Buying a basic Liberty to upgrade later?

[Solvarex]

I've decided that I'd like a lightbar for the truck. The idea is to have four corner LEDs (and maybe a pair of inboards) and the rest will be high intensity LED takedowns, work lights, and alleys. The latter will see the most use.


Having just spent a quarter million on a house the lighting budget is pretty low right now. I was considering buying a basic Liberty with only the four corners right now and add the takedowns later. I'd probably need no more than four additional circuits for front, rear, and each alley. Is this something a basic Liberty would come wired for? Is this a good route to take or should I hold out and buy the bar fully loaded?


And on the subject of high intensity LED takedowns, has anyone used them as a supplement to high beams/driving lights? I'm wondering how they'd perform on a dark highway. Thanks guys.

 

[cory y]

quarter million CND? so what $30-40?


:duh: :razz:


lol i kid i kid


But libbies are usually set up with all the wiring for flashing lights, I dunno if they can support a ton of Steady burn lights

 

[philyumpshus]

When I visited Whelen's factory in NH I checked out some of the employees' lightbars that were on their vehicles. The most interesting was a Liberty with 4 corner amber modules. It was a normal 48" bar, so it had space for 6 inboard modules. He had 4 of the high intensity takedowns and then a pair of LR11s with an amber module directly in the middle (like NYSP uses). It was HITD-HITD-LR11-LIN6-LR11-HITD-HITD. My "tour guide" said that they will build any bar as long as the engineers say it can handle the heat so it sounds like you could do the same thing as the bar I described.

 

[grfd711]

When I visited Whelen's factory in NH I checked out some of the employees' lightbars that were on their vehicles.

Did they happen to say if they get employee pricing, free factory imperfections, etc? I have always wondered, as I figured the guys who work there and vollie with some public safety probably take advantedge of some deal.

 

[Solvarex]

Thanks guys but I still don't have a good answer to my question. Can a Liberty be bought basic and upgraded later? Is that practical?


Oh and last time I checked, the Canadian dollar was worth more than the American! hehe

 

[grfd711]

Sure, you can buy a four corner Liberty and all whatever lightheads you want as you can afford to.

 

[mjw357]

Depends on the bar you buy. I would get with a Whelen dealer and tell them what you want. There is nothing complicated about adding steady-burn work lights, you just have to have enough cables running to control them individually.


If it were me, I would just save up and get it built how you want it, will cost less in the end.

 

[NPS Ranger]

probably take advantedge of some deal.

hahaha

 

[philyumpshus]

Did they happen to say if they get employee pricing, free factory imperfections, etc? I have always wondered, as I figured the guys who work there and vollie with some public safety probably take advantedge of some deal.

I was told that they get a significant discount but I don't know about defective products. They have a crusher and shredder onsite for stuff that doesn't make the grade. :sadcry:


To the OP, sorry for getting a little of topic, I was responding more to Cory's post about having several steady-burn lights. I agree with just saving money and buying it all at once.

 

[Retired1]

Using the ELB for sale listings, you can buy a used late model (passive) Liberty (they can be found in various stages of completion - from empty shells to fully loaded) and then buy the used modules of your choice to make it the way you want it. You can then sell any, if any, unused modules.


Your total investment will be about 66% less than a new one from a dealer.

 

[Solvarex]

Thanks guys. Here's the thing, I need a Duo Liberty (or at least one with Duo corners). Hard to find on the buy & sell here. I also want to support my local dealer as he'll be more apt to help out if I have warranty issues.


I sure wish one of those $499 Freedoms that HPD84 sells fit the bill. What a steal!

 

[G1159]

Just as an aside, I live in the Valley Shore area of CT where the mothership is, and whenever I go into the surrounding towns, I have to close my eyes, the equipment on the volley vehicles around the mothership will make any of us have neck pain from checking out the minty new unique toys they take home from work. Truly, it's something to behold. Usually you can't shove another light head in any of the bars, etc. Brings new meaning to the term "fully populated"

 

[factorone33]

Thanks guys but I still don't have a good answer to my question. Can a Liberty be bought basic and upgraded later? Is that practical?

Oh and last time I checked, the Canadian dollar was worth more than the American! hehe

Actually, I would suggest doing that instead of buying one loaded with what you want. It'll cost less up front, and will make it easier to set up things exactly how you want them. The Liberty I have on my truck was an amber demo bar with amber corners and two red LIN6s to the front and two to the rear that I got through work, and it now looks nothing like that bar used to be (all red to the front with LED takedowns, red corners to the rear, amber traffic advisor).


So yes, you can. Some people have parts out there that you can use to supplement what you have, and if you're not a hurry to get everything done, it makes it easier on your wallet.