While it’s something that not everyone considers, Ring Automotive argues that lighting is important for a workshop, as it allows technicians to clearly see the vehicle and make an informed decision on their diagnosis.
It’s a common sight in a workshop, when a technician is working on a vehicle, they will regularly have a work lamp of some description either in their hand, on their head or attached to the vehicle. This requires a work lamp that is durable, long lasting and bright. Ring Automotive has developed a range of work lamps suitable for every technician’s needs.
Depending on the job or the preference of the technician, there are a range of work lamps to choose from, and as previously stated, some may prefer to wear them, some may like to attach them to the vehicle. Ring has a vast collection of work lamps, some that are magnetic, others attach to the bonnet, others can tilt 360˚.
Inspection lamps
Most of Ring’s inspection lamps are under its MAGflex range that provides extremely bright light, even in the darkest work situation.
The MAGflex twist LED inspection lamp (RIL3600C) has a bright, wide angle light output of 450 lumens and 250 lumens on power save mode, making it ideal for technicians. Lightweight, tough and with a 360º rotation and 180º ratcheting, it is said to be the ultimate tool for directional lighting in the workshop with no compromise on light, as well as a magnet and integrated hook for hands free use.
Designed with versatility in mind, the MAGflex utility lamp (RIL3700C) combines dual, magnetic ratcheting bases with a 360° rotating body. This means that the lamp can either be used freestanding or hands-free, positioned in any number of ways to ensure that the workspace is properly illuminated. With 1,000 lumens output, the lamp can be used as a larger light or an under-bonnet light, as well it being using for close-up inspections.
For a slim inspection lamp to get light into the narrowest spaces in the engine bay, look no further than the MAGflex slim (RIL3800C). It emits up to 250 lumens, with 6000K white light, for comfortable working conditions. Ideal for broad illumination as well as lighting up narrow gaps. It also features a torch function for a concentrated beam which is 125 lumens and helps when looking into the small spaces in an engine bay.
The MAGflex MAX500 (RIL6200) provides a crisp bright white light where it is needed the most. This smaller 500 lumen multi-angled inspection lamp is tested to IP65 and IK08 and operates for up to 7.5 hours from a single charge. For a slimmer and longer version of this lamp, Ring recommends its MAGFLEX SLIM500.
Ring’s under bonnet inspection lamp (RUBL2000) is perfect for illuminating any engine bay and suitable to mount onto any vehicle. This 1,200-lumen inspection lamp has been tested to IP65 impact rating, IK07 weatherproof rating, and operates for up to 4.5 hours from a single charge.
Launched in the last year to upgrade two of its MAGflex range is the MAGflex pro fast charge LED inspection lamp (RIL4200/REIL4200) and the MAGflex slim fast charge LED inspection lamp (RIL4300/REIL4300), both of which were able to recharge from flat in just one hour. Ring has introduced a wireless magnetic pad that can charge these two new lamps with the new references RIL7100 for the RIL4200 and RIL7200 for the RIL4300.
Magnetic charger pads are not a new phenomenon, however they are very rare in the automotive industry, but they provide technicians with an easy solution to charge their work lamps, as it’s quicker than pausing to plug the lamp in. To further upgrade these work lamps, Ring has increased the lumens from 500 to 600, giving professionals even brighter illumination of dark spaces and increasing their ability to see further.
Another new work lamp that Ring has launched is the MAGFLEX1000 (RUBL1500), an LED strip light that can be twisted, bent and contorted into all kinds of shapes, making it incredibly versatile for a host of environments.
It also comes with a stretchable strap with fixing hooks at either end that twist 180 degrees, allowing the lamp to span a wide area, such as under the bonnet, between vehicle doors when doing interior work, across the underside of the car or mounted to the ramp as a site light.
It has four light settings, which changes how long it can be used before needing a charge, for instance, on the low light setting (400 lumens), it can last for 20 hours, on the middle setting, it’ll give light for six and a half hours and on the highest light output, which is 1,000 lumens, it’ll last for three hours. The fourth light setting is a red-light option.
Wearable lamps
If a technician finds it easier to work with a head torch or neck light, Ring also has many options available. The MAGflex HEADTORCH250 (RIL6400) provides a crisp bright white light where it is needed the most. This 250 lumen headtorch, equipped with a motion sensor, is tested to IP54 and IK07 and operates for up to six hours from a single charge.
Designed for close quarter work, the flat design of the flexible head torch (RIL0115) allows technicians to see even further into the engine bay, without any of the knocking or bumping that may happen with a protruding headtorch. The 115 lumens output is bright enough for clear illumination of a wide area and has an adjustable head strap.
Ring’s wearable neck light (RIL0265) is a versatile alternative to a head torch. With up to 265 lumen output and detachable magnetic torches, this multi-angled inspection lamp is tested to IP65 and IK07 standards and can operate for up to four and a half hours from a single charge. It also has an ergonomically designed neck band making it comfortable to wear for technicians.
Alternatively, a product that has been mentioned previously is the MAGFLEX1000 which can be worn around the body if desired.
Pocket lamps
There’s also the option for pocket lamps, that can be kept in a pocket and accessed instantly. The Ring RIL90 is a mini-LED lamp that comes with a magnetic base for hands-free working and placement anywhere in the workshop with a 18-degree flexible base. It has a bright 140 lumen light output and comes supplied with AAA batteries.
The Ring RIL91 is a rechargeable mini- LED lamp, similar to the RIL90, it comes with a magnetic base for hands-free working. It has a bright 140 lumen light output and is rechargeable via micro-USB, meaning no need to spend extra money on replacement batteries.
Another option if technicians require hands free working is the RIL51, a small, lightweight inspection lamp. It has eight LEDs for a bright, white light, with seven hours continuous operating time from one set of batteries. The integrated pocket clip has a magnet for hands free working and it swivels for precise, directed light.
Marketing director, Henry Bisson, commented: “Work lamps are incredibly popular with technicians, they’re useful and continuously needed in a workshop, so a technician wants a collection that will adapt to their needs.”
He continued “These lights allow them to work more efficiently and means they do not have to strain their eyes to see the job they need to work on, so a bright light helps them in a host of ways.
“We are continuing to adapt our range and bring in new and exciting products to assist technicians in their day to day jobs. They need lamps that charge quickly and last the entire working day, hence our new wireless charging pads, they need lamps that get into the small spaces that they cannot see properly, introducing the flexible light that can be put into an engine bay without a struggle. When we are developing new products, technicians are at the forefront of our minds and how we can help them, which is why we have such a vast range to suit every need.”
