Input on a lighting problem please?

I

imported_Picus

New member
Hi guys - I do a lot of detailing in an underground area I have, which is nice since it is heated, has access to electricity, water, etc. The real problem is the lighting. The entire area is lit by florescent bulbs, which are good for detecting paint problems, but absolutely hideous for interior work. I often notice after cleaning an interior, when I take it outside I see streaks. Now this isn't a *huge* deal, it's just streaks, easily remedied - but it's annoying, and to a layman it may appear as if the job is not well done.



I have tried putting a halogen in the vehicle, but that is almost overpowering. I've also tried incandescent lighting, but it wasn't enough. I need a more natural light that is distributed, rather than focused.



Does anyone have a suggestion? Natural light in an underground garage is impossible. I have almost unlimited outlets and circuits, so consumption is not an issue.



Ideas please?
 
I'd probably lean towards some kind of mobile fluorescent. Either a fluorescent trouble light or a compact fluorescent installed in a regular/old-fashioned type. I wouldn't want anything that gets too hot ;)



Fluorescent trouble lights are handy things anyhow, I don't think you'd regret the purchase. Both of mine have hooks for hanging them and since they don't get very hot you can easily grab/manipulate them to direct the light wherever you want it. Not very fragile so you can toss them around (within reason ;) ) too.



I'm a little surprised you find the garage's fluorescents OK for seeing marring, I can only see the worst stuff under fluorescent light :nixweiss
 
Grainger sells a hanging LED light strip (Item #5AY61) but it only weighs in at like 4 watts. AFAIK, LED's wont get too hot and produce a different spectrum of light as compared to Fluorescent. As Accumlulator said stay away from heat (incadescent). I would be inclined to use something other than the type of lighting source that you already have present for the variance of defects that it will show; whether it's paint or a streaky window. FAIK, the 4 watt LED strip will produce sufficient light. I am not too familiar with how lighting strength crosses over between technologies. By getting two hanging lights, you could put one on each side of your working area to reduce shadows and gain the ability to view inaccuracies from one angle. HTH.
 
Hey guys, thanks for the replies.



Accumulator; I've been checking out fluorescent trouble lights; I might get one regardless just to have on hand. It seems like a useful thing to have around. Regarding my garage lighting, it's lights are very bright and pretty abundant since it has no natural light; so they are actually quite good at spotting deep distinct marring (no so much swirls, like a halogen will do).



AMDin93103; thanks for the link. I agree, it'd probably be good to have something other than a fluorescent or halogen, since I already have those. Like you both mentioned I need something that doesn't get hot since I would like to have it in the actual car (sitting a 1000W halogen on a leather seat = bad call). They're available in Canada too. Big thumbsup. :)
 
AMDin93103- yeah, that was a great suggestion :xyxthumbs Heh heh, newfangled technology...I need to get with it :o



Picus- I'd get that fluorescent trouble light, they're just *so* handy that I bet you'd use it a lot. Mine are very well-sealed so I even use them when doing undercarriages..they get soaking wet/really dirty but no problems at all (yeah, I do have them on a GFI ;) ).
 
I have two hanging flourescent trebble lights i use in the car i hang them off the metal posts on the head rests. it works okay but not great.
 
Grouse said:
I have two hanging flourescent trebble lights i use in the car i hang them off the metal posts on the head rests. it works okay but not great.
Click to expand...



Where did you get them? Have a link per chance?
 
Picus said:
I have tried putting a halogen in the vehicle, but that is almost overpowering. I've also tried incandescent lighting, but it wasn't enough. I need a more natural light that is distributed, rather than focused.



Does anyone have a suggestion? Natural light in an underground garage is impossible. I have almost unlimited outlets and circuits, so consumption is not an issue.
Click to expand...





What did you ever come up with?!
 
Yes, they're pretty bright. I will try to take a pic if I can remember. Tough to get pics of lights though. In any event, they are very good at lighting an interior; specifically the areas that are tough to light (under seats, the hvac controls, etc).
 
This is just an idea. Here's the ultimate lighting setup for a shop. Maybe you could build a 3-5 piece mobile system to put together at your site:



burnedHummerH2005.jpg


burnedHummerH2007.jpg
 
those look like only 2foot bulbs! Id go with 4foot that would be the ULTIMATE SETUP





Either way that things on wheels and is even mobile very impressive:2thumbs:
 
David Fermani said:
This is just an idea. Here's the ultimate lighting setup for a shop. Maybe you could build a 3-5 piece mobile system to put together at your site:



burnedHummerH2005.jpg


burnedHummerH2007.jpg
Click to expand...

That is just insane! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! Where did you get that. Actually I will build one myself. Thanks David!
 
David Fermani said:
This is just an idea. Here's the ultimate lighting setup for a shop. Maybe you could build a 3-5 piece mobile system to put together at your site:



burnedHummerH2005.jpg


burnedHummerH2007.jpg
Click to expand...

OMG I must build myself one of those. so cool.
 
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