Suggestions on LED Under hood Work Lights

[Sport Fury 67]

I have been on-line looking at options for a LED - under hood type work light (that will be long enough to attach to a C-body hood) and will not require me to invest in an additional purchase of battery packs and a charging system.

From what I have read, 2,000 Lumens seems to be the best output to fully light the engine compartment area, and if possible, you would like the light be adjustable (slide a bit left to right).

The least expensive option appears to be the Harbor Freight ICON brand for approximately $90, the Milwaukee brand light is the most expensive at $300.

Other than removing the hood and allowing the overhead lights to perform the illumination, what have you found to be useful. My garage has no natural light and is as essentially a cave.

Also, this information may also be use our member's as a Holiday gift idea ; )

 

[Big_John]

This isn't what you are looking for, but I've bought 4 of these so far... One got broken (apparently they won't take being thrown across the shop LOL) ) and the other 3 are hanging in there. They are extremely handy and small enough to slip in your pocket while you are working. I got the red color so I can spot them easier.

My only complaint is the magnetic base could be a little stronger.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098DGCDN1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Sport Fury 67]

Thank you John. As my eyes are getting older and find I need a lot of light to focus on items obscured from view. Now it the time of year where I can't pull the car out into the sunlight - too damm cold out there.

Thank you for your comments. Steve

 

[Detroit_Lives]

I use a similar one like that red one. Harbor Freight sells Braun mfg. very strong magnet, best rechargeable I've used.
They make a underhood led also, cord type.

 

[Detroit_Lives]

 

[Big_John]

I use a similar one like that red one. Harbor Freight sells Braun mfg. very strong magnet, best I've used.

I had a couple of those. They are a lot better quality, but not quite as bullet proof and a bit more expensive. About twice as long as the red ones and I think they last longer between charges, although they also take longer to charge. Wait for a sale or a coupon.

 

[bnz84]

I have both of those pictured. Yes the Braun one is brighter and last longer but the other ones I use more often. What I like about both of these is LED style which is COB. The entire area lights up as opposed to little dots of light. Its not a big difference but for close up work I like COB style better. From a distance (2-3ft) not much of a difference. While searching I found these that I did not know existed. I will probably get one or similar. I really like the sensor part of it as I will often walk away for something and forget to turn it off. As far as general under hood lights this style looks perfect to me.

https://www.amazon.com/ETOOLAB-Ligh...cob+led+work+light&qid=1734010646&sr=8-6&th=1

 

[Big_John]

I have both of those pictured. Yes the Braun one is brighter and last longer but the other ones I use more often. What I like about both of these is LED style which is COB. The entire area lights up as opposed to little dots of light. Its not a big difference but for close up work I like COB style better. From a distance (2-3ft) not much of a difference. While searching I found these that I did not know existed. I will probably get one or similar. I really like the sensor part of it as I will often walk away for something and forget to turn it off. As far as general under hood lights this style looks perfect to me.

https://www.amazon.com/ETOOLAB-Light【AUTO-Off】3000LM-Rechargeable-Repairing/dp/B0CFL6D68V/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jP-NdPnNnPAF8rdiGhKDbxq9rg4sSOtrTsyJ7Z5vASuxPXTb_xJz3e6NDpuFWSAw5wVvucs1P5MDjXvIGlPrIHhTt8DcT9BLymv8tccRfd8h_U5NSb9D-J1lDdpXO4QG69NtB0b_QJtY_9nshd4DQ54jvnWo2Wpxb8BCkE8mkvbFCG_uQvcfnIMSfBW9YGANv1GpxmJHps4ityay9i1a6l48FJKEQWw1yHUidYvKY_1hl7eirY_hcsop37u3C3MKInr_O5hfUvVQG9qtX0Z0a6NqUP-kGAe9R75kKul7Tk7UlXq27tn1Ei98j9T8ntpgKmqR8ggzXF0z053s34kAA4r-n2RvW4GMPVieG2GC6yVHWg1s3HYzaSz-kuRC4ylbairYpVNZquyYwrR8zoO2JjYdd_4opPlm6HYCFtEi1NtijE4XM5sSheH-4DycXNl3.6S24atMpSPvj2yOMzFkGyXyZDGHvGpuIFKVPGXQ_vtY&dib_tag=se&keywords=cob+led+work+light&qid=1734010646&sr=8-6&th=1
View attachment 696844

I like those! I may have to buy one too.

 

[Sixpactogo]

View attachment 696721

I have two of these Braun lights. They are my go to every time now. I have a 25' corded trouble light on a recoil mounted to the ceiling but have not used it since I found these.

 

[sixpkrt]

As my eyes are getting older and find I need a lot of light to focus on items obscured from view.

I too have a hard time seeing under the hood when the overhead lighting is blocked out when the hood is open.
Been using these from Harbor Freight which provide plenty of light and have a magnetic base so you could place it anywhere need to shine a light onto. The 750 lumens is bright enough and has 2 settings for brightness and a strobe. (I don't know what that is for)
No batteries is a plus. Same charger adapter as a smartphone. I have 2 of them and rotate them for charging when working under the hood.

https://www.harborfreight.com/750-lumen-rechargeable-ultra-compact-magnetic-led-floodlight-yellow-59587.html

 

[Big_John]

I have two of these Braun lights. They are my go to every time now. I have a 25' corded trouble light on a recoil mounted to the ceiling but have not used it since I found these.

Yea, I have a couple corded lights too. These were industrial type, super heavy duty that my Dad gave me. Probably as old as my cars. One I even converted to 12 volt use with an RV bulb and some alligator clips.

I haven't used them in years, but they are still there.

 

[Big_John]

This popped up on FB this morning. Eastwood Gladius COB LED Worklight

Surprisingly, it's actually a couple bucks cheaper and has adjustable light intensity. It also doesn't have the proximity switch which I'd rather not have.

 

[bnz84]

The motion sensor idea got me thinking about a small light I have in a closet. Same as "under cabinet" lights. Example is below. Most are magnetic. I'm thinking they wouldn't last long moving them around in the garage, but they are much cheaper than $44. Might move my closet one to the trunk to see if it lasts as only a trunk light. Yes you have to recharge it from time to time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHCDTVFC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B0DHCDTVFC&pd_rd_w=IAQnJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=AWXFZNVYDA0Q90CKA2HP&pd_rd_wg=aco71&pd_rd_r=6e7e7bb5-d64e-4c6e-aedb-12136cf77e48&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

[Sixpactogo]

This popped up on FB this morning. Eastwood Gladius COB LED Worklight

Surprisingly, it's actually a couple bucks cheaper and has adjustable light intensity. It also doesn't have the proximity switch which I'd rather not have.

View attachment 697114

That does look like a pretty nice light for the money. I too have a problem with the light switch on the Braun. It seems like I am forever bumping it off. Oh well, What would we do if there was nothing to complain about.

 

[live4theking]

I have an outdoor wood boiler that I put one these under cabinet lights in that has magnets. It worked great the other night when I was looking into why my pump wasn't working. If you don't have a hood pad it would work for less than $20.

https://www.amazon.com/STBTECH-Lighting-Magnetic-Installation-Table-Very/dp/B07R3SHDNN/ref=sr_1_25?crid=4XWKYQE9WXHT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZqiIbgDBFWP_N7BVnmpV0seIohN1XqlOLLJ0scioOf-TapfdtGooFMRbB5vtm7ZwFguEnAk6VsmuM6zg_Tj2Es8u6LRtBAPedOSiSCPIHi0eivXJLVurbymjVu8Y-mpZHVT-pTfixgaSyiLYx2eR88KpnkJm7OX6rVhSBicWoUWPCNq3A-5miyTV3m5pTk77yst0GmN7jqkVD6s1tbwrP5m38YFtPUCCvjDGsvPiVIHlF7FNWgO2LJ9G3J5QPCERmsfwpFvhA47p9lwxas-N7jLWX82FfwS4VeUDeEeKNWU.nhAbQpbtRXQfa1kLVktnQ8p_VqXAHv-zz9ndVpFhGFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=magnetic%2Bunder%2Bcabinet%2Blighting&qid=1734110522&sprefix=MAGNETIC%2BUNDER%2BCABINET%2B%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-25&th=1

 

[mopar preferred]

The motion sensor idea got me thinking about a small light I have in a closet. Same as "under cabinet" lights. Example is below. Most are magnetic. I'm thinking they wouldn't last long moving them around in the garage, but they are much cheaper than $44. Might move my closet one to the trunk to see if it lasts as only a trunk light. Yes you have to recharge it from time to time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHCDTVFC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B0DHCDTVFC&pd_rd_w=IAQnJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=AWXFZNVYDA0Q90CKA2HP&pd_rd_wg=aco71&pd_rd_r=6e7e7bb5-d64e-4c6e-aedb-12136cf77e48&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

View attachment 697115

I have these in my bathrooms for night trips. They work very well, and I have yet to need to charge them. Variable brightness so they aren't as shocking as turning on the full lighting.