Engine Bay Work Light

[mitchell.bird]

I’m making an engine bay work light for my product design A level that’s targeted towards classic car enthusiasts, so I want my light to have a retro old design and was wondering if any of you have any suggestions to give it an older look or any suggestions in general? So far I have thought of using a yellow LEDs influenced by the yellow headlights of old french cars. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Shakermaker]

Why not use an old French style headlight then?

Find a decent part on eBay and then repurpose it into a work light

Someone will be along shortly to explain that it wasn't the French who popularised the yellow headlights in the first place, it would be me but I can't remember where it actually came from.

[Aggymon]

I take it this is more 'form' over function ?

A list of useful features I can give if function is more important

[MorganP104]

Many years ago, my Dad had a mains work light that looked a lot like this pendant lamp (Imagine it with a large spring-loaded hand operated clamp at the top of the unit).



I always thought it looked very elegant, and nothing like other, rather ugly units I saw people using at the time.

Suggestions for functionality:

- Give it a standard-sized bayonet light fitting (for ultimate bulb compatibility).
- Make the cable of the fabric braid covered kind (not only will it look retro, it will help protect any bodywork it's draped over).
- Give the inside facings of the large spring-loaded clamp a generous layer of soft padding (to protect whatever it's clamped to).
- Make at least one of the outside facings of the clamp nice and wide, with the entire surface magnetic (for sticking to metal bits of cars, engine hoists, 4 post lifts, etc.)

Good luck!

[AREA]

Yellow light probably wouldn't be great in an engine bay for working - good clear white light is preferable - but thinking about the French automotive theme then a good swiveling light could be useful. There's often a compromise between where you can place a light and where you actually want to be illuminated.

[Krikkit]

Magnetic stick-on flexi-lamp with LEDs would be best - stick it on the bonnet/inner wing/sill and position accordingly.

Also, ideally, needs to have 12V and 240V power options. Rechargeable ideally.

[boyse7en]

If its the retro look then think about the finishes and materials used on cars of the era - leather, buckles, cellulose paint (it's not as shiny as modern paint finishes) chrome, sandcast aluminium,

Practicality is a needed however good it looks so think that through as well.

[InitialDave]

Do you have a particular period in mind which you want it to look like it came from?

Any examples of the sort of look you're after?

Function wise, as well as making it swivel, try and make it so the force needed to swivel it is a lot less than will pull it off whatever it's clamped to, so you can adjust it one handed more easily.

[mitchell.bird]

Aggymon said:

I take it this is more 'form' over function ?

A list of useful features I can give if function is more important

Yeah I'm trying to make something that looks completely different to anything else on the market but a list of useful features would also be a great help

[mitchell.bird]

MorganP104 said:

Many years ago, my Dad had a mains work light that looked a lot like this pendant lamp (Imagine it with a large spring-loaded hand operated clamp at the top of the unit).



I always thought it looked very elegant, and nothing like other, rather ugly units I saw people using at the time.

Suggestions for functionality:

- Give it a standard-sized bayonet light fitting (for ultimate bulb compatibility).
- Make the cable of the fabric braid covered kind (not only will it look retro, it will help protect any bodywork it's draped over).
- Give the inside facings of the large spring-loaded clamp a generous layer of soft padding (to protect whatever it's clamped to).
- Make at least one of the outside facings of the clamp nice and wide, with the entire surface magnetic (for sticking to metal bits of cars, engine hoists, 4 post lifts, etc.)

Good luck!

I really like the look of that light and those are some great suggestions, thanks!

[mitchell.bird]

InitialDave said:

Do you have a particular period in mind which you want it to look like it came from?

Any examples of the sort of look you're after?

Function wise, as well as making it swivel, try and make it so the force needed to swivel it is a lot less than will pull it off whatever it's clamped to, so you can adjust it one handed more easily.

I want to make it look like it's from the 50s/60s era because my chosen client has a mk2 Jag and I also really like that era and the cars it produced.

I'm thinking of using a bulb like this with a metal guard like in the picture above in the thread so that it is still functional as well as having an older look.

[Aggymon]

White light

Adjustable positioning of multiple lights

Rechargeable with at least two battery packs and a seperate charging 'station' for them (3 or four hours runtime at full power)

NO MAGNETS (magnets attract swarf, swarf and paintwork do not mix. Lot's of classics may not have a magnetic bonnet)

A fixing system that is very secure but easily moveable and will not damage paintwork

Waterproof/Oil proof

Replaceable lenses on the light units

Tough like Chuck Norris

Cheap

Good luck !

[Mr2Mike]

I wouldn't even consider buying an inspection lamp that didn't have a magnetic base, they are extremely useful IME. You don't stick inspection lamps onto the outside of painted panels, so there's no problem. A spring clip AND a magnet would be very useful when you don't have a suitable flat and magnetic surface to use however,

[Aggymon]

Mr2Mike said:

I wouldn't even consider buying an inspection lamp that didn't have a magnetic base, they are extremely useful IME. You don't stick inspection lamps onto the outside of painted panels, so there's no problem. A spring clip AND a magnet would be very useful when you don't have a suitable flat and magnetic surface to use however,

An inspection lamp is something different.

I thought the OP said an engine bay work lamp ?

That is something that attaches (usually) to the bonnet to illuminate the engine bay. Like these - https://www.harborfreight.com/120-led-rechargeable...

Edited by Aggymon on Tuesday 26th September 13:36

[Decky_Q]

Hi I did Product and system design at A-level and you will be missing some key criteria for full marks if you go for an Edison screw antique bulb as you didn't manufacture it, but mainly it will be totally useless as a work light.

I would go with a translucent 3 sided pyramid shape with lots of very bright LEDs on 3 sides and a neodymium magnet base with a neoprene cover. The light will be where you want it and the translucent sides will diffuse the light (this is much better than direct light that creates loads of shadows and contrasts). You can decorate the exterior with a milled jaguar logo or something that meets the manufacture criteria.

To get full marks you will need to build a suitably complex control circuit, so make that your charging circuit and if that doesn't meet all the criteria add a smart USB 5v out as well.

This is just my opinion, good luck and enjoy the course!

[TooMany2cvs]

mitchell.bird said:

I'm thinking of using a bulb like this with a metal guard like in the picture above in the thread so that it is still functional as well as having an older look.

Those squirrel-cage lights don't exactly give out much usable light...

What are you actually trying to do here?

Make a nice pretty ornament, or something that's usable as a work light?


This is a typical 1960s mechanic's work light - galv so wipe-clean, hook to hang it on, perfectly normal incandescent bulb. It was the best light that available technology could give at a reasonable price, and they were a right PITA - because every time you looked at 'em wonky while they were on, the bulb failed...

Times have moved on.

[jeremyh1]

I like the idea of a french head light but with modern strong leds with a good hook and a magnet on the back rechargable with no lead

Personally my workshop is quite old and it would be nice to have a light like this

[PositronicRay]

Something like this?

a) Retro 50s chic
b) Independent power source, no fragile electronics
c) Bodywork friendly mounting system
d) Directional diffused light
e) Versatile tough protection

[yellowjack]

TooMany2cvs said:

Those squirrel-cage lights don't exactly give out much usable light...

What are you actually trying to do here?

Make a nice pretty ornament, or something that's usable as a work light?


This is a typical 1960s mechanic's work light - galv so wipe-clean, hook to hang it on, perfectly normal incandescent bulb. It was the best light that available technology could give at a reasonable price, and they were a right PITA - because every time you looked at 'em wonky while they were on, the bulb failed...

Times have moved on.

Continuing the theme...



...an army issue 'Inspection Lamp'. The two-pin plug drew power from an outlet in the vehicle's own dashboard (Land Rover was what I was used to seeing them issued to) and the hook was used to hang it from the inside of the bonnet, or pretty much anywhere you could find a spot inside the vehicle too.

The one my dad had at home was mains powered, and had a wire basket to protect the filament lamp, and a big old 'bulldog clip' to fix it in place.

Currently I have a cheapo thing which has a directional torch in the end, a bank of "flood" LEDs on one side, a hanging hook (stowed to the rear when not needed) and a magnet base, and it can be angled to illuminate a specific spot. It lives on top of my fridge and is mostly used for household DIY jobs and reading the meters under the stairs.

[Mr2Mike]

Aggymon said:

An inspection lamp is something different.

I thought the OP said an engine bay work lamp ?

That is something that attaches (usually) to the bonnet to illuminate the engine bay. Like these - https://www.harborfreight.com/120-led-rechargeable...

The OP is proposing to use an retro looking "squirrel cage" bulb, so it isn't going to be a long LED wand style of lamp.