Underhood Lights

[cole454]

I want to hook up some lights for my engine compartment to help when I'm working on it. What would the best type of lights be? Cold cathode, LEDs, and so on.

[tenspeed]

Many possibilities..... The only type I would stay away from is LED because (unless you buy expensive ones) they don't illuminate a area all that well.

Do you want white or colored lights? The CCFL's are white. Some are inside a tinted tube that gives them their color. The "neons" use different gasses to give them the various colors. Both use little power and give off a lot of light.

Ordinary incandescent bulbs will work. You will have to get sockets to mount them in. You might be able to find lights like this in the salvage yard. My Achieva had one that never worked.

You can also get something that plugs into the lighter or clips to the battery. Get a fluorescent trouble light to eliminate burns during use. This type can also be used under, around or near the car.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by tenspeed
Many possibilities..... The only type I would stay away from is LED because (unless you buy expensive ones) they don't illuminate a area all that well.

Do you want white or colored lights? The CCFL's are white. Some are inside a tinted tube that gives them their color. The "neons" use different gasses to give them the various colors. Both use little power and give off a lot of light.

Ordinary incandescent bulbs will work. You will have to get sockets to mount them in. You might be able to find lights like this in the salvage yard. My Achieva had one that never worked.

You can also get something that plugs into the lighter or clips to the battery. Get a fluorescent trouble light to eliminate burns during use. This type can also be used under, around or near the car.

This is what Jim is talking about:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/GN3007/GAUNDER/Underhood+Light.html