trouble light WARNING!!!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: northwest ohio
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
While I was installing a 4-speed borg warner in my 67 fl00 I used a trouble light with a 100 watt bulb in it. I left it lay on the carpet while trimming the floorpan for the shifter and in about 30 seconds I had melted a hole about the size of a quarter in my 10 month old carpet. I think that if i would have left it there much longer I might have torched the thing and my shop. I am getting real tired of every time bumping the light and having to replace the bulb. I think I'm going to invest in florecent trouble lights.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I bought a fluorescent but kept my std trouble lamps around. Both of my std trouble lights are rated for a 60W max bulb. They will still melt or burn some surfaces. I bought the fluorescent because I was tired of burning myself with them. The fluorescent type is much easier to stick down in a tight spot around the engine and gives off a better light. The fluorescent light is also much more durable.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I haven't used anything but a flourescent in years. They rule. I met a guy once who had terrible facial scars from a drop light he was using that caught fire from a gas leak when he was underneath a car. Ouch.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I recommend the safety bulbs for commercial use. These are coated in plastic to keep the bulbs from shattering.
Also the plastic housing type drop lights are better suited for automotive as the cages don't transfer heat.
Also the plastic housing type drop lights are better suited for automotive as the cages don't transfer heat.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
Don't you just hate it when that happens to carpet and underhood wiring? I switched over years ago to florescents.
I have two florescents, one dates back to the 1980's and the other from the 90's, each still using their original bulbs. The later is one that hangs from the ceiling with a retractable cord reel. Its handy in that regard but it has the worst placed on/off switch. I am forever turning it off when reaching to move it. This one features a nice sized (10ich) light but lacking a "real" ballast, it is slow the fire up and most exasperating when inadvertently turned off.
The old one has a "real" ballast incorporated into the plug. It fires right up, but that heavy box plugs directly into the outlet. The weight of the ballast often dislodges the plug prongs whenever the cord is stretched out.
I don't know if the perfect light exists. Any other styles available?
I have two florescents, one dates back to the 1980's and the other from the 90's, each still using their original bulbs. The later is one that hangs from the ceiling with a retractable cord reel. Its handy in that regard but it has the worst placed on/off switch. I am forever turning it off when reaching to move it. This one features a nice sized (10ich) light but lacking a "real" ballast, it is slow the fire up and most exasperating when inadvertently turned off.
The old one has a "real" ballast incorporated into the plug. It fires right up, but that heavy box plugs directly into the outlet. The weight of the ballast often dislodges the plug prongs whenever the cord is stretched out.
I don't know if the perfect light exists. Any other styles available?
Last edited by aerocolorado; Feb 4, 2003 at 05:27 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 1
From: Conway Arkansas
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
You guys have moved up to electrical powered lights now?
I'm still using bond fires, cigarette lighters, matches, and other vehicles headlights. lol j/k
Id like to upgrade to fleurscent lights.
Today I was using the underhood retractable light thats been added to my Chebby to work inside the truck... I almost caught it on fire with that little thing... Don't lay it on carpet either.
But anyways, about how much does a good fluerescent (sp) light cost. I dont need a real big one.
I'm still using bond fires, cigarette lighters, matches, and other vehicles headlights. lol j/k
Id like to upgrade to fleurscent lights.
Today I was using the underhood retractable light thats been added to my Chebby to work inside the truck... I almost caught it on fire with that little thing... Don't lay it on carpet either.
But anyways, about how much does a good fluerescent (sp) light cost. I dont need a real big one.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I've got 3- a cordless, a compact and a bigger one mounted on a reel. The reel-mounted one has a magnet that's strapped to it with Velcro. They all have switches mounted in different places, and it's always the wrong place.
The reel mount is a National Electric, and I think it sells for $130.
The compact is some off-brand that I picked up during my former life as a parts store manager. The cordless is a Snap-On and it's my favorite. I don't know what it costs 'cuz I picked it up used. I use it all over the house. The downside is that the battery only lasts for about 30 min, but it charges quick.
Flourescents run from about $40 to over $400, so take your pick.
The reel mount is a National Electric, and I think it sells for $130.
The compact is some off-brand that I picked up during my former life as a parts store manager. The cordless is a Snap-On and it's my favorite. I don't know what it costs 'cuz I picked it up used. I use it all over the house. The downside is that the battery only lasts for about 30 min, but it charges quick.
Flourescents run from about $40 to over $400, so take your pick.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 1
From: Conway Arkansas
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
Hrm, sounds like you got your lights figured out 
40 bucks sounds good 2 me... as I don't use them a whole lot.
I dont see spending 400 on a light personally.
Thanks for the info, as I will be shopping around
40 bucks sounds good 2 me... as I don't use them a whole lot.
I dont see spending 400 on a light personally.
Thanks for the info, as I will be shopping around
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I''ll tell ya something, I've kind of been thinking about getting lately, for working on my truck... and that is... one of these kind, that you wear on your head. A small round spotlight, with an elastic headband...They look like they would be pretty handy.
Another thing that might be good for tight places, is a little small swivel spotlight, (about 1 inch in diameter) mounted on a magnetic base (about the size of a AA battery). ...Have a few of em, so you could get light coming in from different angles.
Chris.
Another thing that might be good for tight places, is a little small swivel spotlight, (about 1 inch in diameter) mounted on a magnetic base (about the size of a AA battery). ...Have a few of em, so you could get light coming in from different angles.
Chris.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 1
From: Conway Arkansas
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I've tried the head mounted lights and I think the suck.
You have to bend your neck in all different ways to get light where you want it. Just a thought before you spend money on one.
You have to bend your neck in all different ways to get light where you want it.
Just a thought before you spend money on one.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: CT
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
I use a head mounted light quite often - there ok for working in the field. Get one where the light articulates so you are not straining your neck. Also be nice if the battery pack was not in the back of the head - its annoying when laying on your back.
I have straps on the shoulder of my carhart that receive a flashlight that works real well with the headlamp to illuminate.
The lighter plugin lights work well with a portable battery charger as the power source.
Ray
I have straps on the shoulder of my carhart that receive a flashlight that works real well with the headlamp to illuminate.
The lighter plugin lights work well with a portable battery charger as the power source.
Ray
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Floyd, Va
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
My uncle burned his pristine 79 F350 4x4 with a spotlight. It had less than 50k and no dents on it. He was checking the calving lot and left the spotlight in the seat. After he pulled the calf he went back out to find his pickup in flames in the middle of the lot.
The chasis and box were the only salvagable parts.
Tony Warren
Nebraska
The chasis and box were the only salvagable parts.
Tony Warren
Nebraska
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,619
Likes: 340
From: Albuquerque
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
a caution on incandescent light bulb. If the bulb breaks and you try to remove it without turning of the switch you can get 110v on your little pinkies from the filaments.
Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Groveland, MA
trouble light WARNING!!!!!
As much as I like my flourescent drop light, I am tired of constantly replacing the bulbs. They aren't very shockproof. Maybe I need to buy a different type of light.