Page 3 of 4

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 10:13 am
by Ljbyrne98
Lancer1993 wrote:Dumb question but is there any easy way to test the spot lights I have?

Not used them in years and right now I've got nothing wired up but I might have enough bits to rig up something over the weekend.

They are GE sealed beams about 110mm across. (I'll post a photo later today)

EDITED... I checked this on last week, just to get an idea how it looks, last time I used it was with the coupe about 4 years ago!
Image


If you just to check if they work just touch the ends on a car battery terminal, if you've got 3 wires (a positive, a high beam ine (the one the switch is on) and an earth, just touch the earth on negative and the other two on positive). If you have a jump starter you can use that too.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:40 am
by Lancer1993
Won't I need a rely for them to work? I'll have to dig through some stuff in the shed to see if I have the basic bits to rig up something this weekend. There is no reason they are not working, my only issue is there are a sealed beam with no seperate bulbs so could be pricy to replace. Thus the need for the covers to help prevent damage.

The goal would be to have the wiring set up with a switch on the dash and then I can hook up any lights I want.

I'm considering the 21.5" one from BCF, right now members can get it with wiring kit for $75.

Do LED light bars use a rely to make them work?

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:54 am
by lancerdarryl
You should always use a relay especially with conventional lamps as they draw a fair amount of current. ie 100 watts divided by 12 volts = 8.3 amps.LED's draw way less current but still use a relay ( and fuses) anyway to protect your wiring.Also using a relay prevents voltage drop to your light.
Those lights you have are pretty robust,they were a very popular choice in the rallying community for a long time.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 3:29 pm
by bumblebee
Lancerdarryl is spot on ( sorry about the pun) with the relays and fuses. A good idea is to keep a spare relay or two and some fuses in the glovebox or boot. They are inexpensive and small and always blow at the least wanted time

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 3:59 pm
by lancerdarryl
Never apologise for a pun....

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 10:57 pm
by Lancer1993
I have fuses, not normally worried about spare relays, maybe if on a long trip but unless you're in the middle of no where they're not hard to find.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 8:38 am
by bumblebee
I remember the scout motto i grew up with "be prepared "

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:30 pm
by Ljbyrne98
Lancer1993 wrote:Won't I need a rely for them to work? I'll have to dig through some stuff in the shed to see if I have the basic bits to rig up something this weekend. There is no reason they are not working, my only issue is there are a sealed beam with no seperate bulbs so could be pricy to replace. Thus the need for the covers to help prevent damage.

The goal would be to have the wiring set up with a switch on the dash and then I can hook up any lights I want.

I'm considering the 21.5" one from BCF, right now members can get it with wiring kit for $75.

Do LED light bars use a rely to make them work?



In Vic it's a legal requirement to use a relay. However you don't need a relay for it to work. Just connect to a battery to test

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 8:51 pm
by seanpain4
Ljbyrne98 wrote::hallo:

First post like this here so please be nice :D

Anyway I just wanted to share my new lightbar, I haven't seen any mounted like this before so I thought I'd post it up here.

Here are the pics:

Image
Image
Image

The mesh doesn't affect the light at all and the only "problem" I had was I needed to move the number plate up a few centimetres as it cut off the top of the lightbar.

I tested it on the black spur at 4am and I couldn't be happier, it was like driving at day. And for anyone who is interested it is a 560mm 120w light bar.


Hello, I'm about to install a light bar in the same spot. I am making a bracket myself. But i was wondering whether you were able to install the light bar without taking the whole front bumper off? Were you able to just remove the grill and get it in? Also is your bar mounted where the bolts for the grill are? Hopefully that makes sense

Cheers

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 9:17 pm
by Lancer1993
I'm also reconsidering this, did a road trip and while we didn't need extra light most of the time a good light bar would have been nice some nights.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:08 am
by sarusa
Is it legal? Personally don't like covering too much of the front grill but can't see this being a hassle here.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:25 pm
by Lancer1993
Wouldn't mind putting some red and blues down there, but I think some might not like that LOL

I guess there is no practical way to modify the front to mount some spot lights in the flat sections either side of the number plate... thats where the metal part of the bumper behind the skink sits?

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 2:03 pm
by Ljbyrne98
Lancer1993 wrote:Wouldn't mind putting some red and blues down there, but I think some might not like that LOL

I guess there is no practical way to modify the front to mount some spot lights in the flat sections either side of the number plate... thats where the metal part of the bumper behind the skink sits?


Sorry for the belated reply,

red and blues are definitely illegal in vic and I assume all others states. Anything other that white lights can get you in big trouble :P

And while I haven't actually looked into in if I was you id consider just making a bracket that goes behind the number plate and uses same screws from the number plate. From memory these screw straight into the impact bar so you'll have a sturdy basis. The only concern is fabricating a mount that wont scratch the bumper but these plenty of ways around this if you just think about it.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 5:37 pm
by Lancer1993
Well there goes my plans for a KITT red light strip along the front :)

As far as I can tell the number plate on my CJ is just into the plastic, not very sturdy.

I still want to do something with the spotlights I have, but might consider 2 shorter LED bars in the topper grill.

Re: My new lightbar

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 7:46 pm
by ReeceCozaa
Many areas here in NSW can be hella strict on lights, I’ve had mates get into trouble a fair few times for it, seems like some areas get real strict on the brightness and colour