Are halogen work lights dangerous?

cantdrv55 · 12-12-2005, 01:21 PM

I could use more light in the garage, especially under the car. I saw some halogen work lights on sale for pretty cheap. I remember halogen torchiere lamps causing fires in homes when they come in contact with draperies, etc. So I'm asking if the work light version is safe in the garage and under the car. I know they give off quite a bit of heat. Does anybody here use them?

kaisen · 12-12-2005, 01:28 PM

Back when I used to work on my own cars regularly, I used them. Great for heat when laying on the cold Minnesotan garage floor. Burned myself on them too. Lotsa light for little $$.

E

coloradoporsche · 12-12-2005, 01:43 PM

I use 'em. Yea they get real hot to the touch so you gotta be careful.

I found that I use them for heat as much as anything. They make a great radiant heater.

For adding more light to the garage, I have found the two ceiling-mounted florescent lights I bought from Home Depot for about $10 each actually seem to do a better job.

cantdrv55 · 12-12-2005, 01:56 PM

Yeah, I'll be installing flourescent lighting in my garage but under the car, it's still pretty dark. I find flourescent shop lights on an extension cord insufficient. It sucks getting old.

vash · vash's Garage

why not get a flashlight that comes with those cordless drills? you can get 18v ones that last along time. ryobi sells some cheap stuff.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

it might make you impotent.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 12-12-2005, 02:50 PM

They cause fires if not used properly. Use common sense and you will be fine.

teenerted1 · 12-12-2005, 03:16 PM

why not put a florescent bulb in your regular trouble light?

no heat issue lower power bill and wont break a filament every tine you drop it on the garage floor.

works great in my old trouble light haven't had a problem all summer.

and with the lower wattage i wasn't to worried when i left it on all weekend under the car waiting for parts to arrive on a Monday to install.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I bought a light similar to below at Costco for $12 and mated it to a 50 foot reel that I picked up from a auction reel cheap

I use the thing constantly and love it. For lots of flood lighting nothing beats the halogen lamps. I use those alot as well.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I strongly advise against halogen or incandescent worklights

cantdrv55 · 12-12-2005, 07:04 PM

Yow!

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by widebody911
I strongly advise against halogen or incandescent worklights

And I strongly advise against vintage buses!

When using lights - any lights - you gotta use common sense and be careful!

-Z.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Z-man
And I strongly advise against vintage buses!

What do you have against vintage buses?

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Thom:
I ain't got nothin' against vintage buses, execpt those buses that are torched due to improper halogen light use!

-Z .

campbellcj · 12-12-2005, 09:43 PM

I have two halogen 500w lights that work very well. One is low (floor level) and one is on a telecoping/swivel pole type of stand. They have a cage around the bulb to help prevent breakage or contact w/ stuff. They are bright enough that you can set up the light several feet back from what you're working on. Accordingly I haven't been unduly worried about fire or heat. I tend to keep an extinguisher close at hand when I'm working on the car anyway...esp w/ electrical or fuel projects.

911pcars · 12-12-2005, 10:14 PM

I have a twin flourescent work light; the light box is about 12" x 10" and sits on an adjustable metal base. It gives off plenty of cold light and doesn't use much juice. For safety, I'd stay away from hot halogen lights (usually 250 watts on up) under or inside the car. Combustible materials are attracted to such a light by gravity and proximity. Most don't have light guards as the guards would get pretty hot themselves. I think they're better for lighting large areas and away from things that go sizzle.

Keep the halogen in the headlights.

Sherwood

cantdrv55 · 12-12-2005, 10:37 PM

Thanks all. No halogen for me then. I'll look for a twin flourescent work light instead.

EdT82SC · 12-12-2005, 10:42 PM

I used to have an incandescent bulb in my work light until I melted my shift knob while re-installing my pedal cluster. Now I have a compact flourescent bulb in my cheap cone style work light. When under the car I use a LED headlamp. It runs off two AAA batteries, and shines decent light wherever I look. I don't have to move my work light around when I move, or have a hand used for holdinga flashlight. I picked it up at REI for $30, and I love it. Works great for reading a book on a camping trip too.

911pcars · 12-12-2005, 10:51 PM

"When under the car I use a LED headlamp. It runs off two AAA batteries, and shines decent light wherever I look."

Ahh, the perfect answer for driving with the overly dim dash gauge lights. Don't pay attention to what others think about a Porsche driver with a flashlight on his head.

Good idea, btw (yours, not mine)

Sherwood

RallyJon · 12-13-2005, 04:57 AM

I hate those big halogen lights. They cook you in the summer, burn you when you bump into them and blind you if you glance at them.

Last time I was at Sears I picked up the largest fluorescent worklight I'd seen. It sits on the floor, has four bulbs and puts out about 50W, which is pretty good for fluorescent.

I wish someone would make big, multi-bulb fluorescent tripod lights like the 500W halogens.