Mini-bar for blizzards & nasty fog

[CACBAND]

For a slick top SUV, that will be used in blizzards & heavy fog, what would you suggest.


(and yes, the profile says TX, that will change next month )


Edit: Mag mount


Edit2: Any emergency color will work (red, blue, or red/blue)

 

[bwoodruff]

For a slick top SUV, that will be used in blizzards & heavy fog, what would you suggest.

(and yes, the profile says TX, that will change next month )


Edit: Mag mount


Edit2: Any emergency color will work (red, blue, or red/blue)

I would suggest that if you have the ability to run both, do so, but set the flash pattern effectively so the colors are actually distinguishable (you don't bleed your colors). Red is generally considered to be more effective during the day, while blue is considered more effective at night. If you have both, you get the best of both worlds.

 

[A-TAD]

If you are looking for suggestions on a mini bar to use in heavy fog, I say use a halogen mini bar.


Something like a Federal Signal Highlighter or a Whelen Guardian.

 

[NPS Ranger]

For heavy fog, the only way to go is halogen. LED's and strobes are blinding. Plus, the halogen in the fog gives a "lighthouse" effect that shows other drivers where you are.


For blizzards, halogen melts snow better than the others.


The 22 inch Turbobeam is nice because it gives you twice the mirror area of a Highlighter.

 

[bwoodruff]

I do also like the halogen suggestion, but that would make doing both red and blue more difficult/less common, at least in a mini-bar.

 

[A-TAD]

The Federal Signal Highlighter and Whelen Guardian can be ordered with a clear dome and a red and blue filter for the rotators.


Here is a picture of what the Guardian looks like in R/B





There is a pic of a R/B Highlighter in this thread:


http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/federal-highlighter-w-steady-lights-11-24-11-video-added-21598/index2.html

 

[Hoser]

I agree Halogen is hard to beat in Nasty conditions. The clear domes make it a plus for resale and if you change departments or need a color change.

 

[nerdly_dood]

N'thing the halogen minibar. Doesn't matter which brand you get, as long as it's got halogen rotators. (If you get one from Star/SVP, make sure it's NOT the "incandescent" version, those are very dim.)

 

[Kevin K.]

I would suggest that if you have the ability to run both, do so, but set the flash pattern effectively so the colors are actually distinguishable (you don't bleed your colors). Red is generally considered to be more effective during the day, while blue is considered more effective at night. If you have both, you get the best of both worlds.

I just wanted to follow up on this comment regarding the visibility of certain colors in certain conditions. What you said is true for most circumstances; however, blue has a tendency to break up and "scatter" in foggy, snowy and smokey conditions. For what this gentleman is looking for, I'd recommend a halogen minibar with all red lights.

 

[JediTalen]

+1000 on a halogen minibar, I am partial to the 420, I have two that I will often run for 8-10 hours at a time and, although I have experienced the warm plug, it hasn't been a problem. I replaced one of mine with a switched plug and that eliminates the problem. I would reccomend that you get a clear-dome model and run individual filters in red/amber. Amber cuts the fog better than anything else and the red marks you as "not a snowplow". In those conditions I would consider adding a steady-burn high intensity amber on the deck to the rear. Off-road racers do that to cut through the dust so as to not get hit by an overtaking vehicle, and it works very well.

 

[Retired1]

The Federal Signal Highlighter and Whelen Guardian can be ordered with a clear dome and a red and blue filter for the rotators.
Here is a picture of what the Guardian looks like in R/B


View attachment 24131


There is a pic of a R/B Highlighter in this thread:


http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/federal-highlighter-w-steady-lights-11-24-11-video-added-21598/index2.html

I also recommend the Guardian, just like in the photo above. I have several. They are brighter and have more eyecatching light output than my Freedom does. The only drawback to a halogen mini-bar is the high amp draw. Don't run them off a power port. Run them off a switched and fused lead-in wire.


Also, as mentioned previously, there are various wattage bulbs available in halogen rotator mini-bars. The most common are 35 watt (Whelen Responder) and 55 watt (Whelen Guardian). The 55 watt lamps give brilliant flashes. The 35 watt are not so brilliant.

 

[busbart]

I just wanted to follow up on this comment regarding the visibility of certain colors in certain conditions. What you said is true for most circumstances; however, blue has a tendency to break up and "scatter" in foggy, snowy and smokey conditions. For what this gentleman is looking for, I'd recommend a halogen minibar with all red lights.

well, if blue does so, why are many snowplows and salt spreaders equipped with blue beacons (halo,strobe or led)?


I mean, usually they only work when it's foggy,snowy or smokey outdoors????

 

[Richard P]

I also recommend the Guardian, just like in the photo above. I have several. They are brighter and have more eyecatching light output than my Freedom does. The only drawback to a halogen mini-bar is the high amp draw. Don't run them off a power port. Run them off a switched and fused lead-in wire.

Also, as mentioned previously, there are various wattage bulbs available in halogen rotator mini-bars. The most common are 35 watt (Whelen Responder) and 55 watt (Whelen Guardian). The 55 watt lamps give brilliant flashes. The 35 watt are not so brilliant.

Those are 50w bars. I have a centurion with the same rotators, they are 50w halogen. 8 amps total. cigarette lighter draw 10-15 amps, so its less than the lighter. most stereos and radios are 15 amp, so its less than your radio. the amp draw of halogen isnt as bad as everyone thinks they are when LEDs came out.

 

[Retired1]

Those are 50w bars. I have a centurion with the same rotators, they are 50w halogen. 8 amps total. cigarette lighter draw 10-15 amps, so its less than the lighter. most stereos and radios are 15 amp, so its less than your radio. the amp draw of halogen isnt as bad as everyone thinks they are when LEDs came out.

Rich,


I was going by what Whelen says they use (55 watt bulbs in Guardians):


"SPECIFICATIONS


HALOGEN G1 and G2 SERIES


Brilliant full size diamond mirror provides a total of 540 FPM for G1 or 700 FPM for G2.


High intensity 55 watt H1 bulbs (12 volt version).


Standard 12 VDC (24 VDC available upon request)."


Source: Whelen Engineering - Lightbars, Mini - Guardian™ Series Mini Lightbars


Whelen does not show a halogen Responder in its current brochure, but Gall's does. There listing shows two 35 watt bulbs used.


Source: Galls Halogen Responder II Mini Lightbar - LB242


Whelen also says not to use cigarette lighter plugs as a power source for a Guardian. It says to use a power port of sufficient capability. Many of the late model power ports I've seen are incapable of powering a Guardian (100% of the pilot cars assigned to the work convoy I escort have tried and failed). I have one power port on my bench that has about 22 guage wire. Not nearly capable of the amperage needed for a halogen Guardian. Note: Permanent wired Guardians are supplied with 14 guage pigtails and heavy guage wire is recommended or longer runs.


Source: http://www.whelen.com/install/137/13746.pdf


Terry


PS: I am a huge fan of the halogen Guardians, and own a dozen or more. I just prefer to run their power input through a fused / switched direct wire method and a dedicated ground wire.

 

[bwoodruff]

well, if blue does so, why are many snowplows and salt spreaders equipped with blue beacons (halo,strobe or led)?

I mean, usually they only work when it's foggy,snowy or smokey outdoors????

Eh, I don't really see that as a valid argument. It is like asking "why does PD in NY only have blue to the rear and not to the front?"


"umm... Because some politician said so."


Most areas have colors that are more politically correct than others. Some states are very heavy handed about blue, whereas other states use that as their color for volunteers and there is hardly any enforcement.