Thread: Code 3 XL Clear Bar with LEDs

Hey all. So I'm new to the board and have really enjoyed checking out others' equipment and collections. A little bit about me. I've worked in as an EMT on an ALS unit in So. Cal for about 10 years now. My father is a retired firefighter, so I've kind of followed in his path. I have a passion for electronics, and a niche in code lights. I also am a fan of LEDs (not just for emergency services, but in general). So, with that said, a few years back I was able to acquire parts from 3 Code 3 XL and Force 4 bars. I restored one for my father for his retirement. Unfortunately I cannot find any pictures or videos of it. It's got 2 red domes, and a siren grill in between.

With the parts, I was able to make myself one as well. This one has three clear domes (the two outer ones are old that were extremely hazed, and polished up decently, while the middle one was NOS. The other ones have the metal bar across the top while the middle one has a plastic one). I converted this one to LED just for the heck of it. I'm sure some won't like it, but I think the combination is rather neat. I'm not sure on the model now, but I found that some 4 inch LEDs that are used as tail lights fit perfectly into the housing for the PAR36 bulbs. The clear one I put into the stinger in the middle doesn't fit (the back is too big), so I had to jimmy it in there for the time being. I need to move that unit back because the front retainer is scraping against the dome (you can hear it, and it's leaving a mark). A benefit of the LEDs is that I was able to wire this into a 12V laptop style power converter and it works quite well. The bar also has some mini takedown/alley lights, but I didn't wire them in.

I'd enjoy hearing what you all think of it!



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looks good, but if you get the right LEDs, it can be just as bright as the sealed beams. Star makes a spot beam LED lighthead and they use it in their beacons like that, brighter than anything!

Welcome to the board!

I agree, the light is great so far but with a little research (and funds) you can turn it into something extraordinary. Looking forward to seeing what else you cook up!

Here's a video I found of the original bar I restored for my pop.

Originally Posted by Richard P

looks good, but if you get the right LEDs, it can be just as bright as the sealed beams. Star makes a spot beam LED lighthead and they use it in their beacons like that, brighter than anything!

Could you post a link to these? You've got me interested...

Originally Posted by mixerbd699

Could you post a link to these? You've got me interested...

Models 400A & 400B Revolving Lights(Heavy Duty) - Star Headlight & Lantern Company - Star Warning Systems, Avon, NY

You can do that with any light, but you got to make sure its a spot beam, flood, or park/turn lights wont have the "snap"

RichardP is correct, you must use PAR-36 LED bulbs that are focused to provide a spot light pattern in order to get anything near the "pop" provided by the original PAR-36 sealed beam spot light bulbs.

anyone have a part # for the spot leds?

Again, welcome.. cool concept. Others are correct, a sport beam is best. Also make sure the exterior dome color is clear or matches the LED color. IE white LEDs behind a red lens will look dim.

Originally Posted by JohnMarcson

Again, welcome.. cool concept. Others are correct, a sport beam is best. Also make sure the exterior dome color is clear or matches the LED color. IE white LEDs behind a red lens will look dim.

I always thought the colored LEDs behind colored lenses, but after seeing LED products from star warning systems, I like white behind colored lenses. Their minibars do just that, red is red, blue is blue, Ive yet to see green, but amber is a bit more yellow. and its brighter than any colored LED.

Originally Posted by Richard P

I always thought the colored LEDs behind colored lenses, but after seeing LED products from star warning systems, I like white behind colored lenses. Their minibars do just that, red is red, blue is blue, Ive yet to see green, but amber is a bit more yellow. and its brighter than any colored LED.

That's because those are designed for that. I'm not going to run down the whole lesson in led light spectrum again, but most white LEDs will lose a significant portion of their brightness behind colored lenses. White LEDs are not a full spectrum white light like a halogen. Halogen white light actually contains all colors...the filter blocks all the light except that color. LEDs are a "contrived" white light, a much narrower spectrum. The colored filter then filters out all other light except that color. If the White LED barely contains any light of that color, you get a filtered out LED.

Originally Posted by JohnMarcson

That's because those are designed for that. I'm not going to run down the whole lesson in led light spectrum again, but most white LEDs will lose a significant portion of their brightness behind colored lenses. White LEDs are not a full spectrum white light like a halogen. Halogen white light actually contains all colors...the filter blocks all the light except that color. LEDs are a "contrived" white light, a much narrower spectrum. The colored filter then filters out all other light except that color. If the White LED barely contains any light of that color, you get a filtered out LED.

I based my info on your post of that topic before, but im speaking from a comarison between stars 2 led minibars, one with colored LEDs, one with white and a colored lens, the white LEDs was significantly brighter.

Originally Posted by Richard P

I based my info on your post of that topic before, but im speaking from a comarison between stars 2 led minibars, one with colored LEDs, one with white and a colored lens, the white LEDs was significantly brighter.

That's all well and good for SVP products, but that won't be the case if it's, for example, a Whelen Freedom with white LEDs and colored lenses, or a white Vertex in a taillight with a red lens. SVP has designed their products deliberately with that in mind; others don't.