Lights+Power

[Jam]

Well ladies and gents,

It seems that I like asking questions......and making new threads to ask them.

I was wondering what you guys use for lights on your racks for your rigs. I want something cheap, affordable, but still have some good performance.

On my backrack, I have 2 flood lights. They bright up just about everything in a parking lot...But I dont know if Id be able to see far enough with them to make a difference facing forward.

Another question! For all you awesome people out...

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[Jam]

Ahhh, Just for back roads and me and my buddy from arnprior (Id obviously be leading...And be extremely careful on the roads, ONLY use in dead country roads NOT NEAR HOUSES)

 

[O.D.]

It's for hunting from May to October :lmao:

 

[Mitko]

This may not be the answer you are looking for, but why do you need extra lights? Been there, done that, and found it to be a waste of time and money. Unless you plan on running night trails and leading the whle time, it is not nice to have 1000watts up your ass on the trails. Leave the lights to the mall crawlers.

:smokin:

X2.... plus no matter how many lights you'll put they will be the first thing you will loose in our trails... if you come with us.

 

[mucovich]

x3 on that, I used to run lights on my front bumper but never used them and where subject to all sorts of abuse on the trail. They just weren't worth it so i removed them. Lights on the roof will be the first to go, i don't believe there are too many trails out there that are roof light friendly.

 

[Logan]

I have those 4 light on my roof with zero issues. Use them all the time in the summer.I have them hooked up to a 30amp relay.

 

[Jam]

Well, I dont plan on hitting crazy trails or anything. Its a K2500 3/4 ton 6.5T diesel. With a plow mount on the front of it. Its more of a "From Arnprior to Renfrew, you can take the highway, or this mud trail" and I prefer the trail

Just smaller mud runs, and some hunting trails kind of thing....Plus, waking your hungover friend up with 1000 watts of lights in the morning is fun?

Im keeping the truck an everyday driver until I can pick up a gas truck. Then the plow mounts are coming off and its getting jacked, armored, and muddy.

I was asking for PRODUCTS AND INFORMATION, not for 5 people to tell me it wouldnt be good on their trails.... (Not trying to sound angry or like a jerk...)

James

 

[Twinkie]

Well, from the responses, you've probably already figured out this isn't the forum to ask that question in. For our rides, 1000+ watts of lights isn't needed, a good set of headlights, and maybe some underbody/rock lights is all we need. We've been through the 6 lights forward/2 lights back phase, and get tired of replacing them due to low hanging tree's and rocks.

 

[Mitko]

My hopes is to be able to run 6 dual beam floodlights on the backrack (55 watts per bulb......12x55=660 watts)

If someone can find out for me, A large Double Double will be awarded.

According to this http://www.diyalarmforum.com/ohms-law-calculator/ you'll be drawing 55A current which your bateries and alternator will handle, assuming everything is in proper working condition and properly wired.

 

[Dirk]

hhmm... 660W @ 12 V = 55A.....as Mitko pointed out, but I saw that too late. Wattage is Voltage * Amperage.
subtract that from what your alternators output is and that whats left to run your factory lights, radio, blower motor, lift pump, etc....

or forget the calculating and just don't do it.....:beer:

and easy on the snorkle hating....:flipoff:

 

[szabotage]

Well ladies and gents,

It seems that I like asking questions......and making new threads to ask them.

I was wondering what you guys use for lights on your racks for your rigs. I want something cheap, affordable, but still have some good performance.

try princess, they sell KC knock offs for like 20 bucks a piece and even come in those fancy gas coloured lenses all the mallcrawlers crave. performance gains between 10-15 HP.

On my backrack, I have 2 flood lights. They bright up just about everything in a parking lot...But I dont know if Id be able to see far enough with them to make a difference facing forward.

are you running baja? seriously, unless your bombing down the trail at 100km/h you don't need to worry about whats at the other end of the trail/ parking lot. just negotiate one curb at a time. worry about the one thats 200ft away when you get to it.

Ive got a 1996 GMC K2500 SLE (6.5 Turbo diesel) and im wondering how much power worth of lights (Wattage) I can crank through it. I dont want to push my limits and get 10k down the road and have my 2 batteries die on me.

Stock alternator on my truck...How much power in watts can I run (Including the truck actually running too....) before im in trouble?

My hopes is to be able to run 6 dual beam floodlights on the backrack (55 watts per bulb......12x55=660 watts)

If someone can find out for me, A large Double Double will be awarded.

Thanks so much!

James

how bout a higher amperage alt? I believe you can get GM alts as high as 155 amp, or maybe install a 2nd alt. so where's my large DD :flipoff:

 

[Jam]

Uhhh, As I stated....Its a plow truck aswell........Which you kind of need to see as far as possible when doing 40k through a parking lot on ice and slick.

I didnt ask for your personal opinions, I respect yall for it and I respect your opinions....But theyre all the same.

And, for performance I meant brightness, durability, and life.

And a question ABOUT the alternator I have was suggested...Not just to buy a new one.



Thanks to yall who actually try and help me with my questions. Thanks for your time other people, but just take it easy?

James

 

[Farm Boy]

I was wondering what you guys use for lights on your racks for your rigs. I want something cheap, affordable, but still have some good performance.

I didnt ask for your personal opinions, I respect yall for it and I respect your opinions....But theyre all the same.

And, for performance I meant brightness, durability, and life.

And a question ABOUT the alternator I have was suggested...Not just to buy a new one.

Uh, actually you did ask for personal opinions. All the opinions are the same for a reason, none of us use extra lights -- we even had a discussion a while back about lights 'cause some didn't have headlights or tail lights at all.

If you tell us what alt you have, we can tell you if it would likely work but so far, you are the only one that can look under the hood to see exactly what is there -- on a 15 yr old truck, there is as good a chance as not that the alt is no longer the original one, and even at that, there were different options from the factory.

As far as being able to see doing 40k thru a parking lot, you'd have to ask your plowing buddies -- or slow down, I've known lots of plow guys and they never drive that fast -- not anywhere near enough control.

We know what works and doesn't for the trail.

:beer:

 

[Jam]

Actually, that quote is asking for what you used on your rigs, Not your opinion on me doing it it couldve been a simple "I dont use any lights on my rig".

Not trying to step on toes, or stomp on your fingers or anything

And sorry, I didnt know that it says on it (Shouldve checked...durrrr....)

Thank you for your constructive thoughts.

And as far as doing 40k in a parking lot, when you do commercial parking lots you dont have as much time to do the work. Some days drive slower (for the smaller snowfalls) but you need to slam the bank to push it back. (until you find out theres a solid metal door laying down in the parking lot lol)

I didnt ask for lights specifically for the plowing, and parking lots....I want to see whats coming my way the best I can on the trails that I know.

Again, not to piss anybody off. Its all in good intent, and none is angry. (Mix of smartass-ness, and sarcasm)

Again, thanks everyone.

 

[Twinkie]

the housing is made of rubber so it bounces off trees like a fawking bobble head.

Hey...now *this* is a good idea! "Bobble Head" TM mounts for your off road lights. Heading to the patent office this morning...

 

[Kunker]

For constructive advice:

I had a set of "driving lights" my dad "borrowed" from work. No idea on wattage or anything, they'd probably be close to 20 years old now. Set them up on the front of my Nissan for back road driving, and they turned night into daylight. You don't need 1000W, I'm willing to bet mine were under 150, probably under 100, and they were more light than I ever needed.

Keep in mind when you mount them, of hood glare (if mounting high) and your plow/mount if mounting low.

And as said, when you get sick of replacing broken lights, you'll realize how little you really need them.

Good luck, and make sure you wire them properly - relays and fuses (at least that's what I did).

 

[Jam]

Thanks guys. And yeah Mud Lite, dont look in the free horses mouth. I was just playing around, sorry if I offended any of you guys.

Thanks alot for your help, its truly appreciated.

James

 

[szabotage]

back in my snow removal days, I never had a problem with visibility. but if I were to pick my fave, it was a pair of old tractor floods from PA on top of a backhoe. they weren't more than 100w but the height they were at and the spread of the beam made the difference. I've done almost every vehicle including dual and tri axle dumps with 20 some aux. lights on the bumper and they don't compare to a pair of el cheapo floods set up properly.

if you want more info, maybe you should join a snowplow forum for their advice, cuz any real offroader here will tell you no lights is best.

 

[Farm Boy]

Oh ya, Don't forget to get szabotage his DD

 

[Kunker]

if you want more info, maybe you should join a snowplow forum for their advice, cuz any real offroader here will tell you no lights is best.

I'm also on plowsite, and funny thing is, most of old timers run with no headlights when plowing commercial lots...all the glare back off of the snow screws up visibility. Just running lights/strobes to let the rest of the crew know where they are.