Opinions on adding alley lights to XL bar?

[ChargerLighting]

I have a dept. with a 74" 4 section Code 3 XL bar thats' looking for some alley lights.


Right now the bar is all red w/red endcaps so I suggested something that would mount on the rear 'bolt track' kind of like a LAPD setup...


I'm thinking the light should be around 3"x4" size or smaller? Cost is an issue, so, LEDs are probably out. I thought maybe even some inexpensive driving lights? Any thoughts on this?


Thanks!

 

[crescentstar69]

The old school solution was clear driving lights. Cheap and effective. Obviously, how they are mounted matters. I've seen them look great, and not so much. If done right, they look and work great.

 

[EHFD_Tower_751]

you could always order a set of XL clear endcaps and go that route.


Then send the red endcaps to me, cause im still needing a set lol

 

[EVModules]

Big time on LAPD style. Cheap, effective, easy to service, and readily available. If you have access to stainless steel or thick aluminum stock to work with, all the better! It's just a matter of which beam patter is preferred, driving or fog.

 

[ChargerLighting]

I was thinking of going w/the clear endcaps also & adding MR11's, but I don't have very many around & I'd have to buy the endcaps new. But, I found an el-cheapo set of H-3 powered fog lights that someone had given me w/brackets. They're about 6.5" long, & hang about 4.5" below the frame. I found the correct size bolt for the frame & these should work out good!


& I don't even have to make any brackets! :lol:

 

[ChargerLighting]

Here's the driver's side. We had some clearance issues so we had to move & re-drill the light brackets, but it turned out.


Both sides steady burn when the lightbar is turned on.


Not-so-good camera phone pic is attached.


10-30-10_1254.jpg[/attachment:1t80820k]

 

[EVModules]

Now that looks good! Bet it lights up well?

 

[ChargerLighting]

Thanks! I haven't called to see if they used/liked them yet, but they have 55W bulbs. They "should" work.


They said they didn't use the C3 Nightprobe (what a terrible name...) because it "gets lost"? Hard to control/aim I guess? I dunno...

 

[EVModules]

55w? No doubt it would be better than the option of having it in the bar with a small reflector anyway. I'd vote for function over looks most of the time.


I did a custom job that had 6 - 55w lights in two half MX bars mounted on the back of an engine. They were set in a downward spread pattern covering approx 200 degrees toasted the rear. Served as scene & reverse lights. Basic parts, fantastic results like you!

 

[Stendec]

You can use anything from $20 worklites from Tractor Supply to KC HiLites to aircraft landing lights, and you'll always get better results than the cheesy little slide projector lights C3 put in as alley lights. It isn't surprising that dual lamps was an option, quintuple fixtures still wouldn't be enough.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Both sides steady burn when the lightbar is turned on.

Why?

 

[ChargerLighting]

Its' a hell of a lot easier than running more wires into the cab, then trying to figure out where everything is routed & into what box. That & I'm not sure there's 2 spare switches & we don't feel like ripping 1/2 of the truck apart to find everything.


I just talked to them & they love them & they said everything works great.


But, I did suggest having a switch for each one & normally that's what I'd do if time wasn't a factor. Also the truck is the main truck used at this station & it might get 20? calls a day +/-

 

[JohnMarcson]

Its' a hell of a lot easier than running more wires into the cab, then trying to figure out where everything is routed & into what box. That & I'm not sure there's 2 spare switches & we don't feel like ripping 1/2 of the truck apart to find everything.

I just talked to them & they love them & they said everything works great.


But, I did suggest having a switch for each one & normally that's what I'd do if time wasn't a factor. Also the truck is the main truck used at this station & it might get 20? calls a day +/-

I'm just not sure running with bright steady burn clear to the side is safe. It could be blinding..