Calgary Jeep Association

Author Topic: Too much light?  (Read 3022 times)

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Offline johndeeretimex

  • Baby Wheeler
  • Posts: 91
Too much light?
« on: November 22, 2012, 10:16:52 AM »
When does havi g too much light for your jeep become an issue? I am thinking of putting a light bar on my jk with five lights, Just worried that this my run my battery died sooner than I think! What is safe for the amount of lights on the jk?

Offline w squared

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2012, 10:33:42 AM »
That completely depends on what else is running on the electrical system (big speakers, CB radio, HAM radio, winch, refrigerator, hot tub, rice cooker....)

It also depends on what sort of electrical system you have. Stock (crappy battery), or have you upgraded it? Stock alternator, or have you upgraded that? How old is your battery? How much abuse has it suffered through?

It also depends on what sort of lights you want to add. Are we talking 20 watt, 55 watt, or 110 watt bulbs? HID lights will only use half to 1/3 of what a halogen light will use....and LED lights use even less.

As long as you have a good quality battery and there is nothing wrong with your charging system, you are probably fine to add 3 or 5 "ordinary" off-road lights to a JK. Just don't complain when people start making fun of you for having a light bar.
I followed a rainbow out to a garage and found a leprichaun. The rainbow ended in a potted cactus on his porch, but there was no gold :(

Offline morerpmfred

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2012, 10:49:53 AM »
Anything over 100 watts total lights you get white out on signs. Ie driving on the highway at 3 in the morning in the middle of nowhere and there is a stop/direction sign or any sign the sign is like totally white and you can not see what it says.
So for me I have 100 watts on high beam and 100 watts driving lights. So with all on can not see road signs at all. Just high beams on you still have to pat attention but you can read what it says. Driving lights are for if I break. Headlight.

Offline Joe Dirt

  • Winch Wench
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  • Over it..Threw it.. Never around it!!!
Re: Too much light?
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2012, 11:44:27 AM »
I have 1.6 million candle watt on the front of my Jeep. . I love it.  The guy in front of me doesn't.  Haha
Joe Dirt!! That's right... You heard it... I am here.. AND I DONT DRIVE NO HEMI!!!

98 XJ - 5 1/2" lift - 33's - 10,000 lb winch - Eaton Front Diff Locker - Detroit Rear Diff Limited Slip - Rubicon springs - Dana 44 Axle/Diffs w/ Warn locks - Irock T ca

Offline w squared

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I followed a rainbow out to a garage and found a leprichaun. The rainbow ended in a potted cactus on his porch, but there was no gold :(

Offline Vinman

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2012, 04:35:43 PM »
You can NEVER have too many lights on a JK
I suggest 5 on a roof mounted light bar, 4 on the front bumper and a pair on the windshield post.
/l ,[____],
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Offline johndeeretimex

  • Baby Wheeler
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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2012, 08:24:33 PM »
right now I have 2 ipf 12V 55watt H3 globes on the side of the jk and looking to add a light bar with more ipf but i think i would over power the battery so those led lights are looking better now! any ideas on led lights?

Offline WhiteOut

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2012, 08:44:41 PM »
VisionX or Rigid Industries.

I have 4 of the 2" x 2" pods and love them. Jeep will be getting one more bar probably (probably a 20") and the new truck is getting Dually D2s put in the fog light location.

Offline johndeeretimex

  • Baby Wheeler
  • Posts: 91
Re: Too much light?
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2012, 08:53:22 PM »
VisionX or Rigid Industries.

I have 4 of the 2" x 2" pods and love them. Jeep will be getting one more bar probably (probably a 20") and the new truck is getting Dually D2s put in the fog light location.

did you get the d2? 2 driving and 2 flood

Offline WhiteOut

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Offline vantagetes

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2012, 10:57:08 PM »
I have two of the solos on my work truck. If you wanna go blind as me to turn one on some time.

Offline dac

  • That CB Yapper
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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2012, 06:15:01 AM »
Light?  I do my best work in the dark.
This is not 'Nam, this is wheeling.  There are rules.

Offline w squared

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2012, 06:46:44 AM »
Go big or go home.

I followed a rainbow out to a garage and found a leprichaun. The rainbow ended in a potted cactus on his porch, but there was no gold :(

Offline Joe Dirt

  • Winch Wench
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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2012, 07:19:01 AM »
Where would a guy find this light bar?
Joe Dirt!! That's right... You heard it... I am here.. AND I DONT DRIVE NO HEMI!!!

98 XJ - 5 1/2" lift - 33's - 10,000 lb winch - Eaton Front Diff Locker - Detroit Rear Diff Limited Slip - Rubicon springs - Dana 44 Axle/Diffs w/ Warn locks - Irock T ca

Offline morerpmfred

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Re: Too much light?
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2012, 08:38:47 AM »
I have a set of 6 inch round chrome 100 watt driving lights you can have. Like new. Timmy card donation accepted.