I have been using a battery powered LED torch for working on my cars for years now. I figured it might be time for an upgrade.
I was thinking of getting a plug in the wall large square floodlight that can be aimed on a small mount or laid flat under the car, maybe a plug in wand type for tight spaces and a rechargeable (perhaps USB) inspection light.
What do you use? Looking for something that will last me some years. Bunnings, mitre10, thetoolshed have some good looking options. Repco and supercheap don't really look like they have any quality products in this department or overpriced.
What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
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- tw2
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What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
I use an led light bar with a diffuser, it's meant to be used just around the house, but I find it lights up the whole engine bay. I use a rechargeable LED mini flood lamp for extra light in an area and my phone flash light for looking if bolt holes line up. I don't think you need to spend a huge amount of money on this.
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
We have a few of the Narva rechargeable LED lights at work and they are very good
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
I've been using this Repco Mechpro for years. It works but not the best. Has a hook on top and a magnet on the back. It does't like getting oil on the hand grip or Brakleen on the lens. It's a bit big for some situations but a bit small for others although the lighting in my garage is a single bulb right in the middle so this work light has been well used for almost everything.
https://www.repco.co.nz/en/brands/mechp ... p/A1206473
Ideally a small version of the light above light, a medium light like the one above and a larger light like the one below would cover all needs.
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-20w-po ... _p00013401
https://www.repco.co.nz/en/brands/mechp ... p/A1206473
Ideally a small version of the light above light, a medium light like the one above and a larger light like the one below would cover all needs.
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-20w-po ... _p00013401
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
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2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
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- tw2
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
Thanks for the suggestions.
That looks quite good. How does it go with grease, oil etc? I am used to degreasing my torch every once in a while but it is one of the small waterproof dolphin models. I see it is A$159 or here NZ$360! Man we get ripped off for everything, oh well there is always eBay Australia.Malcolm wrote:This one: https://goo.gl/images/oVTzrm
I saw the same unit from bunnings. I think the swivel bracket would be very handy and lying it flat under the car too.GDII wrote:I've been using this Repco Mechpro for years. It works but not the best. Has a hook on top and a magnet on the back. It does't like getting oil on the hand grip or Brakleen on the lens. It's a bit big for some situations but a bit small for others although the lighting in my garage is a single bulb right in the middle so this work light has been well used for almost everything.
https://www.repco.co.nz/en/brands/mechp ... p/A1206473
Ideally a small version of the light above light, a medium light like the one above and a larger light like the one below would cover all needs.
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-20w-po ... _p00013401
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
This is probably not quite what you meant.....
But I had some permanently installed for emergencies '89 AW11 V6 Turbo (350BHP & 380Ft/lbs!)
'86 AW11 20V (Sold)
'91 SW20 Turbo "BlackRat" #RatRodStyle (Sold)
'91 SW20 Turbo (Sold)
South Auckland Area Coordinator
'86 AW11 20V (Sold)
'91 SW20 Turbo "BlackRat" #RatRodStyle (Sold)
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- tw2
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
Haha, no not quite!
I ended up ordering one of these https://www.uni-lite.com/shop/ps-il6r-l ... ion-light/
It has both the inspection light and also a focused torch. Had some good amazon reviews and on a couple of other sites. I couldn't justify the price of the narva unit (even from Australia) despite it looking like a very good unit. I will probably get the workshop light from bunnings, might have a look tomorrow. I will post my impressions when I get everything and use it.
I ended up ordering one of these https://www.uni-lite.com/shop/ps-il6r-l ... ion-light/
It has both the inspection light and also a focused torch. Had some good amazon reviews and on a couple of other sites. I couldn't justify the price of the narva unit (even from Australia) despite it looking like a very good unit. I will probably get the workshop light from bunnings, might have a look tomorrow. I will post my impressions when I get everything and use it.
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
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- mickeyduck
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
Probably a bit late now (sorry Thomas) but as well as the usual fluro lighting in the shed, a Halogen floodlight (old school, at least 20 years old) on a swivel mount in the ceiling, an LED floodlight from M10 that I put under the car, and a 30 year old lead-lamp (looks like an ice cream cone with a cage on top) that has a newfangled LED bulb in it, I'd be lost without this wee fella:
https://www.jaycar.co.nz/cob-led-head-t ... s/p/ST3210
Inexpensive, with a Cree LED (bright as anything), put it on your head and both hands are free to get the job done. Mint.
I bought 3 packs of these AAA's so I have 4 sets of rechargeable batteries for the torch (it takes 3) and if I work in the shed for 12 hours with it on non-stop I might use 3 sets of batteries.
https://www.jaycar.co.nz/1-2v-aaa-900ma ... k/p/SB1739
A battery charger costs you a wee bit too but in the end it's the best light source when working on a car in my estimation as the light is always exactly where you are looking and both your hands are free. And over time the rechargeable batteries more than pay for themselves that's for sure!
https://www.jaycar.co.nz/cob-led-head-t ... s/p/ST3210
Inexpensive, with a Cree LED (bright as anything), put it on your head and both hands are free to get the job done. Mint.
I bought 3 packs of these AAA's so I have 4 sets of rechargeable batteries for the torch (it takes 3) and if I work in the shed for 12 hours with it on non-stop I might use 3 sets of batteries.
https://www.jaycar.co.nz/1-2v-aaa-900ma ... k/p/SB1739
A battery charger costs you a wee bit too but in the end it's the best light source when working on a car in my estimation as the light is always exactly where you are looking and both your hands are free. And over time the rechargeable batteries more than pay for themselves that's for sure!
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100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
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Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
- tw2
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Re: What LED work lights do you guys use/recommend?
Thanks Charlie. I actually bought a work light this morning. I ended up going with this one https://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/product/1 ... -light-45w
It has two settings, low is perfect for under the car and high is very very bright, better for lighting up larger areas. It has plugs on the back for daisy chaining other tools and the longest cord (2.8m) I have seen on most lights.
It has two settings, low is perfect for under the car and high is very very bright, better for lighting up larger areas. It has plugs on the back for daisy chaining other tools and the longest cord (2.8m) I have seen on most lights.
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
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