Battery Powered Trouble Lights?

[Bull]

I have an incandescent Craftsman trouble light on a 25' reel that I use for working in/under my car. I hate it. First of all, the cord is too short in many cases, and it is always tripping me up. Furthermore, the damn light gets so hot, I worry about igniting flammable materials, and have burned my damn skin more than once while trying to use it in the cramped spaces under the dash.

I see they have fluorescent and LED trouble lights that run on rechargeable batteries...are any of them any good? I tend to lack confidence in battery lights as they inevitable seem to drain quickly and the batteries are expensive when they need to be replaced.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have the typical trouble light,( they don't call them trouble for nothing) and a fluorescent one to.

The one I like the best is the Dewalt fluorescent that came in my drill recip saw combo.

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=16879

 

[stevejh82]

A lot of guys around here swear by the craftsman 19.2v fluorescent light. If you already have a battery, the light is pretty cheap.

 

[Bull]

A lot of guys around here swear by the craftsman 19.2v fluorescent light. If you already have a battery, the light is pretty cheap.

Hmm...I actually do not have any C-man battery powered tools. I do have a Ridgid 18v lithium drywall gun, so I could use that brand I guess.

But are the 18v rechargeables preferable over, say, one of these LED jobbers?

http://cgi.ebay.com/78-LED-Cordless...in_0?hash=item5882f7a97d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[tcianci]

I started using CFL's in my standard trouble light years ago, plenty of light, somewhat more durable than a non rough service bulb and no more burns!

 

[Bull]

I did have a CFL in a different, non-reel light a while back. Then I dropped the damn thing, with the shield off, and the bulb broke. I imagined the Mercury seeping into my body's tissues as I cleaned up the debris....

I started using CFL's in my standard trouble light years ago, plenty of light, somewhat more durable than a non rough service bulb and no more burns!

 

[stevejh82]

I would say that unless you are going to wear the gun out doing drywall, that would be the way to go, if they have a fluorescent light. The Li batteries have more charge cycles in them, and they don't dim as they lose charge.

 

[fordracing200]

I use a 19.2 craftsman flourecent and a snap on plastic drop light which is excellent because it doesn't get hot and has no metal cage to fall off of it or break.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...Z230370555521QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
same one shown^ got it at autozone for like 10 bucks. Best part is it has no cord, just a male end, you plug your lead cord into it so its as long as you want with no plug 10 feet from you to catch **** and pull your project over.

 

[fordracing200]

A lot of guys around here swear by the craftsman 19.2v fluorescent light. If you already have a battery, the light is pretty cheap.

I do also, but its too big or wont sit right due to its shape for some applications so a lead light is also a nessecity. I usually go to the 19.2 light first, and the drop light only if the 19.2 light isn't going to fit

 

[Fireball027]

I have used the Black & Decker Bright Bar. It is rechargeable, last over 5 hours and is very quick to charge. You can get them for like $30 at walmart or home depot (i think). It has 27 bright white led's. Use it all the time at the shop, and for 30 bucks you cant go wrong.

 

[jshillin]

I have a rechargable trouble light that dad got me for Christmas. I can't remember the brand name, but it has served me quite well and has pretty good battery life.

 

[fatfillup]

I have 2 rechargable LED lights. Both have batteries built in. I got one at NAPA for about $30 and works well in the shop and has a magnet built into the base which is handy. I don't think it would stand up to cold weather so I have a better one ($100) in my service truck which I really like. Brand is Astro. About 4 years old and probably about worn out but it lives a tough life in the truck.

That said, if you already have a battery/tool system, I"d buy the light that fits your existing batteries.

 

[Frank Elson]

I have a plug in, with cable, it's 30 years old so no-name left, uses one bulb a year.
Also a halogen bulb 12volt light that runs off the cigarette lighter, or with an adaptor, off a car battery - from Halfords a UK version of (I think) Autozone - again 20 years old, never replaced a bulb yet.
Also an LED worklight, rechargable, a couple of years old, no problems thus far.
Also an LED headtorch, from Ring, a UK manufacturer/distributor of electrical gear. Takes ordinary drug-store batteries.

I tend to reach for the headtorch first off these days. The light's always where I need it as I turn my head. Nice and bright, and no bother moving it about for the best position like the other three.

 

[Vulturej]

I have had the CM rechargeable 35 LED light for 4 years, I had to replace it once due to it being crushed. I like the performance and durability, I get about 4 hours of use before it needs to be recharged.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03473904000P?vName=Tools&keyword=led+light

 

[peterp]

Unfortunately I don't know if they can still be found, but the rechargeable light described here (http://www.jems.com/products/product_reviews/09/megabrite_led_light.html#) is absolutely great. The light bar retracts into the body so it's only 7" tall (can fit in glove compartment), it is very bright, lasts about 7 hours, charges quickly, and the body is oblong shaped so it lies flat on the floor (unlike the round ones that can roll around), very high quality construction, and I think it was only about $20. The is really one of my favorite tools. I can not for the life of me remember where I bought it, and haven't been able to find one online, but I would by several more if I could find them.

 

[66HertzClone]

I was given a couple of lights the other day, one is rechargable, the others are corded. I have used the cordless a few times during the week and I really like it. I intend to hand the reel version in my garage this weekend provided I get the time.

Details here

These are very bright and come with a couple of hangers for different situations.

Details here

 

[peterp]

Unfortunately I don't know if they can still be found, but the rechargeable light described here (http://www.jems.com/products/product_reviews/09/megabrite_led_light.html#) is absolutely great. The light bar retracts into the body so it's only 7" tall (can fit in glove compartment), it is very bright, lasts about 7 hours, charges quickly, and the body is oblong shaped so it lies flat on the floor (unlike the round ones that can roll around), very high quality construction, and I think it was only about $20. The is really one of my favorite tools. I can not for the life of me remember where I bought it, and haven't been able to find one online, but I would by several more if I could find them.

I should clarify for this one that it's not bright enough to use for a significant task where broad lighting is needed, but because it's so compact and convenient it's the one I grab 90% of the time for quick tasks. It's handy to have around, but in no way a replacement for a primary light.

 

[Toolhorder]

Get a rechargable Streamlight and forgot about it. All the techs I work with have them. Drop lights are yesterdays news..

 

[Bull]

Hertz, how much does that top one go for?

 

[Bull]

Get a rechargable Streamlight and forgot about it. All the techs I work with have them. Drop lights are yesterdays news..

Which kind?

http://www.streamlight.com/product/default.aspx?hid=2

 

[SteveG]

I use the SO and ADT LED units below. I love 'em!

http://www.foxruntools.com/132ledcordlessunderhoodlgt.aspx

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=2441&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[scooby074]

I have a 18v Dewalt fluorescent like mentioned earlier. Last a long time, and pretty tough. I have alot of other DW 18V XRP tools so i had batteries, made the decision a no brainer.

The Cliplight rechargeable like Hertz posted are good too. http://www.cliplight.com/automotive/products.php?pageID=Product_Details&productID=194&catID=11I like the 32 LED models. Worth carries one that i believe is a rebrand of the cliplights.

I also have a Mac corded fluorescent that is pretty good, but the cord is annoying, and i need to replace the lens.

 

[66HertzClone]

Hertz, how much does that top one go for?

I don't know, a rep for the company dropped 4 different lights off for me this week. The ones pictured, a non-reel version of the corded light, and a handy light with a 12" long bendable neck with a single very bright LED on the end. Very handy when trying to check belt condition on some of the tightly packed transverse engine vehicles. I'll poke around and see if I can find a vendor.

 

[LGMechanical]

I have this Snap-On 30 LED light. I can't ever go back to a cheapo light after owning this

 

[Rigmaster]

Bull, I 'll second the use of CFL's in those old-style corded drop lights with the metal cage. If you have problems with the standard CFL bulbs breaking, they do make rough service CFL's, which AFAIK are just normal CFL's with a plastic coating on the glass to help keep them from breaking, and to at least keep them from shattering when they do break.

Rough service CFL's are kind of hard to find, but I know a friend of mine recently bought a box of 10 from homedepot.com and split them up amongst several other friends. Cost about $8-9 per bulb.

 

[scooby074]

Hertz, how much does that top one go for?

Similar to the one posted, but with 3 leds is around $80 http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/clp113303.html
The 32 LED is around 60-70 IIRC. locally

 

[SteveG]

Fox Run is having a sale on lights,,, worth a look....

http://www.foxruntools.com/cordlessworklights.aspx

 

[bry@n]

I like Streamlights. I have the Strions and the SLxp's. I run them both in the truck and garage.

The strions I got for $100 and the SLxp's I got from work for free. They both use the same power cords. In the truck, I have the 12v cord for them. Really are great and rechargable. I also have Surefire lights as well. They are hard to beat but very expensive.

I also have a light from every tool manufacturuer. The light from the Milwaukee 12v kit is great and my goto now. The dewalt snake head light is great for positioning light where you want it. The Snap On light with the 18v kit is nice as well, but limited.

 

[kwhitelaw]

I LOVE my blue point l.e.d light, cant find a pic on the website, buts its the little blu fold up one with 20 or so l.e.d's... easy to position, holds a decent charge, plenty of light for under dash work, has a hook to hang from..

doesnt put out as much light as some others listed here, but fits my needs and isnt bulky, or expensive.

kevin

 

[bry@n]

I saw a tech recently with a fold up led that was magnetic. Anybody know where I could find one of those.