Is there such a thing as a sealed beam replacement with an LED instead of a filament?
Saginaw County Sheriff Goes Retro
- Thread starter unityrv26
- Start date
Yes, however my google-fu is lacking tonight as well as my memory. But I do know someone (or a few) make them...
Yes, McDermott was running PAR36 LED 'bulbs' in their original style RISER lightbars until they lost the NYPD contract around 2005 or so
OK guys, got a great update on this continuing saga....I got an very up close and personal view of the bar, the new LED's and a talk with a deputy. Also got a live look.
First off, there were questions on the bar and where it came from or who manufactured it. Its totally custom. Its stainless steal bent, welded at the seams and ground smooth. The feet of the bar are actually from the OLD full LED bars. Those are "CODE 3" and they took the feet off and attached them to the new bar. (pics to follow).
The new LED's are red and blue Whelen L31 series beacons. They changed it from the rotating pattern to a more flashing rotating pattern. The deputy I talked to actually said he liked them, they are brighter and more attention getting than the old LED bars, in his opinion.
He also said he liked the spotlights for "takedowns". He said they light up the interior of the car he stops perfectly. He said it was like adding two more spotlights to the car. He even referenced driving with them on at night in the back county roads.
Before I add the photos, let me say I saw these lights in action. I am actually impressed. Its less confusing than a full LED bar and I think more defined between the red and blue. (I could not get my phone to take video. The light washed it out). They are extremely bright and attention getting. There are still plenty of supplemental LED's all over the car, just like a slicktop would have.
I don't think there will be any officer safety issues with the new LED's.
First off, there were questions on the bar and where it came from or who manufactured it. Its totally custom. Its stainless steal bent, welded at the seams and ground smooth. The feet of the bar are actually from the OLD full LED bars. Those are "CODE 3" and they took the feet off and attached them to the new bar. (pics to follow).
The new LED's are red and blue Whelen L31 series beacons. They changed it from the rotating pattern to a more flashing rotating pattern. The deputy I talked to actually said he liked them, they are brighter and more attention getting than the old LED bars, in his opinion.
He also said he liked the spotlights for "takedowns". He said they light up the interior of the car he stops perfectly. He said it was like adding two more spotlights to the car. He even referenced driving with them on at night in the back county roads.
Before I add the photos, let me say I saw these lights in action. I am actually impressed. Its less confusing than a full LED bar and I think more defined between the red and blue. (I could not get my phone to take video. The light washed it out). They are extremely bright and attention getting. There are still plenty of supplemental LED's all over the car, just like a slicktop would have.
I don't think there will be any officer safety issues with the new LED's.
Attachments
Last edited:
I like it! Can't wait to see a video of those beacons in action! It's good to see they have some other lights and it's not just the beacons. Are the TIR3s on the bar synced with the beacons?
I wonder what is cost them to make that bar out of aluminum? If was really all that cost effective compared to buying a 8 or 10 head led light bar? Personally I like them a lot and wish more companies made led beacons. I said it before I'll say it until I'm blue in the face, I love the retro look. Even if its led retro, Lol.
dmathieu
Lifetime VIP Donor
StEaLtH2
Member
Would like to see a video of this. Is the cruise light function wired to a switch? The only part I don't care for is the disproportionate size of the beacons vs the spots.. Personally the off road lights would be nice on the pit bar. Depending on what their supplier is selling them each L31 for they very well could be spending the same coin as a lightbar would run them...
Here is a vid of 2 whelen rotobeams, not on a Charger. Drivers side red front/amber rear and Pass side blue. They are sync'ed, low power enabled and cruise function on a rocker switch.
bigcat
Member
I absolutely love this, and I think they're fine tuning the idea over time. I hope eventually it becomes Rotabeams with Micro Pioneer takedowns and Nano6 alleys. Maybe even a Micron TA on the back or a simple pair of amber flashers.
I think the current addition of the Tir3s look cheap and I don't see them adding anything to the setup.
I think the current addition of the Tir3s look cheap and I don't see them adding anything to the setup.
TDC
Lifetime VIP Donor
I know, whatever, but this is specifically what I mentioned.
Crown Victaurus, Legacy Duo+ on the roof and 2 M4J on the trunk lid ... parked immediately behind a Fire Truck (with LEDs, too...)
What you see is the driver side of the car. In the Fire Truck picture notice the Legacy still attached by the cable. And the upside-down F250 that hit it.
As a citizen motorist, 0.02 and Texting will get you here, and then Jail.
(Pretty sure it is Marc Maron who says the only difference between a Drunk Driver and a Texter is that the Drunk is actually looking at the road)
tsquale
Lifetime VIP Donor
Found these photos in a Facebook group. Poster said they're testing the Whelen and Code 3 beacons.
dmathieu
Lifetime VIP Donor
The Code 3 Arch beacon is extremely effective and impressive.
I haven't seen a side by side comparison of the Arch and the L31.
I haven't seen a side by side comparison of the Arch and the L31.
proudfirefighter
Member
I'd want to see videos, but I think these look good! As long as they have the supplemental lighting (grille, intersection, traffic bar in the back) I support the idea!
That facebook user sure is a good photographer. In fact, I bet he was going to post those pics on here too.
CrownVic97
Member
Those Code 3 beacons look more pronounced on that crossbar. But, I agree that a side-by-side comparison of the C3 and Whelens is warranted to see what'll work for the Sheriff's dept.
dmathieu
Lifetime VIP Donor
You're right, the size of the Arch lights look better on the bar, especially with the taller takedown lights. Aesthetics.
tsquale
Lifetime VIP Donor
That facebook user sure is a good photographer. In fact, I bet he was going to post those pics on here too.
1. That'll learn ya for not posting them here FIRST!
2. Where is the video then?!
1. That'll learn ya for not posting them here FIRST!
2. Where is the video then?!
True!! I'm working on videos...but its hard to catch them in passing. I did try the one night but the LED's washed out on my phone video.
LRGJr72
Member
I do not know when, but it was either the NFPA, OSHA and/or the NHTSA that decided speakers mounted on the roof of passenger cars posed too great a risk of hearing damage to those nearby. After that all police vehicles had to begin mounting their speakers on the front bumper or inside of the engine compartment. I'm sure there's someone here who knows far more about this than I do.
It was OSHA in the 80's that said overhead speakers were damaging hearing of the occupants of police cars. And I agree, I trace my hearing loss to hours and hours sitting directly underneath siren speakers.
StEaLtH2
Member
Well the testing is over and the final choice is the Code3 beacons.
And as promised....video:
And as promised....video:
tsquale
Lifetime VIP Donor
Is it just me or does the red seem brighter than the blue?
I'd speed up the rotator speed a little but overall I like it
I'd speed up the rotator speed a little but overall I like it
LRGJr72
Member
Red will always appear brighter in daylight. Blue appears brighter at night.
LRGJr72
Member
Watching the CBS Evenng News tonight with Scott Pelly & I saw this vintage-looking lightbar that had two LED beacons at either end of it. Possibly a Code 3 Arch? Whatever it was it had a great, easy to follow 'rotating' pattern with big blocks of light & long dwell time!
It's at 1:32 in the video.
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/northern-u-s-freezes-over-from-arctic-blast/
Looks like the Sheriff's agency that was discussed here a few months back
dmathieu
Lifetime VIP Donor