Under Lift light

[grabeb]

What have others done here? I've noticed when I have a car stowed on my lift, which is 90% of the time, it's pretty dark under the lift. Lift goes up to 6'9" under the ramps when all the way up and if I try to work under there on anything other than the car on the lift, it's fairly dark. Rest of garage is pretty well lit up with 6 UFO lights up high and I'm adding some other lights over the garage door, but it'll still be dark under there.

I've added a power strip, under the ramp by the ram, so I have easy access to power. I also just added lift lights to light up the top side of the ramps, so while working on a car it isn't so dark. Now I need to contend with the under side shining down.

I'm looking at linkable LED tube style lights, but want to see if other good options. Thought about LED tape lights as well, just worry if I use them too much they'll burn out. Kind of thought about putting these on a smart plug, so I can turn on/off with timer or by voice.

Here's one option I've been eyeing, just have to insure they will clear the cables and such.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PG3RLH7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Poolshark314]

A lot of the members' ideas are posted in this thread, including lighting ideas:

Lift modifications Thread- Lets see them!

In order to make sure to give credit to the original posters and owners of the mods I will be posting here, I will be adding links to the threads/posts or sites where I found the mods. I will also be adding quotes from those places so you can click on the owners quote and go straight to their...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[kabinenroller]

I used LED linkable fixtures plugged into the power strip I installed on one of the posts, (fed from an overhead receptacle) I attached three magnets to each fixture using a strong glue, the fixtures mount to the underside of the ramps.
They can be removed in seconds and used for under car lighting when I am servicing a car using the lift.

 

[grabeb]

A lot of the members' ideas are posted in this thread, including lighting ideas:

Lift modifications Thread- Lets see them!

In order to make sure to give credit to the original posters and owners of the mods I will be posting here, I will be adding links to the threads/posts or sites where I found the mods. I will also be adding quotes from those places so you can click on the owners quote and go straight to their...

www.garagejournal.com

Going through that, but it's 11 pages at least, so a bit cumbersome. So far page 5 and haven't seen much, but I'll keep going. Thanks!

 

[grabeb]

A lot of the members' ideas are posted in this thread, including lighting ideas:

Lift modifications Thread- Lets see them!

In order to make sure to give credit to the original posters and owners of the mods I will be posting here, I will be adding links to the threads/posts or sites where I found the mods. I will also be adding quotes from those places so you can click on the owners quote and go straight to their...

www.garagejournal.com

I think I should clarify....going through that really makes me appreciate my lift that much more. Lots of people complaining about heavy ramps, mine came with aluminum. I also can't believe all the stuff people do to support their two posts and what they load on them. Again, makes me appreciate my 4 post! There are some neat things, finally on page 7 I think!

 

[Wrench97]

 

[grabeb]

Cool light but not what I'm looking for. I'm looking to light the under side up. Similar to a traditional ceiling light

 

[inphx]

Yep, I need to remember this for the what should i do before pouring foundation threads. There was a thread before: in floor

 

[grabeb]

Yep, I need to remember this for the what should i do before pouring foundation threads. There was a thread before: in floor

Saw that, but still doesn't light up underside from "ceiling" down.

I do think it's an interesting idea and I didn't read enough to see how it went, but from my experience in not sure I'd like. Yes, it would light the underside when working on a car, but what would worry me is looking down to find a tool, when something drops, getting into a rolling cabinet, etc and being blinded. I've now had lights in the railing to light up underside of car for a few days and that is soo nice. I now just need to make up for lost light from ceiling down.

I think it'd help when lift up at maximum for stowed car, so space under is lit up and usable. It'd also be useful when working on car and lift up about 4-1/2 to 5' ft in air and you need a tool from rolling cart, etc.

 

[inphx]

A bright floor helps

 

[grabeb]

A bright floor helps

Agreed that will help

 

[pbon]

A few people have put LED tape lights under the ramps. I guess the power would go through the hydraulic/air flexible conduit. My ceiling lights are on both sides of the lift rather than directly above it and I have a smaller car up on it usually. Plus my lift goes to 7’ and I have a bump up in the ceiling over it, so my lights mounted at 10’ on either side are not totally blocked.

 

[Poolshark314]

I think I should clarify....going through that really makes me appreciate my lift that much more. Lots of people complaining about heavy ramps, mine came with aluminum. I also can't believe all the stuff people do to support their two posts and what they load on them. Again, makes me appreciate my 4 post! There are some neat things, finally on page 7 I think!

Sorry that thread wasn't more helpful. I thought about printing a mount for my underhood light so I could use it under the lift as well

 

[grabeb]

A few people have put LED tape lights under the ramps. I guess the power would go through the hydraulic/air flexible conduit. My ceiling lights are on both sides of the lift rather than directly above it and I have a smaller car up on it usually. Plus my lift goes to 7’ and I have a bump up in the ceiling over it, so my lights mounted at 10’ on either side are not totally blocked.

I'm considering the led tape, that's essentially what the lights to light up the top side of ramps or underside of car are and they are nice and do an excellent job of lighting up the underside of car, just not sure they are as bright as I will want for the underside. I also worry about longevity if they run a lot.

My ceiling is high and vaulted, so I can't just place on a flat plane. The lift takes a HUGE footprint up and thus when a car on it, it blocks soooo much light. I like pulling my table saw or workbench out under the lift to work and though the rest of the garage is very well lit, just too many shadows. Then on the one runway there are all the cables and ram take up lots of real estate, so have to make certain whatever I go with doesn't interfere.....I'm sure that's everyone's issue when doing this.

 

[grabeb]

Sorry that thread wasn't more helpful. I thought about printing a mount for my underhood light so I could use it under the lift as well

I'm not sure I'd say it wasn't helpful. I don't think I've finished looking through and there are some neat mods. I think I might have finally started to get to some light setups, just need to get back to it. I'm hoping I didn't run into another snag last night. Several months ago, I mounted an outlet strip up under the runway with all the cables and hydraulics as it was closest run to power. I got the lift lights for the top of ramps for Christmas from my wife and I'm looking at how I'm routing the wiring and such. Realized plugging in and leaving plugged in might start being an issue when lift goes to the ground. So now I'm looking for angled plug adapters. I was hoping to put the underside lights on a smart plug , maybe even these topside lights, but I'm not sure I'll have clearance without getting creative! Third world problems I suppose!

 

[grabeb]

A bright floor helps

What is your flooring? That's another thing I'm trying to figure out. Looks nice and like the C3 as well!!! We have a 73 Red convertible!

 

[kbeefy]

I found that my underhood light will reach the channels on most 4 post lifts.
I will often grab an Astro 40sl or 120SL and stick them to the lift for light.

I like the idea of linkable LED lights mounted under the lift pointing down, if they're magnetic they could be moved to where they provide the most light for the task at hand.

 

[inphx]

It is PEI5 strength Porcelain tile. it took many weekends to self lay 3200 sq ft.

As others will quickly point out slippery if wet (or lightly dusted) but its durable and cleans up easily.

 

[onsail]

I used the Amazon tube LED lights with the metal clip on fastener. I then bought some magnets with the 3M VHB adhesive. I put the adhesive side to the lift. My thinking is that would keep them in place. The magnets held the lights in place. Not a perfect solution, but TONS of light. I used magnets with swivel clips for cord management. Then a coil extension cord for the up and down free-play.

I also did the same on my 2 post for extra lighting.

 

[tig]

I started this thread a few weeks ago:

Under-lift, in-floor up-lighthing

Here's the layout: Two lifts: On the right, a 2-post and on the left, and in-floor scissor lift. Here's the question: Experience with my 4-post lift in my old workshop tells me I really want up-lighing under my lifts. I'm considering putting conduit in, as shown, and using waterproof...

www.garagejournal.com

In it, I think I found a great solution...