Police Interceptor Utility Hatch Lighting

[billyfromhill]

What lightheads work well recessed into the rear hatch of a Interceptor Utility? I want to put two LED heads in the bottom of my hatch so that I don't loose all my rear warning when the hatch is open. I see that there is a grommet mount option for the Whelen IONs but the grommet looks pretty thick and I'm not sure if the hatch would be able to be closed.

 

[Blake]

What lighting brand are you a fan of?

 

[billyfromhill]

What lighting brand are you a fan of?

I'm not picky. I'm good with anything as long as it's not insanely expensive and can be synced. Right now I have two Feniex lightheads in the rear window, a Star Visor bar, and SoundOff HAWs.

 

[Blake]

I would say Whelen Vertex ' s or something along that line. Here is an example. Forward to 1:25

 

[pdk9]

Whelen ion also now has a super thin version.
Other options: axixtech/brookings ST6, SNM (they have 2-3 slim options), Nova SD24, SOS recessed lights (nforce, ghost, 6" oval). The Nova is overpriced IMO, but the axixtech & SNM options are budget-friendly options for thin lights

 

[billyfromhill]

Whelen ion also now has a super thin version.
Other options: axixtech/brookings ST6, SNM (they have 2-3 slim options), Nova SD24, SOS recessed lights (nforce, ghost, 6" oval). The Nova is overpriced IMO, but the axixtech & SNM options are budget-friendly options for thin lights

Wow! I really like the ST6. I thought the only option was to recess mount the lightheads because you couldn't get anything surface mounted that thin.

 

[billyfromhill]

Does anybody know if it would be safe to mount a pair of ST6s in the bottom of rear hatch without a tilt switch? I am planning on wiring a pair of ST6s into the same switch as my rear window lights. This means the ST6s would be on when the hatch is closed. The only issue I can think of is overheating.

 

[Carlos SpicyWeiner]

http://www.star1889.com/emergency-p...d-lights/dlite-and-dlits-microstar-led-lights Star microstars have been pretty impressive for us.

Been going for about $55-60

 

[Evtech161]

We do this quite often in my shop, and everyone loves it... the Brooking st6 fits nicely, and we use a pin switch on the rear hatch to activate the lights.

 

[John Hearne]

ST-6's fit as do SOS MPowers. I would consider four lights as well. Don't have a pic but if you look to the "inside" of the brake lights, there is a black plastic section. You can mount two on the hatch bottom and one on each side for some awesome rear warning. I've used MPowers for this with great luck.

 

[billyfromhill]

We do this quite often in my shop, and everyone loves it... the Brooking st6 fits nicely, and we use a pin switch on the rear hatch to activate the lights.

How do you mount the pin switch? Every pin switch I've ever used is designed to ground through the body. Do you have it switch the power directly or do you use a relay?

Would it be safe to not use a pin switch or tilt switch at all? Could the lightheads overheat if they're left on while the hatch is closed?

 

[Evtech161]

When the hatch is closed, the pin switch is open, when the hatch lifts, the pin switch makes the ground connection, and powers the lights.... as far as over heating goes.... not sure, but I am sure it's not healthy for the light..I also usually power the light separate from what ever controller we are using for the rest of the vehicle so even if the rest of the lighting is off, and the ignition is on, the hatch lights will still come on.

 

[Doyle257]

On our suburban we hav vertex mounted between the door itself, and the plastic shrouding. They are constantly on, when stage 1 of our slider is initiated. It's this way on 2 tahoes, and 2 suburbans, and has been that way since 2011, without any overheating issues.