanks, I’m gonna order the one from home Depot. ---
**Author:** ![inhalethewild](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/inhalethewild/32/33855_2.png) [@inhalethewild](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/inhalethewild)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 5:55am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/11 "2024-06-19T05:55:15Z")
I use a portable clothing rack from walmart ($20). Cheap, light, and multi-purposed. I usually clip the sheet onto it, in order to avoid wind movement ---
**Author:** ![joerich](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/joerich/32/17371_2.png) [@joerich](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/joerich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/12 "2024-06-19T20:52:09Z")
175 watt / 12 volt = ~ 15 amps \* 4 hours = 60 amp-hours for light / 0.85 % inverter efficiency = ~70 amp-hours from battery. Most inverters that I am familiar with stop working at about 10 or 10.5 volts so you don’t damage your battery. Good luck - sounds fun and something I have been wanting to try. ---
**Author:** ![valt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/df705f/32.png) [@valt](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/valt)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/13 "2024-06-19T22:46:47Z")
I use a piece of lightweight drainage pipe that’s sold in 10ft sections in the U.S. – it’s easy to cut to a convenient length and much cheaper than PVC pipe. You can run a piece of rope through the pipe to suspend it (with no droop or gathering towards the middle) or use plastic chain and a couple of carabiner clips so no need to tie and untie it. Drape a sheet directly over the pipe once it is suspended, OR fold the top of the sheet over and sew it in advance to form a tube, then insert the pipe and chain through it. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@mr\_kaiser](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mr_kaiser)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/14 "2024-06-20T02:43:06Z")
I just got the light running today and did the calculations. At full brightness i’ll get around 9 hours of light with my battery. I also found that the socket has pre-drilled holes for screws at the bottom so it might just be easier to screw it into a piece of wood and set it on the ground sheet. I’ll be doing my first hunt Monday night at a local forest so I’ll see how it goes. I also got the stand that @jgw_atx recommended since it seems good for the price and even has the water things to hold it steady. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/2X/7/7831452cf7f0d653ff1ffd34176334b7ef1b6a17.png) [@system](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/moth-trap-tripod/52460/15 "2024-08-19T02:43:47Z")
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