Off road lighting

[GoodTimes]

Ok. So the next thing my jeep gets is some aux. lighting. This is coming in 2 forms. First will be some improvised "rock lights" to illuminate the chassis and the ground underneath the jeep for those night runs on the more difficult trails. Second, will be the more traditional off road lights. I will first mount a set of lights on the windsheild frame (pencil beam, or more commonly known as "spot" lights). Using this type of light is benificial up on the windshield frame because you don't get much glare off of the hood, like you would if you used a flood (AKA "driving" ) light. I am also considering replacing the two bumper mounted driving lights with some that offer a little more light. The OE driving lights are 55watt, and have a very flat, wide beam pattern.

So....what is everyone running for lights, and what problems have you had with them?

Personally, I am leaning towards polycarbonate lenses, away from mild steel bodies (rust), and am looking at 100 watts and up.

OK, a set of these would be cool (1.5 million candlepower), but the price tag scares me.
http://www.off-roadlights.com/lightf02[1].jpg

So I am kinda leaning towards these (351,000 candle power) in the 170mm size.
http://www.off-roadlights.com/LF170.jpg

Anyone have any experience with them? They have a good reputation, but I have never talked to anyone that has used them.


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[JackSilb]

Nice stuff.
Price?

Hella has some $70.00 for the pair.
The ones you shown seem to not have the lens effect to focus the bean.

I had so many. I love playing with them
The ones I have are PIAAs. They are metal body, you can swap the 55W light-bulb with 70 or 90w. No rust after 6 year of use. But I have not scratched them yet.
I have some smaller driving and fog light that I like a lot. They are blazertech. Still metal body so the heat can dissipate. Glass lens. Broke a lens during the last trip. But the others are very clean still. I am not sure polycarbonate will be clear for long, nor you can swap the light-bulbs for more power e.g., 100W.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...

[GoodTimes]

I am worried about glass lenses breaking, especially on a expensive light. I have already had rocks break one headlight, one driving light, my windshield, and put ALOT of chips in the paint. The front of the jeep seems to be a rock magnet.

The reason for liking the lightforce lights is that they are polycarbonate (won't break), I can change the beam pattern with a different lens (up to a point....if you want to change any good light TOO much, you will need to change the shape of the reflector), and they offer a very high lumen vs watt ratio. A 100 watt bulb is putting out 350,000+ candlepower. No one else will even put their numbers up, but in the past, I have not had good luck with the 'cheap' ($30) off road lights. The 170mm lights up above sell for ~$180 per pair. The HID lights (first pic), sell for ~$1400 per pair! But of course, you get 1.5 million candlepower........I suppose if I had a sponser, and a race truck, then I would think about those bad boys.....


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[JackSilb]

GoodTimes,

For the lack of replies here, you are doing a good job. I liked your homework.
How about the ones that ARB resells? Forgot the brand. That is another option.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...

[BajaTaco]

Goodtimes, I am with you all the way on the LightForce. Those are the ones I have always wanted to get for my truck. So, I cannot give you an opinion based on experience, but my research has sold me on them pretty much like yours has. I have talked to one TTORA member from Texas who is very happy with the set he is running. If you do get some, I will be anxious to go on a night run with you to see how they do.


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[GoodTimes]

Hey Chris, how 'bout some specs on your rock lights?

I was thinking about going LED to keep my power requirements low enough to run the OE alternator, but I have never delt with LED lighting in this type of application before. So I am unsure about light output, reliability in harsh enviroments, etc....

Everyone I talk to is just putting cheap driving lights under their trucks, but this creates some shadow and glare problems that I would like to avoid. As I recall, your lights didnt have nearly as harsh of, or concentrated, light as others.


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[BajaTaco]

The lights I am using aresome clear PVC "rope lights" that I got on sale at a Target store. I got 2 strands which plug end to end and gave me enough to go all the way around my chassis frame. They are hooked up to a power inverter that is mounted under my seat. The inverter is switched at the dash. The advantage to them is that they are waterproof, and they don't get busted up in the rocks like so many conventional rock lights that I see. They also throw a nice, even glow under the truck.</div>
BUT, I am probably going to ditch them for two reasons - 1. They are a little too dim for my liking, especially after they get a good coat of dust and grime on them. 2. The only way I could see to reasonably attach them was with zip-ties. This is okay, but I know they will get brittle and have to be replaced eventually. I just don't like the whole zip-tie idea because there are so many of them. I know it's really no different than running awire cable and using zip-ties (that's effectively what the rope light is - a cable) but I would rather have a cleaner installation.</div>



I really like your idea of LED's. Let's look into this. If you could find them already set up on 12v and with a good reflector and housing, that would be great. If you have your high-powered off-road lights already on, and the radio (and fridge.. hahaha) why add more stress to the alternator with rock lights? Let's change yer name to "Goodthinking" hehe</div>



http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[GoodTimes]

I have done a little research on the LED's. 12v LED's are readily available in a variety of configurations, from single pieces to pre-assembled, 1000 LED lights. Cost is going to be a issue though. I need to figure out how much useable light each LED will produce. I think that this will end up being trial and error.

Hmmmm....maybe I should start a thread about LED lighting.http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/idea.gif


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[JackSilb]

GoodTimes,

Pay attention to the power / (luminescence) of the LED. 10 LEDs is not the same as 10 of hight power LEDs. I am sure you know that.
Anyway, the ones people use on flashlights are very good.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...