The ScanGrip Nova 6K C+R work light is a 6000 lumen COB LED lamp that runs on its battery or on a mains cable. You stand it up or hang it as general workshop lighting: to light a whole side of the car in one go, to see under the bonnet, or to brighten a garage where the ceiling lights fall short. For the best result with this rechargeable ScanGrip work light, pick the light level to suit the job, hang it at an angle above or beside the panel and charge the battery before you start.
Below you will find the key specs, a step-by-step routine for everyday use and the mistakes we see most often. Mainly after a lamp to judge paint and polishing? Then read our guide to choosing a detailing light.
Key specs of the ScanGrip Nova 6K C+R
Item | Value | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
Luminous flux | 6000 lumens (max) | Plenty of light for large areas and dark corners |
Light intensity | 8000 lux at 0.5 m | Bright light up close, useful for close work |
Power | 42W COB LED (max) | Even light from a single light source |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours on the lowest level, about 1 hour at full power | You choose between long runtime and maximum light |
Charging time | About 2 hours | Ready again for the next job |
Power supply | Battery or 5 m cable, 100 to 240V | No downtime when the battery runs flat |
Housing | Die-cast aluminium, IP67 | Shock resistant (IK07), dust tight and water resistant |
How to do it
Charge the battery first. A full charge takes about 2 hours, so put the lamp on the charger the evening before. The display on the back shows how much battery is left and the remaining runtime. Tip: check it before a long job, not halfway through.
Choose the position. The housing has a carrying handle and a flexible bracket, so you can stand the lamp on the floor, hang it or mount it on a stand. With a magnetic bracket you can put it on a lift or steel frame. Tip: light from above at an angle causes less glare than light straight from the front.
Set the brightness. The lamp has five levels: 600, 1500, 3000, 4500 and 6000 lumens. Start at 3000 lumens and go up when you need more light. Tip: the lowest level is enough for most interior work and saves the battery.
Aim the light. Hang the lamp about an arm's length from the panel and tilt it until you no longer see a hard reflection in the paint. Tip: put it beside you rather than behind you, so you do not cast your own shadow on the work.
Switch to the cable for long jobs. Plug the 5 metre cable into the socket and you carry on at full power, even with a flat battery. Tip: keep the cable out of your walking route so nobody pulls the lamp off its spot.
Clean it and put it away. Wipe the lens after use with a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth. Tip: charge the battery again, so it is ready next time.
Common mistakes and tips
Always working at full power. At 6000 lumens the battery lasts about an hour. Choose a lower level for a full working day, or work on the cable.
Hanging it too close. Close to the panel you get hotspots and hard shadow edges. An arm's length or a bit more gives a calmer picture.
Forgetting to recharge. A lamp that dies halfway costs more time than two hours of charging. Put it on the charger when you finish.
Using it for colour matching. The Nova is a general work light. To judge colour and swirls, reach for a detailing light such as the MultiMatch R.
Relying on the ceiling lights alone. A second light source from the side shows imperfections you cannot see from straight above.
What to combine the Nova 6K C+R with
The Nova provides the base light in the workshop. For the precise check, add a smaller lamp such as the Rupes Swirl Finder Pen Light to find swirls and holograms after polishing. You will find more work lights and holders in the work lights and stands category and more inspection lamps under detailing lights.
Polishing yourself? Our guide polishing your car: removing swirls explains how to assess the paint afterwards. If you work with UV-curing products, the guide to the ScanGrip UV Light curing lamp shows which lamp is made for that.