night work

[Craig Lawrence]

This question is for those of you who do flat work at night. What type of spot lights do you use and how do you set them up. I just landed the first of what I hope to be many commercial jobs. Any tips you could share would be appreaciated.

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Craig Lawrence
Leisure Time Decks

 

[Richard]

Craig,
we run Landa's and we run 500 watt floods,we just plug into the out let on the machine, the floods have spring clamps on em and we can clamp them almost anywhere, but you could also use floods on an extension type stand. You could probally also mount them to the ladder rack or the corners of a trailer if thats what you run.

Richard

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[Walt Graner]

I don't like to pull off the power washer myself. I use a little Honda generator, welded up some 8' polls, mounted two 500's on each and put some larger pipes with a bolt (for snugging) on various points on truck / trailer. Most of my jobs I use tractor headlights as work lights off of the truck.

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti

 

[Jim&Shirley]

Hey CRAIG,
WE ALSO USE 2-500 WATT WORKLIGHTS,Also going to add 2-more.
THAT YOU CAN also RUN OFF EXTENION CORD WHERE AVAILABLE,
But also when you can, try to get your self a Generator
they really come in handy for work and at home,
we have a 8000-watt that will run anything we have on Truck&Trailer and at home for Emergencys,

Not that you need one this big,but in our case big is better and only paid $1200.00.
hope this helps, just our thoughts.


JIM & SHIRLEY



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[Dave Olson]

In many cases the lights from the building put off enough light to see doing flatwork.

We have a 45 Kw Genset on our primary truck (all of our pumps have electric motors). We use 150, 300, and 500 watt lights as needed. Some have a tripod others have an individual base.

To increase productivity and for added security we always try to have a crew of two.

Dave Olson

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Tidy Powerwash Service, Inc. P.O. Box 781, Catlin, Illinois 61817 Phone 217-427-5557, Fax 217-427-2632 We are a commercial cleaning contractor serving East-Central Illinois and West Central Indiana since 1984. http://www.tps-inc.com/preswash.htm

 

[Cody]

<FONT COLOR="e87400">Hey Craig

You can pick up a set of lights from Home Depot or Lowes. Just get any set of twin 500 watt halogen work lamps on an extendable tripod. They sell between $50 & $100 I use the cheapest ones since I usually break em before the break them selves. (They tend to get knocked over once in a while) You'll want one set per operator and as much extension cord as you have hose. If you don't have a generator you'll definalely need one, 3000w should do you fine & preferrably a Honda of course, but if your tight on cash I would suggest an Enduro XL with a Tecumseh motor from Lowes (about $400). I HAD to buy one a couple of years ago for a rig I had to get up and running ASAP. I could'nt get a Honda anywhere because of a Hurricane that was comming thru so Generators were going like wildfire, so i got this one and I have to say it's been a good one

GL
Cody</FONT c>



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<FONT COLOR="e87400">
Hydro-Emulsification Surface Preparation Specialist </FONT c>

 

[Jon]

I also got mine at Lowe's for around $59, removed the base and used the extension polls they came with and mounted them to the tank support.

2 500 watts run of a Yamaha generator. I do need a larger generator since those lights take it all, when I need to run my sump pump I turn off one light.

Cody do you move your lights around or swivel them from where they are mounted? I have never broken one, YET but do carry spare elements just in case.

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

 

[Craig Lawrence]

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to reply. I will invest in a small generator and the halogen lights. My original concern was running extension cords off the building, I did not want to be moving cords all the time, plus the shock hazard. I will be ordering a hot water machine next week and will ask if it has outlets on it as well. (did not realize they came this way). Thanks again all!!!

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Craig Lawrence
Leisure Time Decks

 

[rvagnoni]

I have lights mounted on my trucks ladder rack which I use if insufficient lighting is present on the work sites. I also carry portable halogen lights I can plug in from a converter off my truck if need be.

Looking into a generator also. Probably your best bet if you do a lot of this type work.

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Rick - Deck Care Plus
Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best.
--David O. McKay

 

[Mike Hughes]

Originally posted by Craig Lawrence:
I will be ordering a hot water machine next week and will ask if it has outlets on it as well. (did not realize they came this way). Thanks again all!!!

Craig,

It depends on if the burner is AC powered, or DC powered. No chance of plugging anything in if it is DC........but, AC it might be possible.

Generally, AC powered burner systems cost more and are considered to be more heavy duty.

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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA

 

[Jackrabbit]

This problem could also be answered with a rack of car or truck headlights, wired in parallel configuration with a DC power supply. The parallel wiring will lower the circuit resistance and put less load on the DC supply. It also covers you if one of the bulbs bites the dust. The draw from the AC supply will be less to power the DC converter than to drive the halogen lamps. With a little effort you could probably find halogen lamps in a junk yard and cop a box for a decent price.

JRabbit

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Hey Craig congratulation on landing that nighttime commercial job.


I have generators on casters that have lights mounted. (Telescopic poles so you can move the lights)

All my equipment has 110 plugs so we can use them for small stuff. (Clamps for easy use)

Most commercial building has 110 outlets around the building.

If there are any landscape lights ceiling lights you can remove their bulbs and attach a cord so you can plug in their.

I also have portable twelve volts but never use them. (Auto zone sells a 12volt that plugs in the cigarette lighter)


Just get a 12-volt light and alligator clamps and use your battery on your unit.

You can also bye a power converter and convert the battery to 110.

Tons of options, it seems I have done them all one time or another.

Small mag light attachments on the wands. (Works great in trash bins)


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Ron Marshal Phoenix AZ
1-888-fleetwash

[This message has been edited by Ron Marshal (edited March 17, 2001).]