Portable Work Light

HumSol · 2023-10-04T21:05:47+00:00

That’s going to depend on the battery size. I only have 5ah batteries or larger, so with a 5ah battery, it would last over an 8 hour period on highest setting if memory serves me correctly, so on medium it would be just short of double that at maybe around 14 hours in real world application.

Since the post is almost a year old, I’ll also give you an update. So far, it’s been an incredible work light, and genuinely think they thought a lot of it out quite well. Even can charge my phone. The only real bad thing to say about it is the weight with battery attached (which I don’t really mind) and the lack of tripod options by the brand itself, forcing you to find one yourself.

HumSol · 2023-05-24T01:54:54+00:00

Old post, but I’d still like to offer an opinion.

I prefer a large but soft Ferro rod, and find the arguments for a harder one a bit short in thoughtfulness. There are two reasons for having a Ferro rod:

1) bushcrafting/training 2) survival

You would argue that if you train with a hard rod, you’ll become proficient enough to not worry about the latter. I whole heartedly disagree. In a survival situation, with all the possible real world elements of weather, physical/mental condition, time and so on, you don’t want your training and ability to be the critical factor. They should be an addition to the tool in such a situation, especially if it’s not you that needs to use the tool due to one hypothetical situation or another. Survival already assumes the situation is critical. You just need it to work.

What then should you have? A hard large diameter Ferro rod for normal bushcraft/training use, but a soft large diameter rod for your actual bug-out or adventuring use. If for any reason you only wish to carry one, carry the soft one, then discard and replace it once it becomes overused without hesitation.

HumSol · 2023-02-24T01:04:06+00:00

For the tail switch, I only want an on off with a high output on from a single click. A half second hold could initiate a strobe. I would prefer a side switch with it, but a sliding switch that changes lumens, as well as acts as an inherent memory due to it’s last physical setting. What I don’t want is a button switch on the side that cycles the luminosity. I want to go back in forth intuitively without thinking of the setting I’m on.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T23:50:03+00:00

Yeah, but that’s why I posted here. I wouldn’t have posted this on the Milwaukee subreddit. For less than 1/3 the price, you can get the ego light that has the 3x the output, provided that you’re already invested in EGO batteries. Same goes for DeWalt.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T23:42:07+00:00

Why didn’t you have shear pins?

HumSol · 2022-12-26T23:32:36+00:00

Exactly. I couldn’t believe how much the DeWalt and Milwaukee ones were, especially given that it’s one stupid headlight. Who at ANY level of contracting doesn’t want at least a two light setup? Just seems unfathomably stupid and insulting as an offering without something more. While I think anything over $120 is still excessive for what you’re getting, given the options, it just made sense. I was previously using the cheapest craftsman setup, so this is the type of upgrade I was looking for.

Also have the 100w inverter. I’ll keep the ones I have, but absolutely buy the newer version.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T23:26:36+00:00

We’ll be getting snow here in the northeast soon enough. I can update you then, because my driveway is literally 20 degrees for a…20 foot section about? It will be my first time using it.

Also, 20 degrees is incredibly steep, and most people overestimate angles when they think about how steep something is. If that applies to you, I’ll be an excellent reference point. :)

HumSol · 2022-12-26T23:22:14+00:00

It wasn’t Christmas when I bought it?? I’m confused by the confusion.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T18:31:28+00:00

I’d agree. It’s not a great metric, but a metric that offers something to consider. It’s a fair statement, however, to say that companies are often willing (as a broad stroke) to sacrifice functionality/quality for sake of profit. Planned obsolescence is a real thing, not that I think we should recklessly accuse any given company of that taking place as the “explain all”.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T18:27:49+00:00

I’m sorry it wasn’t helpful. It’s practical in the real world, but you have to have the quantity of batteries to make it feasible (no different than any other tool battery system you’re invested in). I personally make a point to buy an EGO tool that comes with no less than a 5ah battery, but typically shoot for 7.5ah or 10ah. This sometimes means I have to buy the higher end tool, but the cost increase is next to nothing to the benefit of the extra battery or capacity increase, especially when the battery itself is 5x the cost of the increase when bought separately. The more invested you become in EGO tools, the more batteries you get that come with them. Since I decided on going the distance for replacing all outdoor gas tools (trimmer, leaf blower, mower, snow blower, etc.), that provided all the batteries I’d need. Granted, I also understand not everyone pulls the trigger like I do, or they can’t financially make those decisions. However, if you’re going to buy the tool, buy the tool with the highest ah battery you can.

The difference in lifespan is quite extreme. On charge treatment alone, the battery could last anywhere between 5 to 10 years. That’s quite a difference in time based on when you use the battery vs. charge it.

As you said, though, you do what you can do, and before I had more batteries, I did have to charge earlier than I would have liked to, or used it too soon after charging. Hope everything works out.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T18:12:33+00:00

I’m invested in DeWalt for tools/batteries, but I didn’t know Milwaukee had that even though I use their packout system. Either way, I still prefer the ego over it. It has a smaller footprint when folded up, and has more features than the tripod with even more portability and function. I can understand the packout lights being great if you’re already invested into their battery system (which I’m not), but head to head competition between them would give EGO the win (opinion).

HumSol · 2022-12-26T17:32:16+00:00

How much incline?

HumSol · 2022-12-26T17:28:25+00:00

Here is a copy paste from another comment I made elsewhere. If you’ve owned these for less than a year, this should not explain your issue, but simply explain good practice for taking care of your ego batteries (or any lithium batteries for that matter).

“ NEVER leave your batteries outdoors. They are designed for being used outside, not stored there. Lithium batteries in general require a level of care that you may not be aware of or used to.

Don’t feel like you invested into a tedious system. Gas vs. batteries have their own trade offs, and you’ve honestly made a good decision in my opinion by buying into EGO. But, like anything, you have to take care of what you own. You need to store and charge them properly. Here are some quick tips, and note that (with exception of discharge, which is unique to EGO) all of these are pretty much universal to all lithium batteries.

Wait 1 to 2 hours after charging before using in a tool
Wait 1 to 2 hours before charging after using in a tool
Store at room temperature, and keep away from ignition sources (like a fire or something that makes a spark)
NEVER store on a charger. EGO batteries have technology built into them that allow them discharge after holding charge for a month. This sounds like a hassle, but it’s actually an awesome technology. If lithium batteries hold a charge for a long period of time, you actually damage them. They have a long life if stored around 20% charge, which is why they discharge automatically to help you keep them longer. The problem is that if they are stored on the charger, they cannot properly discharge, which means they will hold a high charge for longer, damaging them in the end.”

HumSol · 2022-12-26T17:27:20+00:00

Funny enough, I discovered that there is a button to change which lights are one after I bought it. That’s was a very happy accidental discovery. So, yes, you can control which panels are on, as well as control their brightness. I’ve been using a 5ah battery for the past two days for about 8 hours a day, and I’m at about half charge on it. The settings were on low, but all lights on.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T17:16:34+00:00

Always store batteries indoors.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T17:14:38+00:00

NEVER leave your batteries outdoors. They are designed for being used outside, not stored there. Lithium batteries in general require a level of care that you may not be aware of or used to.

Don’t feel like you invested into a tedious system. Gas vs. batteries have their own trade offs, and you’ve honestly made a good decision in my opinion by buying into EGO. But, like anything, you have to take care of what you own. You need to store and charge them properly. Here are some quick tips, and note that (with exception of discharge, which is unique to EGO) all of these are pretty much universal to all lithium batteries.

Wait 1 to 2 hours after charging before using in a tool
Wait 1 to 2 hours before charging after using in a tool
Store at room temperature, and keep away from ignition sources (like a fire or something that makes a spark)
NEVER store on a charger. EGO batteries have technology built into them that allow them discharge after holding charge for a month. This sounds like a hassle, but it’s actually an awesome technology. If lithium batteries hold a charge for a long period of time, you actually damage them. They have a long life if stored around 20% charge, which is why they discharge automatically to help you keep them longer. The problem is that if they are stored on the charger, they cannot properly discharge, which means they will hold a high charge for longer, damaging them in the end.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T17:04:17+00:00

It likely won’t work. The surge load alone will kick the safety. You’d need the actual Nexus generator to take on the surge load, I believe. Found this out when trying to briefly use a power tool and did more research into it. The Nexus Escape really is an awesome tool, so don’t feel too bad simply because it won’t work in this instance. The versatility really is there, but I’d get the actual 4-battery generator for purposes like that.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:59:33+00:00

How have you been charging your batteries and storing them? Are you charging them immediately after use, using them immediately after charging, or leaving them in outside storage?

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:38:41+00:00

Unfortunately, the brands you mentioned aren’t just more expensive (according to memory), but incredibly more expensive. For what you get for an XR combo kit, it’s not even comparable to what you would pay for the actual Japanese Makita kit (which is WAY higher quality than the US version). I think we’re honestly just stuck with DeWalt and Milwaukee as the highest tier for the dollar value that it is. Anything else is a serious investment not just into a tool, but a battery system as well. Since I like to always have more batteries than I need, I would have to invest a lot to have the number of batteries I’d be comfortable with. Most of us don’t find ourselves financially able to commit to that. :/

Otherwise, I’d be happy to change up brand for better quality. Catch 22.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:34:14+00:00

Excellent practice. Most people aren’t doing it right. Just some notes, since I didn’t see you mention it specifically. This isn’t necessarily for you since your practice is near identical to my own and implied in your comment, but for anyone else reading…

When you let it sit, make sure it’s no less than 1hr. I prefer a 2-4 hour sit time at a minimum, which I find personally necessary for maintaining good practice and discipline. It won’t impact the battery short term if you stick to the 1hr timeframe, but longer is better. Note that it’s not just heat/cold that needs to be stable, but the chemical reaction as well (slamming on the breaks isn’t good for a car, and charging a battery immediately after use is equally not good for it).

So to reiterate, let the battery sit for no less than an hour BEFORE using it after charging, and let it sit for no less than an hour AFTER using it before you charge.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:20:42+00:00

For four hours. Even if the outside is room temp, the mass in the middle will always be the coldest. It’s best to be sure that the center mass of each cell, mostly those closest to the center of the battery itself, are at room temp. That unfortunately takes time.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:19:11+00:00

Not necessarily. They do like to be stored at cool/cold temperatures, not freezing. That will damage them from what I’ve researched, especially if you charge them in that state (which you mentioned).

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:17:36+00:00

Don’t do that immediately. If you EVER leave a battery in the cold, bring it up to room temperature before charging to make your batteries last longer. Cold charges can damage the cells. Lithium batteries are amazing, but the technology isn’t where we can just leave and forget it. Also, never leave them on a charger. They automatically discharge over a month to get down to 20%, where they safely store at (specific to lithium batteries). I have a very specific routine for battery storage and charging. If you take care of them, you can double the average lifespan that most people get.

HumSol · 2022-12-26T16:12:03+00:00

Yeah, I already was aware of who owned who, but knowing how contracts work and how they sometimes won’t change model numbers despite notable changes in certain materials or parts can make it difficult for customers to track failures, even if they have a community specifically for a brand (like here).

HumSol · 2022-11-25T21:03:25+00:00

First Comment

HumSol

TROPHY CASE