Collecting moths in places not near home - how to bring equipment?

Hello, when I fly to other countries in Europe I take a small USB light powered by a powerbank. The results are sometimes surprisingly good.

I also sometimes take a mercury vapor light in my checked luggage with a compact set made of a white umbrella and tulle.

I'm facing this dilemma myself.

I drive pretty much everywhere in the states if I want to light. However, if I ever decide to travel internationally, how am I gonna bring my stuff?

First things first, you'll need a powerbank. Maximum Wh (watt hours, how many watts it can run for an hour before it dies) you can take domestically and internationally seems like it's the same, 100Wh, although I hear and read accounts where most of the time it seems like TSA/security doesn't particularly care as long as it's properly labeled and has all the factory stickers and whatnot, as long as it's under 200Wh. A lot of domestic airlines here in the states do state in their rules that 160Wh powerbanks are allowed.

So there's the first power solution: a 160Wh powerbank. I'm personally thinking about getting something like the Westinghouse 160S for international travel.

Otherwise, you could do something like this:

My current setup is two separate sheets. One is powered by a generator and the other is powered by an inverter - I use power tool batteries and have an inverter. Most power tool companies have inverters for their batteries. If you have a collection of power tool batteries (which a lot of us Americans seem to), then I would recommend buying an inverter and just bringing a couple power tool batteries. I've heard TSA doesn't care much if it's recognizable like that with all the stickers and branding.

Lastly, you could just buy a 12v motorcycle or even a lawnmower battery (you can get small lawnmower ones at Home Depot or Lowe's) and a 12v inverter. This is the most basic, barebones, least research method. It's also the most powerful. With this, you could bring and power your MV for a couple hours. I know people that do this instead of using a generator and they do just fine.

Now what about lights? You said you can't travel with your MV bulbs, so I'm assuming this is because it's just something huge that wouldn't be powered by a powerbank. You CAN travel both domestically and internationally with MV and ballasts. If you don't end up doing the 12v battery method, then I'd recommend the entolight. It's like LepiLED but cheaper, and made here in the states. It's made by someone from the USDA, and I've only heard great things about it. I just ordered one and it should be here before the weekend so I can test it out!

Otherwise, I personally use bug zapper replacement bulbs just in a regular lamp. This is cheap, easy, and you can find the bulbs in a lot of stores.

If you have any more questions feel free to message me

Evelyn