Project: LED light and stand.

[skibik]

After seeing Concours.John`s LED light build it gave me an idea to build one myself. Unfortunately mine does not put out as many Lumens. But here it goes.

I started with a Designers Edge model L1301 108 LED work light for $31.20 on Amazon. Advertised as putting out 300 Lumens but box says 350, I know not much. Ad also says it is equivalent to a 300 watt (yeah I can work with that) work light which is false, according to box it is equivalent to a 175w Halogen light. (this made me mad but what the hey I will build it anyway). I also purchased the Neewer 53" tripod off of Amazon for $10.79 (both qualified for super saver shipping so it didn`t cost a dime to get it to my door) and supposedly it will hold 7 pounds, light only weighs about 3 to 4 pounds. Only bad thing is I can`t tilt the light over to far on the camera head because of the weight but the Light itself can be tilted also. This build was simple as the actual stand that comes with the light has 2 bolts, washers and nuts. The center hole is the correct size for the camera mounting bolt and the nut is the exact thread size so assembly was super easy.

The light:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/Light8.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3088)

The light mounted on the tripod at it lowest point, approximately 2 feet high:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/Light2.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3083)
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/Light1.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3082)

The legs extended, the legs have 2 sections that extend it to about 4 feet:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/Light3.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3084)

Fully extended, there is also a crank on the head and fully cranked up the height is 5 feet:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/light4.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3086)

Quick detach, the tripod has a quick detach, the bracket comes with the light, you can barely see the quick detach bracket in the photo:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/Light5.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3085)

Light is on, since I had no reason to go to the garage to try it out to see how it lit I just faced it to the office wall. That is dark paneling and no flash was used so it seems to light fairly decent:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/644/medium/Light7.jpg (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3087)

I know I could have spent the same amount of money on a twin Halogen light portable work light with stand. I just did not like the idea of have to work next to twin 500w heat sources. Although it would be nice and warm in the winter my intentions are to use for polishing and not so much for the cleaning in the car.

Pros:
I can remove light by just flipping a lever out
Runs cooler than Halogen (although the case must get slightly hot as it has a hot surface temp sticker on it)
6W of electricity used
Light color 6500K
no light bulbs to replace
rated for 20,000 hours of use

Cons:
Could have been higher equivalent watt rating (only equivalent to 175W Halogen)
Cord could have been longer but either way need an extension cord.

This company does make other portable work lights. They do have 130 LED light but it costs a lot more. They also have a twin head 130w (65 ea) fluorescent light but that costs $150. There are other brands and options for LED and Fluorescent a person could make a twin head but you would need a heavier duty stand, which I believe I had found a spotlight stand by Neewer also. I just tried limiting myself to what it would cost for a Halogen work light. It may not be as bright but at least I won`t have to wear sunscreen while working next to it.

Thanks for looking,
Dean.

:bigups

A thank you goes to Concours.John for the idea.

[Concours.John]

LED`s are much better than halogens (especially energy and heat wise). One reason I focused on the the set up I did was to prevent wash affect (multiple create a wash). A bright single bulb will concentrate on defects when veiwed from any angle. Im just glad someone else is giving it a go! Get some pics up of how t is doing for you. As always don`t hesitate to PM if you have questions. My build was many fixtures in the making.
Let us know what you think!!

[Bunky]

The problem for a general worklight LED`s have a long way to go (primarily due to cost) to get the same lumens as halogens. In the garage on a cold day, the halogens are nice heaters but in the summer they are miserable.