I've been cruising the internet lately thinking I need another project and have money burning a whole in my pocket. One thing I've been wanting to build lately is an area light. This is the kind of light that you turn on at camp at night if you pull in late and have to set up camp. I also thought it would be handy for cooking and repairs.
There are different versions commercially available but I wanted to build something. Custom is always nice but I wanted something that would do the job and be much more affordable.
Hella makes a lot of different models but they are halogen and HID and will pull more juice than I want.
There are a few companies making led work lights and others are using the led light bars but they are all pretty expensive. They are really nice but out of my budget.
So here is what I'm thinking for making one. It'll be 4 high powered leds. 2 will be a spot and 2 will be a flood. I'm thinking 2 switches that will allow me to have the spots on, floods on or both. The leds will run at 1 amp per 2 leds and be housed in something that is cheap and give me different mounting options. Some guys are putting these lights on poles but I'm thinking magnet mount, swivel, roof rack mounted or free standing (Paddlenbike mentioned a Gorilla Pod). The plug will be a 12V cigarette lighter socket that will allow me to move it between vehicles and plug it into my porta power and take it anywhere.
I've ordered parts and hit up Home Depot so the damage has begun. I'm uploading some pictures now so I'll update. Any suggestions will be great. Currently my only concern will be heat. I've never made anything that runs 4 leds on 2 amps total so I'm not sure how hot this thing'll get. I've got some aluminum so I plan on making some heat sinks.