Posted: 8/7/2017 12:37:49 PM EDT
|
Okay. I need a led light bar for my work truck. I neede around a 32" but I see all sorts of different LED output ratings. How many lumens are enough? How many are too much? It will be used for offroad driving at night.
Thanks |
|
I found this one on amazon. 42k lumen https://www.amazon.com/Rigidhorse-Curved-Tri-row-41700LM-Offroad/dp/B06XQBJ6P4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502122964&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=led+light+bar+tri-row&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011&psc=1
Then I saw one on ebay with over 100k lumen. That seems like a ton of light.. |
|
Are you in need of a bar that tosses light down the road while you work, or do you need a flood type to toss light near the truck while working next to it?
Most of your bar style lights will give you a spot & flood pattern and covers fairly well for both down road and shoulder areas of the road. If you are working next to the truck, look at the single pods that are solely a flood light. I use a 50in curved, 480w spot/flood combo and a 12in 72w spot/flood combo. The 50in curved is godly bright and throws a lot of light to the sides and down the road. The 12in I use has the amber defuser on it as it is more for a dust light that lighting up the path. But without the defuser, it does toss a fair amount of light down the way. The 50in does over power this one and you cant tell the 12in bar is on with the 50 in on at the same time. For side lighting I use a 4in 18w flood pod. These point off to the sides like an alley light. They give decent area lighting. I only have one per side of the vehicle and still get a decent light to work with. If you need more light, or brighter, look at the options in the pods. But make sure to ge the beam pattern you may need for what you need the light to do. **EDIT** Also, with the light bars, always run it off the battery thru a fused relay. Don't power it from your rig wiring. The small pods I HAVE run two off vehicle wiring without an issues. If you do more, wiring harness is the safe bet. |
|
Quoted:
Are you in need of a bar that tosses light down the road while you work, or do you need a flood type to toss light near the truck while working next to it? Most of your bar style lights will give you a spot & flood pattern and covers fairly well for both down road and shoulder areas of the road. If you are working next to the truck, look at the single pods that are solely a flood light. I use a 50in curved, 480w spot/flood combo and a 12in 72w spot/flood combo. The 50in curved is godly bright and throws a lot of light to the sides and down the road. The 12in I use has the amber defuser on it as it is more for a dust light that lighting up the path. But without the defuser, it does toss a fair amount of light down the way. The 50in does over power this one and you cant tell the 12in bar is on with the 50 in on at the same time. For side lighting I use a 4in 18w flood pod. These point off to the sides like an alley light. They give decent area lighting. I only have one per side of the vehicle and still get a decent light to work with. If you need more light, or brighter, look at the options in the pods. But make sure to ge the beam pattern you may need for what you need the light to do. **EDIT** Also, with the light bars, always run it off the batter thru a fused relay. Don't power it from your rig wiring. The small pods I HAVE run two off vehicle wiring without an issues. If you do more, wiring harness is the safe bet. Thanks for the info. I would like it to light up the area close to the truck. 100 ft or so. A spot light out would just be an added bonus. |
|
Quoted:
@drumbic Thanks for the info. I would like it to light up the area close to the truck. 100 ft or so. A spot light out would just be an added bonus. Higher you can mount a bar, the better it is as not to blind you when you wanna walk back and fourth from where you are working. These light bars are bright and blinding as shit! The pods are not to to bad on the blinding part while working near by them. This type of truck or smaller, I would say pods will be your friend off the side of the rig... 
This type of rig, bar may better suit you... 
ALOT of it comes down to your application and what you need out of it. Whatever it is, think about an installation that you can move the light around to point it where you need it and not such a "fixed" location. Moving a light is easier than moving an entire rig. |
|
Quoted:
For cheap LED's (i.e. Not rigid) I've had good luck with eyourlife off amazon. There's probably only a couple factories but I know those will work, are bright, and won't leak. the 24 inch is on the front of my Tahoe and it will throw plenty of light down the road, up into the trees and I think I saw it actually lighting up the road behind me once...  seriously its not that focused of a beam but it really illuminates a wide area.
|
|
Quoted:
Its a F250 with a grille guard. I do a lot of offroad driving at night traversing both 2 track roads and making my own. I need to be able to see whats in my path and where I am going. I have approx 35" of room on that grille guard to mount a light. |
|
Quoted:
Id do a Rigid 30" and a couple duallys down where the fog lights go. Rigid Ford specific, I have tried other cheap brands, the light isn't as good, and they just don't last, I've seen some cheap brands where sections go out, and repair isn't a option. To be honest any good well known company will do you good, I've seen KC Highlghters, Baja Designs as well as other well known brands that look as well built also. If you compare the know brands vs the unknowns you can see why their allot cheaper. |
|
Quoted:
Id do a Rigid 30" and a couple duallys down where the fog lights go. Rigid Ford specific, I have tried other cheap brands, the light isn't as good, and they just don't last, I've seen some cheap brands where sections go out, and repair isn't a option. To be honest any good well known company will do you good, I've seen KC Highlghters, Baja Designs as well as other well known brands that look as well built also. If you compare the know brands vs the unknowns you can see why their allot cheaper. |
| I was looking at that exact light. |
|
Ill have to look at the ebay when I get off the work computer. :)
Quoted:
what do you guys think of the curved 30" bars with floods an spots mixed in.. ? |
| I have an eyeyourlife 52" and a 24 on my Jeep. I've been running them for 2 years now. I have found that the best thing you can do is take off the front frame via the allen screws and RTV the lens around the perimeter. Both of mine got condensation inside and this has fixed them long term. |
|
I have installed a few of these on various pieces of equipment, I like having a smaller light bar and separate spot lights on the side
that can be pointed to the side a little. This 24" bar is available in 36" as well. These light bars are 29.99 on Amazon, they are better quality then the ones I bought at Tractor supply for $135.00. Except for the one I caught on fire they have all been terrific. Mounting hardware is stainless. Attached File Spot lights 24" LED light bar |
|
I have a 20" Sirius bar (pro model). Parked next to my friends 20" Rigid E series, you cant tell the difference on a dark road. They aren't as cheap as some other amazon and ebay lights, but still cheaper than Rigid. Externally you can't tell the difference aside from the missing "Rigid" plastered all over the front.
I have had it for about 3 years now and use it at least twice a week for an hour or so. When I am at the MIL's house in PA, its on for hours while driving the back roads. Sirius pro bar at motoalliance |
|
I have two of these Nilights LED light bars on my Kubota RTV. Tons of light. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again if I needed them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012CGFOOQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 
|