homemade lightbar using arrowboard lamps

C

csx7006

Junior Member
Member
Nov 6, 2011
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Amarillo TX
Hello. I am new to the forum and i am building a homemade light bar using WANCO led arrow board lamps. I got these from the contractor that im working for since they threw them away because dust entered the lenses. I want to use my 10 led heads. The lamps are 1/2 of a watt. The led are very bright since they are used on arrow boards. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I want to this as cheap as possible but professionally made. Thank you


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_wancoled1.jpg


the leds


back of led module


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_wancoled2.jpg


front of leds


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_wancoled3.jpg


small angle


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_wancoled4.jpg
 
Keep us updated with how the build goes, and with pics. I think it will look decent. Just make sure you seal good if they are going to be mounted in the elements.
 
well the adapter was 12v dc so i was using it. t me a sh


I got a sho me led flasher.


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_IMG_20111107_142513.jpg


I built the frame but i need extra pieces and to grind the welds down since i was using telespar tubing. Its galvanized tubing for road signs.
 
well here is my bottom piece of the frame


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_IMG_20111108_123322.jpg


the flange that im going to be using. They are old arrowboard hoods.


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_IMG_20111108_124013.jpg


The tubing im going to use to mount the lights.


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_IMG_20111108_124018.jpg


Any suggestions?
 
alxjmrk said:
Yeah, get more Tostitos. And salsa. It will keep you going.
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it dosnt help.


I finally got the frames built for my lights.


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_IMG_20111112_180756.jpg


It took me alot of time to get the scrap steel from the shop. I made progress so far. Hopefully i can get some magnets and weld the rest of the light together. I got to figure out how to waterproof the back of the leds.


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_IMG_20111112_180838.jpg
 
Personally I would have put 3 to the front, 3 to the rear and 1 each side... BUt looks good for home brew... :thumbsup:
 
TritonBoulder47 said:
Personally I would have put 3 to the front, 3 to the rear and 1 each side... BUt looks good for home brew... :thumbsup:
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Im waiting to get some more square tubeing for the side lights.
 
what is this lightbar gonna be used for or mounted on?
 
looks ok but I would have made a metal base , then took some abs plastic sheets and made a dome. Using plastics welding or hell even a construction adhesive or something. then drilled holes just big enough for the lightheads so you can weather proof it or even use grommets or something.


I used windows paint to give ya an idea what im talking about.


It's just an idea. Good luck


Dan

lightbar.png
 
dawson75 said:
looks ok but I would have made a metal base , then took some abs plastic sheets and made a dome. Using plastics welding or hell even a construction adhesive or something. then drilled holes just big enough for the lightheads so you can weather proof it or even use grommets or something.

I used windows paint to give ya an idea what im talking about.


It's just an idea. Good luck


Dan
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the dome would break since we get hail here and i want durability.
 
well, i hope its bright and effective, because it sure as hell is ugly. might not look bad on something HUGE, like an excavator . but on a company car? just spend the $150-200 and get something small and LED
 
Storm4200 said:
well, i hope its bright and effective, because it sure as hell is ugly. might not look bad on something HUGE, like an excavator . but on a company car? just spend the $150-200 and get something small and LED
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Only the bosses have the LED lights. Its bright and effective. I know it ugly and whatnot but the lights was free from a wrecked arrowboard. Why dont YOU tell me how to make it better:hahano:
 
maybe make an arrowstick out of them? hook it to that sho-me flasher that does all the directional patterns, and rear deck mount it? just an idea.
 
Storm4200 said:
maybe make an arrowstick out of them? hook it to that sho-me flasher that does all the directional patterns, and rear deck mount it? just an idea.
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well the lights came off of this manufacture of arrowboard.


ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_lightbar_arrowbd_WECO_low_res.jpg
 
What I would of done was make a fiberglass shell with the par holes cut out of it. Smiler to what rally cars have. That way it would be lite and also sort of aerodynamic.


All you have to do is make a mold out of wood and fiber glass it. There are loads of tutorials about how to fiberglass online.


just my 2cents.
 
I like the DIY attitude. It is pretty Frankenstein. Don't get me wrong it's cool, but you could do a little more for looks. It hails a whole hell of a lot during the season for it here in KS and our old ass Excaliburs are just fine besides the expected wear and fading. Very creative though.
 
Hoff said:
I like the DIY attitude. It is pretty Frankenstein. Don't get me wrong it's cool, but you could do a little more for looks. It hails a whole hell of a lot during the season for it here in KS and our old ass Excaliburs are just fine besides the expected wear and fading. Very creative though.
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Code 3 hard-coats their lenses (as does Whelen), so they tend to stand up to our infamous hailstorms (the worst ones always seem to be out west, so hopefully I can dodge them here in the KC area). I remember the police department in Garden City having to replace a handful of their Edge bars after we got softball-sized hail my sophomore year of high school (2000).


Aesthetics aside, I think this guy's done pretty damn good for having little to no experience with lights at all, and for what he's intending to use them for, I doubt aesthetics really even matter; I mean, who goes to a construction site, looks at the warning lights, and thinks, "Man, those could be SO much prettier than they are. Why don't these guys that are busting their asses in the dirt, grease, and grime of this construction site do something about that?"


Good on you sir, for going for it. With what limited materials you have, I'd say you're doing fine.
 
factorone33 said:
Code 3 hard-coats their lenses (as does Whelen), so they tend to stand up to our infamous hailstorms (the worst ones always seem to be out west, so hopefully I can dodge them here in the KC area). I remember the police department in Garden City having to replace a handful of their Edge bars after we got softball-sized hail my sophomore year of high school (2000).

Aesthetics aside, I think this guy's done pretty damn good for having little to no experience with lights at all, and for what he's intending to use them for, I doubt aesthetics really even matter; I mean, who goes to a construction site, looks at the warning lights, and thinks, "Man, those could be SO much prettier than they are. Why don't these guys that are busting their asses in the dirt, grease, and grime of this construction site do something about that?"


Good on you sir, for going for it. With what limited materials you have, I'd say you're doing fine.
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Why thank you. :) So far i added side lights so i could be seen from the side.ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g292_csx7006_IMG_20111121_183551.jpg


Hopefully i can prime and paint this heavy lightbar this weekend. :undecided: I still have to put a carrying handle on the thing so i can tote this to my piece of machinery that i use from day to day.
 
Do you have more of the arrowboard lamps?
 
I do, actually. I would build a basic frame, or box if you wil, and then mount the lights on the underside of the top, pointing down. Use some sheet metal to build mirrors coming up from the bottom, in a upside down V formation, both front/back and sides. Cover the sheet metal with some type of reflective coating, preferably mirror material, like this stuff: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/stick-on-mirror-roll. Then purchase some plexiglass/Lexan as lenses for all four sides, and you could have something very effective, inexpensive, and much lighter than your current bar.
 
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