Good lights for working under a car...

[cajunfirehawk]

I have the usual led stick lights and those 500watt halogen lights that heats up under the car like an oven but I'm looking for 1 or more good light(s) to work under my car with, those halogen flood light style cast a lot of shadows and blinds me at times, any new lights to work under my car with?

Almost thought about rigging up a dual tube 4 ft fluorescent w/6500k bulbs in it...one on wheels maybe to shine UP!

 

[Drew_flux]

SO has a "under bonnet led light". Its about 3-4' long and about as thick as a fluorescent. It also has hooks to mount to the bonnet. I cant find it on the webpage, someone will chime in though.

 

[bacarl]

I like B-RAD77's solution. See post #19. I tried to copy the photo over but it's giant.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

I'm _still_ waiting for my overhead lighting in our shop, and with the dark, dank, depressing days of winter setting in, it's hard to get much light, even with the doors open. I am in the process of re-doing the brakes on our inherited 68 Cadillac, and it's in the middle of the shop, so not much light gets there, no matter what. I do have one of those stand-mounted dual 300-watt lights that I set up a distance away from the car (the heat now would be welcome, but the space around the car is limited at the moment). It provided some fair amount of light, but I also had to climb under the dash to R&R the brake booster. I used one of those head-mounted led lights. It worked great! It is the first time I've really used the thing, so there's some more adjustment needed, but it did work pretty well.

You say you have a big halogen light? How about painting a piece of plastic white and using it to reflect the light from that big-a$$ light under the car? I've got just such a piece, and will try it next time I'm out in the shop. Light's getting to be a problem now that it's getting too cold to open the doors.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

 

[kerryt1]

Been thinking of trying one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T4AEGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Rechargeable LED
Folds / swivels
magnetic + hook

 

[JimVonBaden]

Been thinking of trying one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T4AEGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Rechargeable LED
Folds / swivels
magnetic + hook

This looks good. Don't bother with the cheap LED lights, get a good one. There is a mile of difference between them. Any hot light like halogen or incandesent bulbs are a pain, hot, and dangerous around flamables and your bare skin.

I'm fortunate and have a lot of florescent lights I used for shooting video. It is bright and cool, but a bit bulky. I use it for a lot of reflected light, and a Bluepoint rechargable LED handheld for location lighting under a vehicle.

Jim

 

[Jagmandave]

Are there any 110V plug in corded LED worklights?

 

[Half Baked]

This is what I use, cheap, portable and if I need the hand truck, I just cut the wire tie off.
Works great under a lift.

 

[Nova_Guy]

Are there any 110V plug in corded LED worklights?

Yes Craftsman sells them.

 

[Arnie7]

I Use The Under Hood 4ft LED Spring Loaded hood holder, Run it off my jump box ,
Works Good , not as bright as florescent ,they need a super bright led set up,
a 110v set up would work , seen any ??
Arnie

 

[6768rogues]

This is what I use, cheap, portable and if I need the hand truck, I just cut the wire tie off.
Works great under a lift.

I like that idea.

 

[Mgraves235]

I like the old school metal hooded drop lights, but I use the 100 watt equivalent fluorescent bulbs in a "bright white" color temp.

I much prefer it to LED light when it comes to details, but it's not as harsh as, nor does it get hot like the old incandescent bulbs did.

 

[padroo]

I work as a millwright in a steel mill and a helmet mounted or head mounted light is the way to go when (trouble lights) are just, well trouble. Have you ever worked inside of a door panel on a black car in a garage with bad lighting. If you have you will understand the meaning of frustration. I recommend one of these high quality Streamlights. Don't go cheap, buy a quality light that works every time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PRKS3W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BFBOB]

CFL. Put a 23W CFL in an ordinary droplight. Sylvania makes some that have an overall plastic envelope, so when (not if) you break it, it won't shower tiny glass daggers all over everywhere. Twice the light of a 75W Rough Service, and it won't cauterize your arm when (not if) you touch it to the bulb shield.
Check for fit. Not all CFL's will fit all droplights.

Second the motion for headlights, too. They look like toys, but really have their place. I find them most useful for crawling around attics when I really need all four appendages unencumbered, and wiring panels in dark corners. Holding flashlight in teeth gets old really quick.

 

[Spam16v]

Bounce light. Love it

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I think I like this one the best, thanks Half Baked!

And the BRAD post about lights at baseboard level is great too!

Thanks Guys!