DIY Lift/work light
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Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Tool Time tool review and eval area
Forum Description: Tool reviews, evaluations and tips only please.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84961
Printed Date: Apr/19/2024 at 8:02am
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Topic: DIY Lift/work light
Posted By: Mopar_guy
Subject: DIY Lift/work light
Date Posted: Jan/13/2017 at 9:22pm
OK, so now and again I get reminded of my age - like when I can't see sh__ Well you know what I mean!  Anyway, it's getting harder for me to see under a car when working on it and trouble lights are - well just trouble when they keep getting in the way! So I wanted to find some lights that weren't crazy priced but work well to illuminate up under the car. I've tried several different types of lights and finally found what I was looking for. I made 2 of these and have less than $80 in both of them. They're really bright and being led, they're not hot. They're made to be outside on a vehicle so they're pretty tough.  They are called LED Light Bars like this one at http://www.amazon.com/Light-Senlips-Waterproof-Off-road-Vehicle/dp/B00OTE9WE8/" rel="nofollow - Amazon . Mine are about the same with the spot/flood combo and that works very well. I found the tripods on fleabay for $25/pair. I used a couple of old laptop power bricks I had laying around that are rated at 3 amps output. The lights will handle 10 to 30 volts DC and only use 2.2 amps. I have it set up with shielded spades so I can swap some some battery charger clips on it and hook it to a battery if working someplace without power. It will raise up to use as a under hood light as well. I have one more modification to do and that is add a small flywheel (about the size of a brake drum) as a base with an adapter that goes up into the bottom, to make the foot print smaller. The legs will stay folded up until I need them. Here's a picture of them in use while I'm modifying the crossmember in the Javelin.  Several friends that have seen them were impressed and are making some for themselves now, so I thought I would share the idea with you here. -------------  " http://theamcforum.com/forum/hemilina_topic95889.html" rel="nofollow - Hemilina " My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin |
Replies:
Posted By: Ollie
Date Posted: Jan/14/2017 at 8:32am
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I like them. I to need a lot of light. All the joys of getting older. You just can't beat led. I have noticed when taking pictures there sure is a lot of blue in the light Having AMC Fun, Ollie ------------- 1966 American Convertible -- "The Rambler"..SOLD 1974 Postal Jeep -- "Rapid Delivery"...SOLD 1969 Rambler 220 post car--"Road Warrior" 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer, 4.0L, auto, 2wd |
Posted By: tyrodtom
Date Posted: Jan/14/2017 at 9:05am
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I need a lot of light too, nearing 70. But I prefer the small head mounted LEDs, I can point it exactly where I need it. Or I use small clamp mounted spot lights. With big lamps around me it seems like too many times I get between the light and what I want to see, and it's in my shadow, or the light source ends up in front of me too many times and blinds me. Those big stand lights would just be one more thing for me to knock over. ------------- 66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va. |
Posted By: SirDigger
Date Posted: Jan/14/2017 at 2:38pm
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I´m pretty sure we have the same lift @ Mopar_guy And i totally forgot to add floor lights when pouring the concrete ------------- SirDigger&his german Friends are looking for Parts http://theamcforum.com/forum/the-german-amc-forum-ambassadorsirdigger-needs_topic83570.html 1970 Javelin SST 304 1970 Javelin SST 360 |
Posted By: Mopar_guy
Date Posted: Jan/15/2017 at 9:20am
Mines a Challenger asymmetrical. Other than a fitting that loosened up causing a leak, I've had no problems with it. Best investment EVER! I thought about it and had a plan to do it but having 110 volts down where water could get to it changed my mind. If led's were around 8 years ago like they are now I would of done it and had DC power to them. During all the messing around with different lights, I found that having lights on the floor wasn't very good due to shadows but mainly due to reflection in my glasses from the lights so I'm not disappointed that I didn't do it. Having the lights closer to the work is much better for me. @Tyrodtom - I have a head mounted led too I use on occasion. It doesn't provide much light for a project like this. I've tripped over the legs on these a couple of times already so that's why I'm looking to shrink the footprint on the floor to the size of a brake drum. When I get that done, I'll post a picture to show the difference. ------------- " http://theamcforum.com/forum/hemilina_topic95889.html" rel="nofollow - Hemilina " My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin |
SirDigger wrote:Posted By: Scene One
Date Posted: Jan/15/2017 at 7:03pm
 I like them very nice, I may have to make a set of them
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Posted By: Alice
Date Posted: Feb/20/2017 at 8:26am
Wow. Good job 
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Posted By: Mopar_guy
Date Posted: Feb/20/2017 at 3:52pm
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Thanks. I use them both a lot now when working under the car.
------------- " http://theamcforum.com/forum/hemilina_topic95889.html" rel="nofollow - Hemilina " My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin |
Posted By: amxlonnie
Date Posted: Jun/03/2017 at 11:41pm
| I'm wanting to paint the floor under my lift white to reflect more light up. It really makes a difference ! |