As a vehicle owner, you know how important it is to have quality lighting for any job in your garage or warehouse. So, whether you’re performing under-the-hood maintenance, loading goods, or heading out for an off-road adventure, you want to take LED work lights with you.
Let’s decode the specs of these lights and determine the tips on what illumination solutions are best for you to take on any task, day or night.
Understanding LED work light brightness
For starters, lumens indicate the light amount a bulb emits – more lumens mean more brightness. LED work lights range from 500 lumens for basic area lighting up to 50,000+ lumens for high-intensity jobs. 1,500 to 10,000 lumens is a good range for most vehicles and operators to get a solution that’s bright enough to illuminate the entire engine bay or the area around your wheels.
Understanding beam spread types
Do you want to illuminate a specific area from a distance when doing mechanical jobs under the hood? If so, spotlights are up for the task. As the name suggests, they project a concentrated beam of light and can reach farther and shine brighter than more widespread light distribution options. However, spotlights may create harsh shadows and be too intense for close-up tasks.
On the other hand, LED work lights that use the flood distribution method can cast a broad, diffuse glow while reducing glare and shadows. They work like a charm for lighting the space when loading and unloading a vehicle at night or setting up camp. But while the even beam is associated with reduced blinding risks, the downside is that floodlights won’t reach as far as spotlights.
Understanding color temperature
Many LEDs emit soft light of around 3000K, similar to incandescent bulbs. This will let you see some details, but the overall visibility may take a hit for more detailed jobs.
LED work lights rated at 6000-6500K are better for mechanical and intensive jobs. By mimicking daylight, this bluish-white illumination is fantastic for tasks where high visibility and focus are critical. The higher color temperature reduces shadows so that you can examine every undercarriage nook when carrying out inspections or complicated repairs.
IP65 or IP67?
This letter-numerical rating shows how well the lights withstand moisture and weather exposure. The two standard classifications for automotive LED work lights are IP65 and IP67:
- IP65-rated lights can withstand snow and slight spraying from hoses. They may work for you if you perform most jobs in good weather conditions or in a garage.
- IP67-rated LED work lights are armed with a highly defensive shield against the elements. They are well-protected against dust and the effects of water immersion of up to 1 meter. This makes them ideal if you frequently work outside or in poor weather.
You don’t have to struggle to see under the hood or in your truck bed. Use this guide to choose a set of decent LED work lights that can maintain your eye health and boost your productivity.
