Work lights for midnight tarping/untarping

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by ravaughn, May 9, 2017.

  1. ravaughn

    ravaughn Light Load Member

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    There are loads of times where I find myself working in the dark.
    I went through a series of worklights starting with obvious halogen work lights.
    The problem with halogen lights is that the truck shakes too much going down the road and this causes the bulbs to burn out too soon.
    LEDs are alright, but the cost a bunch for the really nice ones.
    I went and ordered something crazy, and it turns out that it works pretty good.
    Its basically a 400 watt metal halide (HID) lamp in a portable hangable fixture.
    Its about 4 times brighter than your average street light. It will light up an entire row at the truck stop. It attracts all of the bugs though. All of them.
    Its designed to be hung from the ceiling, but I usually just sit it on the ground.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003T0GB8I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Hang-A-Light HL400PS 400w Pulse Start Metal Halide 24-Inch Tall Temporary Work Light, Yellow
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    The question that is first to mind;
    how do you power it?
    The product pictured in your post has a place for a power cord, and I don't see where a battery could be stored.
     
  4. AlexFromMD

    AlexFromMD Light Load Member

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    I would imagine you could plug it directly into your inverter?
     
  5. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    True, but the power draw for that light is more than 400 watts. closer to 800. that will draw down a battery pretty quick. Unless your running the truck or an APU.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2017
  6. fargonaz

    fargonaz Road Train Member

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    I just use an LED head lamp. I'd step on the lamp or trip over the cord, that is my fate.
     
  7. HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

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    I got a REALLY BRIGHT rechargeable head lamp from the Snap On truck, about $60 I think. Uses a cell phone cord to charge.
    Steelman Pro #78834

    Just Googled that light .. $20-40 all over the place. I have had it about 6 months and can highly recommend it. By far the best headlight I have had or seen anyone else use in person.
     
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  8. ravaughn

    ravaughn Light Load Member

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    May 8, 2017
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    A light this big would drain any battery down to nothing in a few minutes.
    You would either leave the truck running or use an APU.
    Keep in mind this light has a bulb thats 1.5 feet tall and 9 inches wide.
     
  9. ravaughn

    ravaughn Light Load Member

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    May 8, 2017
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    You cant step on a light that weighs 50 pounds and is knee height.
    You just sit it on the ground 15 feet away and plug it in with cord reels. Keep in mind this thing lights up the entire area so you wont need to move it except from one side to the other.
     
  10. White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

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    Yep...plenty of stores carry plenty of flash lights that band right to your head for cheap.
    Why light up the entire area when all you need to do is see the area in front of you?

    I got one that has plenty of bright light, and runs on 4 AA batteries for $14.
     
  11. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Because bigger is better.
     
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