Storage lighting suggestions

I have a 10x20 storage unit that has no power source.No outlets anywhere. I need to use a portable LED unit that is either rechargeable or use regular batteries. It needs to bright enough to to do work on a car engine bay as a primary area of focus. What are you guys using that works for you in your garage or storage unit? Prices are all over the map and reviews are not consistent for these devices. I have been on Amazon, Lowes, HD, Northern, HF and various websites. Budget is not to exceed $200.

There's no overhead light at all?

ross2004 wrote: There's no overhead light at all?

Nope

solar panels an option? solar plus LED can turn that space into a grow operation in terms of available lighting.

I'd be temped to grab something like this: 12V LED Headlight - Northern Tool

And plug it into something like this:

12V LED strips off ebay + 12V car battery + solar charger (something a bit larger than a "battery maintainer" type charger). Put it all together with some 12V wiring and a switch you probably already have.

Generator?

Ian F wrote: 12V LED strips off ebay + 12V car battery + solar charger (something a bit larger than a "battery maintainer" type charger). Put it all together with some 12V wiring and a switch you probably already have.

This. Easily cobbled together; solar panel from Harbor Freight, http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-12-volt-solar-panel-96418.html

lawn tractor battery from Wally World, http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-U1R-7-Lawn-Garden-Battery/16795214

LED lights from Amazon or eBay.

http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-White-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8

Solar cell charges battery and can run the LED's during the day. When the sun goes down the battery runs the LED's.

HF has LED work lights available that are 120v.

http://www.harborfreight.com/45-bulb-led-work-light-66310.html

You could possibly add a small inverter and use those instead. You'd still need the battery for nighttime use, though. Oh, one other thing: the light from those is blue, not white. I had a 'cool blue' LED in the Trooper's dome light and honestly wish I had gone with 'warm white' instead.

Need a little heat, too? http://gas-lights.com/humphrey-gas-lights.html

Ian F wrote: 12V LED strips off ebay + 12V car battery + solar charger (something a bit larger than a "battery maintainer" type charger). Put it all together with some 12V wiring and a switch you probably already have.

D'oh, beaten! Was going to say exactly this. Except a "battery maintainer" should be able to do the job, even if you're using it every night, but it will be marginal.

In reply to Curmudgeon:

Even the "warm white" is a bit on the blue side compared to even a CFL bulb. I found this out after buying a LED strip kit at Home Depot to light up some shelving I just installed. It's kinda annoying for what I'm using them for, but shouldn't be a big deal in a shed.

GameboyRMH wrote: D'oh, beaten! Was going to say exactly this. Except a "battery maintainer" should be able to do the job, even if you're using it every night, but it will be marginal.

I'd be leary of that. Maintainers are meant for just that - to maintain a fully charged battery. They don't put out much wattage to actually charge one. Especially if you discharge the battery down quite a bit.

Andd FWIW, while a car battery will work for this, if used a lot at night, eventually you'll want/need a deep-discharge RV-type battery.

Ian F wrote: In reply to Curmudgeon: Even the "warm white" is a bit on the blue side compared to even a CFL bulb. I found this out after buying a LED strip kit at Home Depot to light up some shelving I just installed. It's kinda annoying for what I'm using them for, but shouldn't be a big deal in a shed.

Yes they are. I made the mistake of specifically ordering the 'cool blue' though and it was pretty annoying. Gotta admit it was a good deal brighter than the regular bulb though. I will probably get some LED's for the Xterra at some point and will go warm white instead.

Regardless of what you power off of a 12 volt source around the vehicle, you may just want to resolve yourself to wearing a headlamp as well...

In reply to Curmudgeon:

Bright they are. Until I added some trim to hide the light along the front edge of the shelf, they lit up the entire room. The CRI really sucks, tho... so at some point I'll probably look for some really "warm white" versions so what I'm lighting up (guitars on hangers below the shelf) look better. A cherry sunburst Les Paul never looked so flat...