What minibar to suggest?

[ERM]

I have someone interested in mounting a couple LED minibars to a flatbed trailer. This trailer tilts down, so the bar mounted to it will be tilted as well. Are there any suggestions as to which bar has good vertical output and won't be totally useless when in the loading and unloading phase?


His current lights are grommet style lights mounted in the frame. When the trailer tilts, so do the lights and they are useless.


Thanks,


Tony

 

[cbpdogboy]

There are dump truck mounts that swivel when the bed is tilted. It allows the light bar to remain level while the bed tilts.

 

[NFD-102]

Whelen mini freedom. Linear technology will probably be the best

 

[firefighter31]

if he wants cheaper go with the whelen responder in lin configuration. really good output at all angles

 

[ERM]

There are dump truck mounts that swivel when the bed is tilted. It allows the light bar to remain level while the bed tilts.

Those I am aware of. Won't look good on the trailer he has. Was seeing if he could get away with a minibar that had a decent vertical spread.

 

[FSEP]

I don't think your going to get a light bar that has great vertical spread, since that isn't what the majority look for. You might do better with getting a couple of LIN based surface mount lights and get a modified L-bracket so it'll be at the right angle when the bed is lifted. To make it even better, modify it with an led flasher so it'll only be activated when the bucket is unloading.

 

[StEaLtH2]

The Guardian Strobe would be extremely effective for your parameters.. :yes:

 

[pdk9]

Honestly, you'll be pressed to find an LED bar that can be seen vertically, b/c most LED products are only designed for horizontal spread or head-on/direct spread. If he wants a minibar that can be seen from the sides & up top, strobe is the way to go. Yes, he'll likely have to replace them before he would have to replace a LED bar, but (then again) the strobe lightbars are about 1/2 the price and anything that sits on a trailer bed is likely to be damaged & require replacement several times

 

[Kd8bao]

If the trailer has a headache rack you could mount lights on the side aimed back. But mount them level with road when it's tilted. Could do as suggested above and make or modify L brackets along top of rack.

 

[kitn1mcc]

Personally i would go with some beacons

 

[ClintonPSE]

Star 9018 Lineum minibars would be my recommendation. They are intensely bright (Similar to a Freedom bright), but they don't come cheap...

 

[acala91]

What about a Whelen L31 beacon? I believe they have LEDs on the top of them, I'm not sure how bright they are though.

 

[FireMedic19]

What about a Whelen L31 beacon? I believe they have LEDs on the top of them, I'm not sure how bright they are though.

The LEDs on the top are not bright at all. You barely notice them at night, and no chance of even knowing they are there in the day light.

 

[FireMedic19]

Also, I've seen a few trucks in my area who have either beacons or mini lightbars mounted on a bracket that rotates when the bed is up, so the light stays level no matter the angle of the bed. They seem to work pretty good.

 

[TritonBoulder47]

What about a Whelen L31 beacon? I believe they have LEDs on the top of them, I'm not sure how bright they are though.

The LEDs on the top are not bright at all. You barely notice them at night, and no chance of even knowing they are there in the day light.

The LEDs on the top are for diagnostic purposes for the flasher boards and not for any type of warning...


Your best bet would be to get some sort of strobe beacon or minibar (like a Guardian style, not a Patriot style)

 

[dmathieu]

I say go with a swivel bracket. I know the OP said it wouldn't look good, but in this situation you can't have both looks, and proper warning.


Proper warning trumps looks.


Swivel bracket with minibar or beacon would do the job!

 

[chief1562]

PM sent

 

[GPC]

best bet if you don't want a swivel bracket is going to be strobe

 

[ERM]

Thanks for the replies guys. Actually, I thought about mounting linear heads vertically and suggested that thought to him. He liked that idea. The trailer is a 5th wheel style and has it's own battery, so connecting anything that draws a lot of power is frowned upon. That's why he wanted to stick with LED. Thanks for the suggestions.


Tony

 

[Kd8bao]

Thanks for the replies guys. Actually, I thought about mounting linear heads vertically and suggested that thought to him. He liked that idea. The trailer is a 5th wheel style and has it's own battery, so connecting anything that draws a lot of power is frowned upon. That's why he wanted to stick with LED. Thanks for the suggestions.

Tony

As long as the 5th is wired correctly the trailer battery is being charged from the tow vehicle. But you are correct the less draw the better

 

[zakovermyer]

Get a couple of powerarcs and mount them Vertically? Of course, a Mars 888 isn't out of the question either. :yes:

 

[strobecrazy]

Get a couple of powerarcs and mount them Vertically? Of course, a Mars 888 isn't out of the question either. :yes:

Great minds think alike, that is the first thing i thought when reading the OP. EDIT: Also what about turned surface mount intersectors?

 

[ERM]

Great minds think alike, that is the first thing i thought when reading the OP. EDIT: Also what about turned surface mount intersectors?

View attachment 64980

Hmmmm:undecided:

 

[TJW]

Not going to be the sexiest per say but I suspect it'll meet you needs.


9200H8L & 9200HL Series Star Halo? LED Mini-Bars - Star Headlight & Lantern Company - Amber Products


Refer to the following video for reference, specifically refer to the 4:20 time frame in the video and you can se the design/halo kicks a decent bit of light straight out the top (even on a poor rotator simulation pattern). Change that to a full quad flash and I'd say it'll surpass you clients needs, and should negate the need for a self levelling bracket.

The Halo mini bar contains two of those beacons which looks like a decent product.


Hope this helps ERM. Let us know what you pick in the end.

 

[FSEP]

Me thinks you need some powerarc lights now :undecided:

 

[Eric1249]

Me thinks you need some powerarc lights now :undecided:

I love mine. Best grille lights I have had yet