Lighting in Garage

[Indy YZF]

I have a question about lighting the interior of vehicles while working on them in a garage. My garage has 4 double bulb flourescent lights overhead. Unless the car has a sunroof I can't seem to get enough light inside the car to do the interior in the evening hours. I've tried trouble lights (I have 2, one LED, one flourescent I try to hang from the grab handles) but find those are a pain to point correctly and don't put out enough light.

I end up doing a lot of Mini vans for friends of my wife and since they are usually nasty, it's hard to make sure I got all the crud.

Any suggestions would be great.

[ScubaCougr]

Dual halogen lights on an adjustable stand? (Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc)

[daveinsweethome]

agree with above. options are limited and the cost and usuability of the halogens on stands is good. i have an unwieldly one with 6500k compact florscenent with a huge metal can that hangs. cant even look at light directly but it puts out better than a cheerleader if i remember what those were.

[SeaJay's]

I use the dual halogens on the adjustable stand. I also use my Brinkman Swirl finder light for the tight little areas when I'm in the car. I also have a single halogen lamp that isn't on a stand that I can use inside the car as it has a handle on it. Just have to be careful with it cause the halogens get really hot!

I've also seen people use the LED headlamps for interiors. But I prefer to try to light up the whole inside instead of just what i'm looking at. that way I can really see the mess.

[CEE DOG]

Problems:
A location that you can't point a dual hal stand light.
A location that none of your shop lights illuminate.
You need 2 hands and don't want to hold your Brinkman or other light.

Solution:
LED Head Lamp

I got a really great one for a little over 20$ if I recall correctly.
3 lightness settings
Adjustable
Lifetime Warranty
Great build quality
Many hours of use

[C. Charles Hahn]

Problems:
A location that you can't point a dual hal stand light.
A location that none of your shop lights illuminate.
You need 2 hands and don't want to hold your Brinkman or other light.

Solution:
LED Head Lamp

I got a really great one for a little over 20$ if I recall correctly.
3 lightness settings
Adjustable
Lifetime Warranty
Great build quality
Many hours of use

Agreed! AG sells one in fact:

Brinkmann LED Headlamp, Brinkmann Head Lamp, Head Light, headlamp flashlight, LED headlamp



Only problem (sort of) is that wearing it will make you look like...well....a Geek!

[CEE DOG]

Only problem (sort of) is that wearing it will make you look like...well....a Geek!

You are certainly right about that. Other AutoGeeks have said exactly that to me.

My dogs don't like the look. My car is just happy I can see any area I need to work on.

[Indy YZF]

I do have a headlamp, just got it for doing insulation in the attic. Not super bright but I guess would work. I like halogens, but they get so damn hot, maybe I'll look at some new ones, mine are kind of old and not really steady.

Best would be to mount some flourescents on the wall that were removable maybe? The plug in ones, then I could put in the corner until needed? Not sure how practical that would be.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I do have a headlamp, just got it for doing insulation in the attic. Not super bright but I guess would work. I like halogens, but they get so damn hot, maybe I'll look at some new ones, mine are kind of old and not really steady.

Best would be to mount some flourescents on the wall that were removable maybe? The plug in ones, then I could put in the corner until needed? Not sure how practical that would be.

I've thought about doing that; actually I've got an old camera tripod I was thinking of mounting a light on. Only problem is those still are too big/bulky to work inside a car IMO.

Another cool toy I've got is a pair of LED-equipped Mechanic's gloves. Might be good to look into if you don't mind wearing gloves while you work:

[builthatch]

/thread

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