LED lights for UTV

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - LED lights for UTV

Posted: 9/29/2021 10:53:35 AM EDT

are there any brands to stay away from?

looking for a 30"ish front light bar and 2 utility lights for the rear

Posted: 9/29/2021 11:32:21 AM EDT

[#1]

I never added any to mine, but here are a bunch of ideas.

https://www.wolverineforums.com/forums/audio-lighting-and-electrical.16/

Posted: 9/29/2021 11:37:09 AM EDT

[#2]

Buy Rigid Industries for every and all things and never look back. They aren't cheap but, you'll get what pay for.
Rigid

Posted: 9/29/2021 1:04:13 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buy Rigid Industries for every and all things and never look back. They aren't cheap but, you'll get what pay for.
Rigid

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you ain't kiddin' WOWZA

Posted: 9/30/2021 2:29:31 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buy Rigid Industries for every and all things and never look back. They aren't cheap but, you'll get what pay for.
Rigid

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This , or Baja Design . Worth every penny

Posted: 9/30/2021 2:52:14 PM EDT

[#5]

30 dollar light bar on amazon

Posted: 10/1/2021 9:08:35 AM EDT

[#6]

Ive bought Nilight from Amazon and have beat the ever living shit out of it at riding parks and no issues and its way cheaper than the brands marketed towards UTV.

Posted: 10/1/2021 9:19:59 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ive bought Nilight from Amazon and have beat the ever living shit out of it at riding parks and no issues and its way cheaper than the brands marketed towards UTV.

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I love my Nilights!

The light bar in the center on the bumper was installed on my RTV-900 for over 5 years; here it is now installed on my RTV-XG850 Sidekick.

Posted: 10/1/2021 9:25:03 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ive bought Nilight from Amazon and have beat the ever living shit out of it at riding parks and no issues and its way cheaper than the brands marketed towards UTV.

View Quote

This.

I've got 4 Nilight 3'' pods (ditch lights and on my bed rack for camping) on my truck and a 20'' light bar. Zero issues on it - and I got all of those for less than a single Rigid pod light.

Posted: 10/7/2021 1:29:55 PM EDT

[#9]

Another thumbs up for Rigid. My buddy went cheap and the light bar he bought is yellowing.

Posted: 10/7/2021 1:40:00 PM EDT

[#10]

Not sure what kind of utv you have but you can check out https://www.roughcountry.com/lighting-and-accessories/lights.html
they have vehicle specific brackets and all lights come with an easy install and great quality relay harness with a switch.
put a set of ditch lights on my pioneer 1000-5 last week and it only took me about 30 minutes to install them.

Posted: 10/7/2021 1:49:29 PM EDT

[#11]

The answer to your question depends entirely on what your budget allows.

I wasn't tryna spend Rigid money on a golf cart. These Kawell side-shooter cubes work great for me.

Posted: 11/10/2021 8:17:17 AM EDT

[#12]

Got 8 Road Shock LED pods to install soon. Pair of 3", then 6 rock lights.

Haven't installed them yet but they seem very nice. DT series connectors, well thought out mounts, enough heft to at least seem durable.

Posted: 11/19/2021 12:46:47 PM EDT

[#13]

I build my own. Even infrared for NV riding. This is 850mn spectrum in pitch black.

Attached File

Posted: 11/19/2021 3:55:38 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I build my own. Even infrared for NV riding. This is 850mn spectrum in pitch black.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/XQE_0032_2__jpg-2172742.JPG

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That's badass!

Posted: 11/20/2021 7:57:41 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
I build my own. Even infrared for NV riding. This is 850mn spectrum in pitch black.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/XQE_0032_2__jpg-2172742.JPG

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Details, we need them ASAP!

Posted: 11/20/2021 1:12:05 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I build my own. Even infrared for NV riding. This is 850mn spectrum in pitch black.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/XQE_0032_2__jpg-2172742.JPG

View Quote

You win!

Tell us more how you DIY please

Posted: 11/20/2021 7:11:55 PM EDT

[#17]

Posted: 11/21/2021 9:04:40 AM EDT

[#18]

@Cole2534 @Garyindiane @Blowout

A mini DYI...

Order whatever LED bulk strip you desire on Amazon. Visible color or IR. I think the 850mn i last bought was $45 for 20' feet. 12 volt DC. The LED strips have cut lines. Cut to length. At the cut lines there are two solder points, a + and -. Poke a hole in those with a large needle. Insert wire and solder in leads.

Take note that the cut ends are conductive, so insulate with some Scotch tape (this will be mounted to aluminum)

You need a way to protect the insulated strips and mount to your vehicle. I use these aluminum "angle" bars from Home Depot. Pic:

Attached File

The 3/4" face will be the mounting surface. The overhanging 1/2" face serves as a protective ledge for the LEDs. Tuck strip under the 1/2" overhang and the 3/4" will have room for drilled mounting holes.

The LEDs have an adhesive backing. Cut aluminum to size and stick LED strip to aluminum. See next post for that pic. Arfcom photo size limit.

Posted: 11/21/2021 9:10:01 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
30 dollar light bar on amazon

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This. I've got one on both my ATVs. You can buy the light with a harness to wire it up cheap.

Posted: 11/21/2021 9:15:25 AM EDT

[#20]

Part 2

@Cole2534 @Garyindiane @Blowout

Pic of soldered end:

Attached File

Note that i bound that lead end with a tiny nylon tie. That is to prevent the lead end from being snagged out on a limb or whatever.

Completed strip:

Attached File

Not quite finished. These LEDs do not come with an insulating layer like some. Caulk on a bead of 100% clear silicone caulk over the face of the LEDs. Small bead, then smear smooth with a finger. Not a lot is needed. Allow to dry, then mount/wire in.

The aluminum is also fairly pliable, so if you want a curved bar, bend before adhering the LEDs.

Also note that you could paint the aluminum rails before attaching LED strip. That would tame the brightness of appearance.

Posted: 11/21/2021 9:20:04 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

This.

I've got 4 Nilight 3'' pods (ditch lights and on my bed rack for camping) on my truck and a 20'' light bar. Zero issues on it - and I got all of those for less than a single Rigid pod light.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Ive bought Nilight from Amazon and have beat the ever living shit out of it at riding parks and no issues and its way cheaper than the brands marketed towards UTV.

This.

I've got 4 Nilight 3'' pods (ditch lights and on my bed rack for camping) on my truck and a 20'' light bar. Zero issues on it - and I got all of those for less than a single Rigid pod light.

This .....my niilights are awesome and cheap

Posted: 11/21/2021 9:26:33 AM EDT

[#22]

I bought 3 of those eBay $29 20”
Light bars with good luck. 2 mounted on tractors and sold the 3rd as it was too big for the light cutout in my utv.

Tractor ones I’ve used for a few years now.
Adding some Cube work lights too.

Got a 18” and perfect with a $15 rocker switch wire kit

My Polaris ranger stock headlight

Attached File

lightbar mounted on roof

Attached File

Posted: 11/21/2021 11:19:05 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Part 2

@Cole2534 @Garyindiane @Blowout

Pic of soldered end:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/20211121_065550_jpg-2175340.JPG

Note that i bound that lead end with a tiny nylon tie. That is to prevent the lead end from being snagged out on a limb or whatever.

Completed strip:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/20211121_065500_jpg-2175349.JPG

Not quite finished. These LEDs do not come with an insulating layer like some. Caulk on a bead of 100% clear silicone caulk over the face of the LEDs. Small bead, then smear smooth with a finger. Not a lot is needed. Allow to dry, then mount/wire in.

The aluminum is also fairly pliable, so if you want a curved bar, bend before adhering the LEDs.

Also note that you could paint the aluminum rails before attaching LED strip. That would tame the brightness of appearance.

View Quote

Nice!

I never considered using strip leds.
Makes sense though.

Posted: 11/21/2021 12:29:05 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Part 2

@Cole2534 @Garyindiane @Blowout

Pic of soldered end:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/20211121_065550_jpg-2175340.JPG

Note that i bound that lead end with a tiny nylon tie. That is to prevent the lead end from being snagged out on a limb or whatever.

Completed strip:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/413035/20211121_065500_jpg-2175349.JPG

Not quite finished. These LEDs do not come with an insulating layer like some. Caulk on a bead of 100% clear silicone caulk over the face of the LEDs. Small bead, then smear smooth with a finger. Not a lot is needed. Allow to dry, then mount/wire in.

The aluminum is also fairly pliable, so if you want a curved bar, bend before adhering the LEDs.

Also note that you could paint the aluminum rails before attaching LED strip. That would tame the brightness of appearance.

View Quote

Thank you for posting your DIY on the IR lights!!

I also found some security camera IR lights that could work as a waterproof option.