CENTRAL.E.D. WORK LIGHT
CentraL.E.D. Work Light, retail $199.95 (www.centraled.net/worklight.html...)
Manufactured by Central Tools Inc. (www.centraled.net)
Last updated 07-25-14
(In reference to the box I received from Central Tools at 10:10am PDT on 04-21-06):
{sung like the Foreigner song "Feels Like the First Time"}
Feels like a flaaaaaash-liiiight...feels like a FL
BREAK IN 50276
READY.
CONT
?OUT OF DATA ERROR IN 65535
READY.
Let's try that again...as soon as I started to open the package, I *knew* it wasn't a flashlight...
Feels like a worrrrrrrrk-liiiiiiight...feels like a WORRRRRR-rrrrk-light!!!
Feels like a worrrrrrrrk-liiiiiiight...feels like a WORRRRRR-rrrrk-light!!!
The CentraL.E.D. Work Light, model 100LED (hereinafter just called a "Work Light") is a bright and versatile light, designed primarily for automotive work, but suitable for other jobs too.
It features seven multi-die high-intensity white LEDs (a Lamina Ceramics array-type module) at the end of a flexible illuminurinator...er...uh...illuminator head, a sealed NiMH rechargeable battery inside to power those LEDs with, and very strong magnets on the bottom and side of its body that allow it to be affixed to any reasonably flat ferrous (magnetic) metal surface. The body is composed of a tough plastic & metal combination with a rubber overmould.
SIZE
This product is ready to use as soon as you remove it from its included case, but as with any rechargeable device, it is *ALWAYS* a good idea to charge it prior to first use. So do that first (see directly below), and then you'll be ready to rock.
Press the round rubberised button on the right side of the product near the top until it clicks and then release it to turn the LEDs on; press & release it the same way again to turn the LEDs off.
There are very strong magnets on the bottom and on the left side of the product; you may "stick" the unit to any reasonably flat, magnetic (iron, mild steel, cobalt, or nickel) surface using these magnets. Here, allow me to show you with these photographs:
Photograph of the product affixed to a ferrous surface (a steel plate under the doorknob on my bedroom door in this case) from the magnets on its bottom.
Photograph of the product affixed to a ferrous surface from the magnets on its side.
The product was not in *ANY WAY* supported by the doorknob in either photograph.
A hook on the front end of the product allows you to hang it from a rod or pipe with a maximum diameter of approximately 1.75".
The Work Light has a flexible neck, so that you may direct (aim) the light wherever it is needed. The head of the light attaches to the hook, so it stays out of the way when the product is in storage or is otherwise not needed (see the photograph near the top of this web page to see how this hook is affixed to the head).
There are no disposable batteries to change in this Work Light; so I don't have to tell you which part to dash to the floor or ground and stomp on with old or used bowling shoes or which part to kick in the garden so the hungry praying mantids will think it's something to eat and subsequently strike at. 
Plug the end of the cord on the "wall wart" charger into the receptacle for it at the lower rear of the Work Light, and plug the large cube into any household 110-130 volts AC receptacle.
A red LED will illuminate on the bottom right of the product; this indicates charging is in progress.
When the red LED turns green, this indicates that the charge cycle is complete, and you may then unplug the charger cord from the product itself and unplug the wall-wart from the AC receptacle.
Runtime on a fully-charged battery is advertised as 3 hours conservatively; but is very likely to be 4 hours if you take care of the unit (batteries) reasonably well.
The AC charger cum emergency power supply is equipped with a cord of ~168" (14') in length.
Photograph of the front of the illuminator head, showing the LEDs and lens.
This is a work light, not a flashlight meant to be carried around, thrashed, trashed, and abused; so I won't try to drown it in the toilet, bash it against a steel rod or against the corner of a concrete stair, let my ex-housemate's kitty cat's ghost go to the bathroom on it, run over it with a 400lb Rascal, or perform other indecencies on it that a regular flashlight might have to go through. So this section of the web page will be significantly more bare than this section of the web page on a page about a flashlight that was born to be a flashlight.
(Update 04-24-06): I have been given explicit written consent (not implied oral consent) to perform "The Smack Test" on this product. I gave it 15 vigorous whacks against the corner of a concrete stair (five whacks each against the left & right sides of its body, and five whacks against the side of the illuminator head), and I actually found *LESS* than the expected amount & type of damage: there is one *VERY MINOR* scuff mark on the right side of the body where it was struck. No optical or electrical malfunctions were detected. I was actually a little surprised at such a minor amount of damage; I was expecting more just due to the sheer mass of the product. 
So this product is a glutton for punishment; though I suggest you don't just go beating yours around on purpose.
The beam produced by the Work Light is circular in configuration with a 40° viewing angle, and is remarkably even from one edge to the opposite edge, A small area of slightly brighter light exists at the center, but this is only noticeable if the light is shined at a white or light-colored wall or ceiling.
The product uses a Lamina Ceramics array of 7 LEDs with a total of 42 dice (light-emitting regions); model BL-2000. The output is somewhat focused into a circular beam with a positive (magnifying) lens. The lens that focuses the light was made by Illumitech; a lot of thought and money went into its design; which is probably why it is protected by a transparent plastic window. 
As a footnote here, this is the first known commercial product using a Lamina Ceramics array-type LED module.
Being rechargeable means you'll never have to worry about buying disposable batteries for it; and since its light source is LEDs, you'll never have to replace a blub in it either.
It comes in a hard-sided storage case with a foam liner; this liner has cutouts for the unit itself and for its AC charger. You may securely store the Work Light in this case when it is not being used.
If the internal batteries poop out but you still need light, you may plug the charger in and still get light; the batteries will not charge in this condition, but the unit will *NOT* be damaged by operating like this either.
Beam photograph on the test target at 12".
Measures 275,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.
Remember, wider viewing angles always, always, ALWAYS equal lower mcd values.
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this Work Light.
Same as above; newer software & settings used.
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this work light; newest (01-13-13) spectrometer software settings used.
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this work light; newest (01-13-13) spectrometer software settings used. Spectrometer's response narrowed to a band between 455nm and 465nm to pinpoint native emission peak wavelength, which is 457.170nm.
The raw spectrometer data (tab-delimited that can be loaded into Excel) is at http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/46/clwl.txt
Spectrographic analysis of the "charge cycle complete" LED in this Work Light.
USB2000 Spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.
Beam photograph on a wall at ~15'.
Those rectangular graphic things near the bottom are marquees from:
Cinematronics ''Star Castle''
Gremlin/Sega ''Astro Blaster''
Jaleco ''Exerion''
Venture Line ''Looping''
Sega ''Hang-On''
Williams ''Stargate''
Sega ''Star Trek''
Nintendo ''R-Type''
upright coin-op arcade video games from the 1980s.
Beam photograph on a ceiling, deliberately underexposed by 2
stops to show the slightly brighter central area of its beam.
TEST NOTES:
Product was sent by B.P. of Central Tools, Inc. and was received on the morning of 04-21-06.
Product was made in the United States out of domestic and foreign components. A product's country of origin really does matter to some people, which is why I published it on this web page.
The charger is rated to output 12 volts DC at 1A (1,000mA).
Center of plug is (+) positive, outer can is (-) negative.
UPDATE: 05-06-06
I used the Work Light late this afternoon to see what was making that squeaky noise behind the toilet bowl. I did not find any little squeaky rats, and did not find any mouse holes either. Musta just been hearing things.
PROS:
Very bright, circular, smooth beam
Rechargeable - never have to buy batteries for it
Uses an LED - never have to change a bub
Magnetic mounts mean you can stick it to ferrous surfaces
Much more durable than I thought it would be
Charger can be used as emergency power supply if necessary
CONS:
A bit on the heavy side
MANUFACTURER: Central Tools Inc.
PRODUCT TYPE: Work light
LAMP TYPE: Lamina Ceramics multi-die white LED (6 dice in each LED)
No. OF LAMPS: 7 (42 dice total)
BEAM TYPE: Wide spot with sharp perimeter
SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton on/off on side of product
CASE MATERIAL: Metal & plastic w/rubber overmould
BEZEL: Rubber; LED array protected by plastic window (lens)
BATTERY: Internal 9.6 volt NiMH battery
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
WATER RESISTANT: Yes; splatter-resistant at minimum
SUBMERSIBLE: NO WAY HOZAY!!!
ACCESSORIES: AC charger, hard-sided case
WARRANTY: 3 years on light head; 1 year on rest of product
PRODUCT RATING:
CentraL.E.D. Work Light * www.centraled.net/worklight.html
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