Hide Away Strobes (Clarification)

Pierce151

I've gone through the forum reading about this subject, but I've only been left even more confused.
I want to install a 60watt whelen clear strobe system on my Chrysler 300m.
I planned for 2 strobes up front in the headlights, and 2 in the back in the reverse lights.
Is there a problem with that? Visibility? Legality?
I live and operate in NJ.

Thanks and sorry for the re-visit.

Doug (MD)

Many, including myself, would discourage you from hide-a-ways in your headlights, simply because they will be drowned out by the headlights. Perhaps a headlight flasher would be better?

Also, many would also discourage you from hide-a-ways in your backup lights, as it can mess with drivers' night vision.

Unfortunately, I can't help you with the legality of your proposed system.

Dana

Clear hide away strobes are most popularly put:
- in the amber cornering/wraparound lens at the front of the vehicle
- in the red rear tail light
- in the amber rear directional light

Colored hide away strobes work well in the clear backup lights, though depending on how louvered your backup light lens cover is, a clear strobe might be fine.

To add to Doug's comment, headlights are notoriously difficult to keep waterproof with hide aways. Any condensation will reduce your headlight effectiveness, reduce the life of the bulb, and generally look like poo.

Pj

If your fire in NJ, white is a no-no, no matter where you put it. Tailstrobes may also be a no-no as it would be displaying red and/or amber.

Again, if your using this as a POV, consulte with your chief or local police agency.

If this is just to \"look cool\", your on your own.

Pierce151

Alot of guys in my company run strobes (white) in the high beams. As for tailights, the only guys that have them in the break lights are officers with red light permits. I don't know anything about backup lights though.

Pierce151

So is the censensus just not to buy them?

Colonel

If your 300M looks like this...

Best bet is the amber.. but it doesn't look like there is much room.

Don't mess up your expensive headlight housings with 1 inch holes. The strobes will be drown out and have little off-axis visibility as it seems by looking in that picture.

I suggest..
Wigwags
grille LEDs (TIR3s perhaps)
dashlight

bisho1p

Or just use blue colored strobes in the backup/reverse lights, or 2 blue tir3's with a license plate mount

Mark Y.

If you're looking for light to the front, why not put in a headlight (high beam) wigwag flasher instead of strobes in your high beams? WAY more effective than strobes, and a whole lot cheaper.

Now, the fact that you're trying to put it into a Chrysler product may complicate things, so check with the headlight flasher manufacturer to determine if it can be done in your car. Daimler Chrysler products are sometimes fully electronically controlled which makes it impossible to put in wigwags ('06 Durango is such a creature). If this is the case then consider wigwagging the driving lights if you have them.

Failing all that, then strobes in the highbeams is a good option. I'd disagree with the post above saying that headlights always fog over. We use the pop-in ones (not the screw-in ones) and we don't seem to have a problem with fogging. Many recent vehicles use vents in the headlights anyway, so as long as you install strobes properly they will be fine.

Just don't consider hideaway strobes to be primary warning. They're too weak and unfocused for that. They make handy little lights, but primary warning - nope. That goes double for the rear facing ones - put them in the red or amber lenses if you have them, not in the clear (white) lights. Again, don't consider them primary rear warning.

Pierce151

Thanks guys, ya thats my car!
The strobes wouldn't be a primary lighting source. I have a dashlight already. I'm not sure, I really liked the idea of the strobes, but if I risk ruining my headlights to fear, then they aren't worth it.

Pj

Good choice. As people said above, headlights typically are not a very good location (especially with the newer styles). The best that I ever saw are the suburbans with the highbeam bulbs taken out.

Your best bet are corner lights (amber or clear depending on vehicle) and grill lights. They typically have nice tight reflectors that really get the light out.

Or, you could just go for a roof rack Smile

Pierce151

I could try the fog lights?
Colonel posting that picture was helpful, you guys can see what I'm dealing with here.
So the reverse lights are going to have to work, I cant put them in the backup lights (red) that'll stir up problems won't it?) but the front end is the problem.

FFLtsteny57

if you put any type of hide away in use silicon caulking to seal it. i have bothe the push in type and the screw base. if you put a layer of silicon over it covering it it keeps the moisture out, atleast for me it has.

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