Searching for a good trouble light.

pgmrdan

Active member

Equipment
BX2380, L3902HST, Massey Harris Pony, Ford 3000, Bobcat 751 skid steer
Aug 16, 2017
201
80
28
USA
I like my trouble light in warm weather but when it's cold the cord gets so stiff I could use it as a walking stick. I was mislead by an auto parts salesman.

Any good recommendations?
 

Moose7060

Well-known member

Equipment
M7060, L3902 HST, Farm King PT740, HLA 2500 Snowpusher, LandPride RCR1872
Oct 14, 2023
516
1,156
93
bc
I have always found trouble lights either blinded me in my eyes or were a pain in the azz to get them properly directed towards what I needed to see. I have found the most useful to me is a quality headlamp such as Fenix, always shines in the right direction.
 
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drygulch

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901, LA525, ever changing attachments
May 30, 2024
67
82
18
Georgia
www.ebay.com
I have always found trouble lights either blinded me in my eyes or were a pain in the azz to get them properly directed towards what I needed to see. I have found the most useful to me is a quality headlamp such as Fenix, always shines in the right direction.
Ditto. Seems like I'm constantly adjusting for different work angles.

Although dealing with batteries isn't ideal, and no headlight I've found has been perfect. Still better than a work light.

I personally prefer ones with a soft flood option.

Good luck.
 
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pgmrdan

Active member

Equipment
BX2380, L3902HST, Massey Harris Pony, Ford 3000, Bobcat 751 skid steer
Aug 16, 2017
201
80
28
USA
Thanks guys!
 

Elliott in GA

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LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Mar 10, 2021
744
726
93
North Georgia
$60 - but worth it. It is rechargeable, and it provides flood and/or spot.

 
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chim

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L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,117
1,234
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Near Lancaster, PA, USA
The old corded incandescent trouble lights got their name because they ARE trouble. When using a regular 100W light bulb they were real good at burning the back of my upper arm while working under the truck. I have a corded LED trouble light (no hot bulb) that can be handy. For several years I was in the headlamp camp. Most recently I've been using (and happy with) this DeWalt:

 

AM28

Active member

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Bx2360
Jul 7, 2024
125
149
43
Socialist WA State
I have several rechargeable icon and Braun magnetic lights. They work very well for just about everything I need to do. I gave up my corded lights a number of years ago.
 
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drygulch

Member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901, LA525, ever changing attachments
May 30, 2024
67
82
18
Georgia
www.ebay.com
The old corded incandescent trouble lights got their name because they ARE trouble.
Too funny.

My last Trouble Light with an incandescent bulb had a plastic housing and the whole time I'd be under a vehicle or some other inconvenient location, I'd be smelling/breathing smoldering plastic.
 

Runs With Scissors

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Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,437
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Michigan
My Love/Hate relationship with trouble lights goes back a long way.

After trying just about every conceivable one on the market I think I have found a "perfect enough" solution.

I began using the old school style trouble light with a "household LED" light in a pinch one day, after my 80 dollar "high end" LED fancy ass light burned out, and it has been amazing.

It has held up to some pretty good abuse, it does not get hot, and it puts off the just the right color light.

My local power company had a "sale" about 2 years ago and I went a little overboard and bought 4 cases of them. IIRC they were like 15 cents each back then, so I loaded up.

I have no idea if its the "brand" or if all LED's are this tough/good, but I am happy as a clam.

Although the cord does suck when it's cold out.

I have gotten well over 1 year out of this bulb.

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Here are 2 of the 4 cases I bought hahahahahha
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DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
6,237
4,816
113
North East CT
Notice where they are manufactured. We don't manufacture light bulbs in the United States because we can't compete with the cost of labor in the US.