Work light

[crackers]

I'm after a work light, something to light up the shadowed places when working on the car. Not a trouble light which I define as something you'd use on the side of the road, but the portable light you have for work in the shed or under the carport.

For reference, my old one, recently deceased, was 240V, used a normal house globe (so you could vary the amount of light), had a baffle on one side so it didn't blind you and was small enough to hang under the mudguards or in the engine bay to light up those hard to get at places.

Seeing I work during the day with my shed open or under the carport, it needs to be able to banish shadows - ie, better than a humble torch. I need to be able to hang it from the body work and having a magnet would be a plus (not going to work on an alloy Landy though is it).

There are some nice ones in the shops but these are all battery powered. It seems to me that a rechargeable light could not be considered reliable in that it can easily choose to go flat when you need it. Similarly, if you leave the thing on charge while not using it, you're begging to burn out the battery - again, not reliable. I've yet to have any rechargeable unit that holds its charge if left unused. This wouldn't be an issue in a professional workshop where you're using them every day and can just put them on charge after work, but for an amateur who is in the shed on an irregular basis, it seems like a recipe for poor or no lighting when you need it. I'm happy to be convinced otherwise seeing there seem to be no other options.

However, my preference is for a 240V work light.

Any options that I should be aware of?
Any 'road tests' of units out there?

[Toxic_Avenger]

These work really well. make a great camping light to boot!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/321.jpg

But in the past I've had the type of unit you've describled- a 240V cable and a globe in a cage.
As for light, the newer LED offerings are way better than the old incandescent globes (which have a habit of blowing if you knock them about too much)

[crackers]

These work really well. make a great camping light to boot!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/321.jpg

But in the past I've had the type of unit you've describled- a 240V cable and a globe in a cage.
As for light, the newer LED offerings are way better than the old incandescent globes (which have a habit of blowing if you knock them about too much)


Those brutes look a good option.

I agree about the incandescent globes being fragile - they seem to be more fragile these days than in the old days when I rarely broke one, the current crop blow if you look at them. The coiled fluoro type are a lot stronger.

I hate to say it, but fleeBay is your friend. Not only is there a range of the the 240V units but I can get a dirt cheap, fluoro tube unit from a place just up the road from work. At $12, you wouldn't expect it to be great but it'd at least get me out of trouble while I investigate other options.

[Blknight.aus]

bunnings had 240v powered led worklights in the same form as more traditional halogen flood lights.

Brilliant 240V 20W Ranger Flood Light | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/brilliant-240v-20w-ranger-flood-light_p4320458)

I had a kit version of a similar one that had a detachable battery box and a 240v plug pack that clipped on in place of it so it could be used independent of mains power.

the rechargable version of it from jaycar Search sloar led worklight | Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/search'text=sloar+led+worklight&CSRFToken=1e5c2b72-661f-4925-9648-a033a925a412)
runs for 3 hours and but it begins to dim as the battery starts to go flat and is still workable for about half an hour but will run while its plugged into the mains charger. The jaycar range that comes up with the link has some lights Id consider to be very suitable to your need some are 12v some are 240v.

Of course the same model of lights are available from ebay but the quality could be questionable, probably fine for generic workshop use but I wouldnt trust them implicantly for field work.

[crackers]

There are a few of that sort of thing around Dave, though that one seems more expensive than some others (maybe I'm thinking eBay prices, no-one would accuse Bunnings of being expensive). They seem like a good option for general work, not suitable for tight work such as under a mudguard but I reckon one of them on the shelf would be a useful addition to the workshop, particularly for night work where overhead lights would be blocked by the vehicle. I'm thinking of putting one on my christmas list.

[bee utey]

I find the best work lights are the ones based around the length of the old 20W fluorescent tubes. I have two old model Burn-Brite lights in that size which have been converted to LED tubes of the equivalent size. One runs off 240V and the other has a pack of AA Eneloop rechargeables mounted where the ballast used to be and recharges off a 12V Ni-MH charger. My other work light is based around a 30W 90cm tube and is much more fragile although it had a neat bonnet hanger arrangement to keep it out of harms way. After numerous electrical failures it now runs a 90cm led tube in it and runs off 240V.

Burn Brite lights are still made for mining and industry and here is their LED version of my light:

Alpha Lite Compact | Burn Brite (http://www.burnbrite.com/products/alpha-lite-compact)

I've also recently spotted a Chinese supplier of 12V tube replacements in 30cm and 45cm sizes that you could run off a plug pack and encase in a clear plastic tube if needed. Being alloy and plastic they're hard to break by leaning on them but what they need is protection for the end caps against dropping them endways.

4 6W 1ft 1 5ft T8 LED Fluorescent Replacement Tubes Light DC 12V 24V 300 450mm | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161641802948?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&var=460623495801&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

[Bushie]

Why not put an LED globe in your old worklight ??

Martyn

[crackers]

Why not put an LED globe in your old worklight ??

Martyn

The cage on my old worklight needs rebuilding, no biggie, but there are problems inside too which led to intermittent operation. I could probably pull it apart and rebuild it but I'm no electrician so am saving those efforts till last. Good thought though.

[LandyAndy]

I have a rechargeable work lite.Its a Clik Bat light from Bunnings,opens up you can use one or both sides plus it has a torch.It also has a magnet and a hanging hook.Works well,the only thing I dont like is the switch goes thru a 4 stage cycle,ie 1 press=torch,2 press=1/2 bat,3 press full bat,4 press off.I you use the torch and its folded you press it 1 time and the torch goes off,however you cant see that the batt is on,next time you come to use it its flat!!!!
Would I buy more,i think so,cheap and bright.Deb has stolen it and keeps it in the house for power blackouts,very good for that,especialli if she hasnt used it for a torch and its flat:D:D:D:D:D:D:D.Around $40.
See here as others have them http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tool-time/204009-bat-light.html
Andrew

[cjc_td5]

Or one of these?

Arlec 2 In 1 27 LED Utility Torch | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-2-in-1-27-led-utility-torch_p4410388)

Less than $10, has magnetic base and a hook and runs on 3 AAA batteries so you don't need to worry about recharging it, just replace the batteries when needed (better for casual use).

I have a couple of them and find them great when working under the car as you can just stick them to a chassis rail etc. Biggest danger is leaving it there and driving off with it still attached and turned on!

Cheers,
Chris

[Blinky]

A couple of easy/practical/workable options - images attached

Make A 120 LED Work light (http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-A-120-LED-Work-light/)

Ez 12v Work Light (http://www.instructables.com/id/Ez-12v-Work-Light/)

[crackers]

Or one of these?

Arlec 2 In 1 27 LED Utility Torch | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-2-in-1-27-led-utility-torch_p4410388)

Less than $10, has magnetic base and a hook and runs on 3 AAA batteries so you don't need to worry about recharging it, just replace the batteries when needed (better for casual use).

I have a couple of them and find them great when working under the car as you can just stick them to a chassis rail etc. Biggest danger is leaving it there and driving off with it still attached and turned on!

Cheers,
Chris

I've got one of them. It's bloody useless as a work light, but I've left it stuck (using the magnet) by the door to the shed so that when I go out there at night, I don't have to grope around in the dark looking for the switch - typically, my shed's light switch is on the other side of the shed to the door.

[crackers]

In and earlier post, I mentioned a fluoro light from a local importer. I went to look at it at lunch time today and the rotten thing's as long as my forearm. Not useful. But while talking options to the bloke, he asked if I'd be interested in the old cage type light. Would I? Too right. $17 later, I've got myself a new working light. Bought some LED globes for it (and probably bought ones that were too bright).

It'll do for the moment. If I do buy a rechargeable set up, this gives me a reliable back up and it's not unusual to need two lights, one flooding the area and one for spot work.

Interesting what's out there though.

[bsperka]

- typically, my shed's light switch is on the other side of the shed to the door.
Just curious - Does it move around?? :)

[crackers]

Just curious - Does it move around?? :)

Feels like it sometimes... and at the moment, it's got half a Land Rover in front of it. Believe me, going out there at night without a torch is asking to have your shins scraped. Having that little torch stuck by the door is a god send.

When they build the shed, they put the light switches by the little side door which makes sense. Well, I don't have any sort of key for that door and looking at it, it wouldn't open anyway, so I have to come in through the main sliding door (which is locked by a chain and padlock), hence the daffy light switch positions.

Ahh, the joys of renting :cool:

[DoubleChevron]

you might still be able to find one of these at aldi (on special a few weeks back). My father has one.... he seems to think its quite good (other than the battery didn't last long)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/153.jpg

seeya
Shane L.