[haurp00ned]

hey all, im kinda sorta new to this still.
and i was just wondering how would you recommend wiring up some rock lights underneath the car? and what would you recommend me on using ? cheers.

[want33s]

Fix the light under the car. Run some wires to a relay.
Fix a switch to the dash.
Run wire from fused source to the switch, then relay.

Bosch mini relay 30A will be plenty if you use small wattage lights.

EG: 4 X 55Watt lights = 220Watts total.

220Watts divided by 12Volts = 18.3Amps.

Run 25Amp cable and you'll be sweet.

[abclarke]

Also depends what lights you want to run too, if you want to go the LED strip option or the normal globes?

[tanshi]

to me these http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1058739 look really good.

[haurp00ned]

i was going to go for normal globes

[haurp00ned]

and cheers for that want33s

[tanshi]

normal globes are going to be prone to damage from flying rocks stocks and mud.

[haurp00ned]

yes this is very true, well for the ones in the link you posted would i still have to do the sorta same thing as what want33s said for the wiring up of them?

[tanshi]

yep, pretty sure that will be fine.

[86slowsierra]

atari built one that was better than that.IMO.
ta da http://www.auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=20363&hilit=atari+rock+lights

alot less wire work/feeding through panels n shit.

[bakerboy]

Led all the way, cheap, low power consumption, compact. Would be crazy going halogen lights

[want33s]

bakerboy wrote:

Led all the way, cheap, low power consumption, compact. Would be crazy going halogen lights

LED's are GETTING cheap, DO have very low power consumption and ARE compact, but that is the problem I found with them.
The smaller the light the easier it is reduced to darkness by a covering of mud. The bigger the light, the less often you need to wipe it clean.

I ran 6 supercrap 55W egg sized lights for ages, they were so good for crawling I turned the headlights down to parkers. A good budget solution.

Buggy will be LED's but instead of 6 lights I'll have about 30.

[Gwagensteve]

I'm going to edge towards being a hater here, but I think for most conditions rock lights are a touch, well, ghey.

Thing is, rock lights aren't for the driver - they are for the spotters when you are in super technical terrain. If your spotters have quality torches they make rock lights much less necessary.

I've been in a couple of situations where rock lights would have been useful... but they really are for very technical conditions, not for going for a "night drive"

If you find yourself in the position where you are calling to your spotters "how far is the LHR from dropping off that ledge" or "how far can I back up before dropping off" (and they are struggling to see) then maybe they are a reasonable investment. I certainly can't justify them. Carry a couple of good quality LED torches. - I scored two quality LED torches from Costco for $25 (Cree LED :armsup:) -had them to your spotters and they will be ab;e to help you far more than some lights under the car that may or may not work/be dirty or broken/put the light where you want it.

just my 2C.. I thought I wanted them once.

Steve.

[SierraDan]

They're not really useful on a normal track with all kinds of terrains and dirt and crap.
But i love mine for dry rock and creekbeds and things. With no doors its great to be able to see where your wheels are and what the car is doing and when you turn your headlights off your navi can see where everything is and give accurate direction.

I'm planning to have 4 LED reverse/work lights under mine, front back and either side. Plenty of light.

[Gwagensteve]

I'd suggest that SierraDan is definitely someone who drives stuff where rock lights would be a huge benefit. There arent many people who regularly drive that sort of terrain.

Steve.

[just_cruizin]

With out a navie - useless

With a good navie - brilliant

[SierraDan]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I'd suggest that SierraDan is definitely someone who drives stuff where rock lights would be a huge benefit. There arent many people who regularly drive that sort of terrain.

Steve.

I even only use them on rock. Seeing as they are ROCK lights

Pretty pointless to have lights under your car if you've driving along a track that requires no planning or direction.

[bakerboy]

yeah exactly, as for the mud issue, it hasnt rained here since jesus was in nappies so its not too much of an issue

[alien]

i've found turning off my headlights (or asking the vehicle im spotting to turn theirs off) does a far better job in helping my spotter guide me at night, as they're not blinded by the headlights in the first place... then as steve said - good torches go a LONG way on a night run.

The other thing to consider with rock lights, is you need to keep them clean - which means doing some mud before hitting the rocks isnt going to be ideal.

[christover1]

I find side lights to be indisensible, especially at night in the hills.
Can avoid dropping into ditches on tight turns,
as headlights only point straight ahead.
These are elcheapo super crap 55watt driving lights.

Also good for spotting house numbers etc.

[larry]

another option that i reckon would go alright would be halogen (or LED replacement fittings) downlights, theyre cheap, throw out plenty of light, sealed globe, 50 watts
i have one in my back bumper as a reversing light and its bright as


LED strips or something would be my choice i reckon

[larry]

just found these, might have to order a couple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulb-Waterproof ... 047wt_1270

[bazook]

those strips are bright i did mine the same i put it in clear pipe and silicooned the ends

[Scales]

love the side light idea. saw switches for them at customrockers and was wondering what the benefit would be, but it kinda makes sense when i think about it. 360 degree lighting

totally agree with Steve's opinion on rocklights, and can see the advantage of Dan having them, shit just look at his avatar pic and you can see why.

but for anyone else, a decent torch in the hand of the guide would be enough.

[Sandez]

tanshi wrote:

to me these http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1058739 look really good.

These are the same as the ones that I have gone for, but I went for the plastic ones (shown in the second post of your link (mine are white)), the reason being is the metal ones had the wires coming out from LEDs which I didnt like. Otherwise they are the same, and a very bright light indeed.

want33s wrote:

bakerboy wrote:

Led all the way, cheap, low power consumption, compact. Would be crazy going halogen lights

LED's are GETTING cheap, DO have very low power consumption and ARE compact, but that is the problem I found with them.
The smaller the light the easier it is reduced to darkness by a covering of mud. The bigger the light, the less often you need to wipe it clean.

I ran 6 supercrap 55W egg sized lights for ages, they were so good for crawling I turned the headlights down to parkers. A good budget solution.

Buggy will be LED's but instead of 6 lights I'll have about 30.

For $26 (delivered) you can have 20 squares each containing 4x5050 SMD LEDs and consuming ~1.4W each (Link). So for 11.2W (8 total, 1 LED at the front and rear of each wheel) you'll achieve the same desired result as consuming 330W. Also, since they come as 20, I've installed 2 inside as a rear boot light (almost too bright to use), and 2 underneath the bonnet for an engine light. Will have 8 left over after I've done all that, so in terms of value for money I cant see them being beaten.

larry wrote:

just found these, might have to order a couple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulb-Waterproof ... 047wt_1270

I have these lights, stripped them out and put 3UP XML 10W LEDs inside each of them, 4 in total, and using them as spotlights. For the price, the casing is fantastic. I'd post a link to my buildup but the pictures are dead so theres no point.

[whincup]

i copied atari's idea with the led strips underneath the car... i havent really needed to use them while 4wding much yet, however i find its perfect for airing up/down at night, and i can see under the car properly to do post-trip damage checks before driving home at night. also, put the car on the edge of the campsite, it gives out enough light to just see the ground about 10 metres either side. plus, the amount of power it uses it could be left on overnight and still be able to start the car the next day.

[larry]

sandez wrote:

larry wrote:

just found these, might have to order a couple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulb-Waterproof ... 047wt_1270

I have these lights, stripped them out and put 3UP XML 10W LEDs inside each of them, 4 in total, and using them as spotlights. For the price, the casing is fantastic. I'd post a link to my buildup but the pictures are dead so theres no point.

http://www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum ... uild-guide
i found this that you posted, and im very interested in making a few of these up, do you still have the pics that you could upload again, or could you take some pics of the finished product and night time pics
do you reckon the ones i posted will be any good as a spotlight or dont bother and just make some the same as yours

i do love the sound of 12,000 lumens

[sideways]

christover1 wrote:

I find side lights to be indisensible, especially at night in the hills.
Can avoid dropping into ditches on tight turns,
as headlights only point straight ahead.
These are elcheapo super crap 55watt driving lights.

Also good for spotting house numbers etc.

I plan to build those into my bulbar when I build that, I've even got 2 lights damn near identical to those!

Anyone know the legalities of these?

[bakerboy]

legalities? for what? the fitment location or their use?

[christover1]

I think "work lights" are legal,
as long as they can be switched off,
but its just my interpretation of Vic laws.