Adjustable Work Light Mounts 101
Different applications typically require different adjustable work light mounting types to achieve the best illumination for the tasks at hand. The four main light mounts are trunnion, gooseneck, double ball mounts and swing arms. Each mount type delivers illumination for both general lighting and more specific illumination needs.
Below is an over view of the 4 work light mounts and their most ideal lighting applications.
Trunnion Mount
Trunnion mounts, or “u-brackets,” are a hinge style cylindrical shaped bracket design that provide varying degrees of adjustability. The fixed part of the mount, which supports the tilting plate, is screwed into a flat surface. The adjustable tilting portion is then attached to the fixed section with screws, allowing it to rotate as needed with the loosening and tightening of screws of each side. This enables the operator additional freedom in setting the angle of the light and thus the angle of the beam.
This rotational, yet fixed design provides post-installation angle positioning which is beneficial for a very wide variety of work lighting applications. It is generally best for flood lighting, since it can only be adjusted vertically. However, it can be a great mounting option for machine vision lighting and security applications, that need some adjustability, but don’t require horizontal or 360 degree movement.
Gooseneck Mount
Gooseneck mounts are ideal for awkward and compact areas where it’s difficult to achieve precise positioning of a light beam for effective illumination. Goosenecks are long, slim and extremely flexible mounts, that allow the beam to be positioned at virtually any angle, and can hold this angle until re-positioned.
The compact design means they can be mounted to any flat surface with a variety of lighting options including small LED arrays, spotlights, and explosion proof fixtures. This design is great for general area lighting, and especially cramped and tricky areas when bulkier, fixed mount lights would simply not illuminate the space effectively.
With such a unique amount of flexibility, operators have total control over positioning to get the perfect beam angle. Furthermore, some goosenecks come with magnetic bases, allowing them to be temporarily and securely mounted on any metallic surface including vehicles, ideal for hunting, and law enforcement and military applications.
Double Ball Mount
Some goose-neck work lights actually sit upon a double ball joint bracket, providing additional adjustability for seemingly endless angle options. Double ball mounts, are exactly how they sound – two 360 degree rotational balls that sit on top of one another. They act independently to provide 360 degree rotation and 180 degree tilt/pivot, while permanently mounted.
Double ball mounts can act as the sole adjustment for a work light, or be paired with a gooseneck and positioned without affecting the gooseneck, if desired.
This type of mount, when solely used, is ideal for work areas that need to achieve unique lighting angles and may require more heavy-duty lighting equipment, such as marine, boat, or any other outdoor mounting applications. Because these mounts are short and compact, they can handle a bit more, and take up less vertical space than a long and slim gooseneck.
Double ball mounts are usually permanently mounted, but also may come with magnetic bases for temporary installation, and an additional degree of flexibility.
Swing Arm Mount
Swing arm mounts also provide operators with positioning versatility. This type of mount can come with one or two pivot points that can be easily “swung” for the desired position, and are an ideal mounting platform for lights, cameras and other electrical equipment.
The single pivot swing mounts are adjustable at the permanently mounted bracket, allowing a total of 180 degrees of horizontal adjustment. Additionally, the hinge bracket that connects the arm to the wall mount may also provide vertical adjustment in some cases.
Two-piece swing mounts feature two “arms” that can both be adjusted horizontally; One arm is adjustable at the wall bracket like a single pivot, and an additional arm mounted at the end of the first rotates separately from the first. This allows a wide range of possible positions.