Cheap Underhood Light Bar

[aleccolin]

Harbor Freight (Braun) underhood light plus Bayco mount = Great success

HF light with coupon $30
https://www.harborfreight.com/845-Lumen-Underhood-Rechargeable-Work-Light-63990.html

Bayco mounts on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HWQ4GPA/?tag=atomicindus08-20 $27

Total Cost $57

Next best option is the Bayco SLR-2120 for $89 on Amazon. I like this better.

For those wondering I have several cars with aluminum hoods, magnets no bueno. Also the bungee cord suspension on the HF light makes it not want to stay pointed in the direction you want.

 

[MattT]

Bayco mounts on Amazon.

Thanks for that I can easily make a 12V light with aluminum channel & LED strips but hadn't been able to think of a good way to attach it to the hood.

 

[aleccolin]

Glad I could help, I was surprised they sell the mount separately. Should be nice for detailing interiors as well.

 

[MattT]

Should be nice for detailing interiors as well.

Never heard of anyone using an underhood light for interior work before. Definitely worth a try

 

[kctyphoon]

I believe i posted this exact combo as a suggestion not long ago, after finding the bracket available as a separate purchase on amazon... I’m glad to see the brackets that actually hold the light fixture work with the HF light for sure..

i have the newer Neiko lights now. Underhood and the handheld. Underhood is $89 i think.

Both great lights for the money. I have the older hf light too. The mounting options are a joke. The old light is also a joke. Not worth the money, even at the $30 it was.. i hope the new version is a big improvement. (Seems to be). For anyone that already owns the HF under hood lights, the bracket he posted is well worth the money. It makes using the light, and life, that much easier.

Here’s the neiko
Neiko 40447A Rechargeable Underhood Work Light (202 SMD LED Bulbs, 1,200 Lumens Max, 8,000 mAh Li-ion Battery, 2 Brightness Modes) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTXC016/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The newer version of this (what you get now) is also a little better than the old (had that too). The bracket is much better, and the light is even thinner. Dollar for dollar, you’d be hard pressed to find a light as nice as this for less than $100

Cant tell ya off hand, but i think the internal battery on the neiko is a bit larger than the HF light. But as long as the NEWER HF version has a good output, your combo is worth it. The bracket alone is worth the $30..

I barely use the ones i have, and I’m still having a hard time NOT buying the Milwaukee.

This is the older Neiko on high

 

[aleccolin]

The next thing I want to try is taking apart the HF light to see what battery is actually in it, and then finding a way to make it swappable or just increase the capacity. The best thing about the Braun work lights they sell now is that they use standard button top 18650 batteries, makes it really convenient.

 

[jsaw]

I made on by using 12 volt LED strips. I attatched them to a couple PVC porch railing pieces left over. Then added a ouple alligator clamps to connect to the battery. It cost $18

 

[boostin20v]

The LED design and less than 900 lumen output just didn't seem worth it when I was looking at it in the store. Are you pleased with the output?

 

[aleccolin]

The light output is good for 90% of things, I’ll still use a stick light to get into nooks and crannies, but yeah plenty of light imo.


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[phule]

I'm cheap, I use a 14 dollar led shop light from job lot works great. Needs to be plugged in.

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[txvwnut]

Never heard of anyone using an underhood light for interior work before. Definitely worth a try

I use that same light when I’m doing interior work. Lays on the floor facing up for headliners then from the rain gutters when doing the rest.

 

[ER70S-2]

The next thing I want to try is taking apart the HF light to see what battery is actually in it, and then finding a way to make it swappable or just increase the capacity. The best thing about the Braun work lights they sell now is that they use standard button top 18650 batteries, makes it really convenient.

Have you figured out how to get it apart and add another battery yet? I like the light, but the capacity *****, especially considering that it can't charge and be used at the same time.

 

[VinceG]

Have you figured out how to get it apart and add another battery yet? I like the light, but the capacity *****, especially considering that it can't charge and be used at the same time.

i can have mine plugged in and working. it is the newer yellow one.

 

[kctyphoon]

Have you figured out how to get it apart and add another battery yet? I like the light, but the capacity *****, especially considering that it can't charge and be used at the same time.

It's probably just a heat shrinked set of 18650 batteries. I can't imagine it being hard to do. Just back out the screws and the whole light probably comes apart.

The neiko works while charging if anyone was curious. The newer version is really nice, great for the home guy and light pro use, but wouldn't call it up to everyday shop abuse.

If anyone was up for a project - I'm sure someone could easily wire that HF light to say a Dewalt or Milwaukee power source, and have replaceable packs. Wouldn't look pretty, but I'm sure it would work. Maybe even make that light brighter..

 

[ER70S-2]

Nah, you can take out every screw and it still doesn't come apart. Something must be glued together or something. I have no problem strategically cutting the thing to get it apart. I just want to know that I'm cutting it in the right spot.

 

[ER70S-2]

i can have mine plugged in and working. it is the newer yellow one.

Yes, mine also works when plugged in, but the charger can't keep up and it eventually dies. It does extend the run time, but it does not enable it to remain on high indefinitely.

 

[nate_g_2003]

Never heard of anyone using an underhood light for interior work before. Definitely worth a try

I use that same light when I’m doing interior work. Lays on the floor facing up for headliners then from the rain gutters when doing the rest.

As a former upfitter for police and emergency vehicles, this was one of the most common uses for underhood lights. I'd spend hours and days sitting in the front seats wiring radios, sirens, and light controllers. And they would also do double duty for trunk/rear installs, like in this attached pic.

 

[ER70S-2]

Okay, I figured out how they come apart. You first have to find the heavier end of the light. Once you determine that, you just roll back the hexagonal-shaped rubber cover on the heavy end to expose the screws.

The battery in mine is only 2000mAh. There's some circuitry attached to the battery, but it should be possible to swap it out for a better battery. You could probably add a second battery in the other end of the light, but I haven't taken that end apart yet to see if there's room for one.

 

[CoogarXR]

Can the new Braun light be used while it's plugged in/charging? That's my only beef with the old one. Once it dies, you have to recharge it and unplug before you can use it again. Pretty dumb in my opinion.

 

[acer66]

Excuse my ignorance but is this light installed permanently?

 

[kctyphoon]

Excuse my ignorance but is this light installed permanently?

No.. its a temporary work light. Depending on model they mount differently, either by hooks, magnets, or a spring loaded bar that can clamp right onto the hood of the car. Its just a better light to use over a drop light, flashlight, ect.. it can light up the entire (or most of) the engine bay.

 

[acer66]

No.. its a temporary work light. Depending on model they mount differently, either by hooks, magnets, or a spring loaded bar that can clamp right onto the hood of the car. Its just a better light to use over a drop light, flashlight, ect.. it can light up the entire (or most of) the engine bay.

 

[silverpanther]

Exactly what I need. Curious though if this can also be used under the car.