Also known as the Light board or housing, the Light head is supported on the Locline and contains the light strips.  Light heads come in various sizes from 12 inches long by 5 inches wide up to 20 inches long by 12 inches wide.  Most light strips use LED (light emitting diode) technology, but other technologies are used.  You can also specify different light strip colors (warm, cool, green, orange, etc), the most common colors are warm and cool.

Lenses fit on the Light head and can also come in a variety of types. Typically the lenses are white and diffuse the light from the LED strips. Colored lenses, like from 3D Reflection can be installed. These colored lenses have different patterns and colors to match your training and preferences.

Allows you to attach your light directly to the car while you’re working. The standard suction cup has a simple hand pump to build pressure and attach it to the car.

 

Some lights have an electrically powered mounting system that keeps a constant vacuum on the suction cup and prevents the light from falling off the car.

Most lights are connected from the mounting to the light head with flexible Locline. Locline typically has the power wiring running through the center and can be adjusted to position the light in the best position. Some Locline has re-enforcing rings to hold larger lights.

All lights need a power source to keep them lit. There are several options used in PDR.

Manufacturer Batteries

Several PDR light companies design their lights to work with compact batteries, specific to their light.  These batteries are typically very compact, lightweight and cost effective.

“Power Tool” Batteries

Several PDR Lights use power tool batteries as a power source.  Dewalt, Makita and Milwaukee are the most common brands of batteries available.  These batteries are useful if you already own and use these batteries for other uses.

Cigarette (12V) Plug

The Light head is the key item for PDR technicians.  The light head range in size from 36 inches long by 7 inches wide to up to 48 inches long by 12 inches wide.  Most lights use LED (light emitting diode) technology, but other technologies are used.  You can also specify different light strip colors (warm, cool, green, orange, etc), the most common colors are warm and cool.  Most lights have separate switches on the light head to individually control which light strips are on.

 

Lenses fit on the Light head and can also come in a variety of types. Typically the lenses are white and diffuse the light from the LED strips. Colored lenses, like from 3D Reflection can be installed. These colored lenses have different patterns and colors to match your training and preferences.

There are several options to connecting the light to the light stand.  Here’s a brief listing of connections.

Traditional Collar (Pro PDR, Dead-On-Dent Tools)
Extendable End Mount (Pro-PDR)
Never-Loose Magnetic Collar

Most Large Hail PDR Lights are supported on a rolling Light stand.

There are several things to consider when selecting a light stand.

• Can the light stand support the light and position it where you need it (keep in mind the roof height of a lifted, 4×4 truck)
• How easy is it to adjust and lock the stand into position to prevent needing to adjust the stand?  What about locking wheels to keep the stand in place?
• Is the stand durable and built to withstand moving around a parking lot, garage or transport
• Is weight important, especially for air travel and packaging?
• Do I want to match my company branding with a great color?

Large Hail PDR Lights usually require 12v power, up to 10amps for every 3 strips.  The majority of technicians use a large, deep cell battery with more than 30 amp-hours of capacity.  The battery can be an AGM (absorbed glass mat) type or lead acid type.  Many technicians use an AGM type if they will be moving around, as they are more durable, especially if the battery can be stored on it’s side (lead acid batteries could leak in that situation).

 

An AC-DC Power converter can be used to power the light if properly sized for continuous use.  The AC-DC Power converter (think computer power supply) is plugged into wall outlet power and converts the power to 12V to power the light. A 12V, 10amp power converter will typically power 3 strips on a 46 inch light.  Consider a larger size if powering more strips at one time.