Light Selection Help

[mstrpoz]

I'm going to be installing a bumper hoop on my sport bumper like the picture below, I was curious what light recommendations there are. What I was thinking I'd like is for them to turn on automatically like the headlights, is this realistic? I'd love for them to improve visibility during normal daily (nightly) driving. My Sport has the halogens, so you know where I am starting-ill upgrade these down the road, but since I have the hoop, I'll start with adding these lights.

I like the look of the amber lights, any suggestion on what kind and what pattern to consider?

Also, what is the best recommendation for wiring, I do not have AUX switches, or any plans to add other accessories that would need a switch?

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[DCPHOENIX]

Look up the legality of using OFF ROAD USE ONLY lights on the road lol

 

[mstrpoz]

Look up the legality of using OFF ROAD USE ONLY lights on the road lol

I guess that is where I am going, I've never added supplemental lighting and am not sure of the legalities. Are there light options that could be considered "road legal"?

 

[DCPHOENIX]

I’ve got a voswitch JL400 coming. Very clean looking solution to adding switches. no drilling etc.

As far as improving your visibility at night? Switching out the headlight bulbs for oem led, looking up complete replacement units (oracle for instance). Or you can stay halogen and buy better quality bulbs.

When you’re on the trail - diode dynamics make some great light options.

State laws vary when it comes to lighting. Driving with spots on, on normal roads, there’s a reason you never see it

 

[mstrpoz]

It seems we've settled on a quick answer-these can not be used for normal driving.

I have intentions for upgrading the stock lighting and will address that soon.

I do like the voswitch, so I appreciate the suggestion.

Do any little light pods exist that could be used like the prerunner lights you see in the grills that could mount to the bar ?

How about the @Diode Dynamics lights that have the amber backlight, are the backlights legal to be on during normal driving?

Could I mount 3 of these and allow the backlight to be on at all times/with lights with a switch to turn on the actual beam? I like the idea of the backlight for show. https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage-series-c1-yellow-sport-standard-led-pod-pair.html

 

[mstrpoz]

It seems we've settled on a quick answer-these can not be used for normal driving.

I have intentions for upgrading the stock lighting and will address that soon.

I do like the voswitch, so I appreciate the suggestion.

Do any little light pods exist that could be used like the prerunner lights you see in the grills that could mount to the bar ?

How about the @Diode Dynamics lights that have the amber backlight, are the backlights legal to be on during normal driving?

Could I mount 3 of these and allow the backlight to be on at all times/with lights with a switch to turn on the actual beam? I like the idea of the backlight for show. https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage-series-c1-yellow-sport-standard-led-pod-pair.html

@Diode Dynamics any input on this?

 

[ATL_Rubi]

@Diode Dynamics any input on this?

To piggy back off of the DD back lgihts and legality, it will depend on your home state. I Know certain states limit the amount of forward facing light "units" that can be on at any one time. As there is three spots for lights on this hoop, I would personally go for two flood /driving beam pattern for the outside (either in full amber, or with amber covers), and one spot for the middle. But as for actually using the backlights and just making the functionality of it work, sure, you can tap into your fender marker lights (if you have DRL's) or you can likely find a 12v that is Ignition run in the fuse panel to tap in to.

 

[mstrpoz]

To piggy back off of the DD back lgihts and legality, it will depend on your home state. I Know certain states limit the amount of forward facing light "units" that can be on at any one time. As there is three spots for lights on this hoop, I would personally go for two flood /driving beam pattern for the outside (either in full amber, or with amber covers), and one spot for the middle. But as for actually using the backlights and just making the functionality of it work, sure, you can tap into your fender marker lights (if you have DRL's) or you can likely find a 12v that is Ignition run in the fuse panel to tap in to.

Thanks, for the input. As far as the light selection your layout is exactly what I was considering.

Now to figure out if running the backlight is allowed. This has proven harder than expected.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

Thanks, for the input. As far as the light selection your layout is exactly what I was considering.

Now to figure out if running the backlight is allowed. This has proven harder than expected.

You'll likely want to take a look at Virginia penal code:

§ 46.2-1012. Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles or autocycles.

 

[madduck]

I'm not quite sure what your intent is. To mount anything that is street legal, output wise, on a hoop would be for looks only and not do anything for function, possible. However, as someone else mentioned, laws regarding how many lights you can have on at any given time can vary. What you also need to take into consideration is the output power of the light. Depending on what you want to accomplish will dictate what the pattern is, but, when using it on the road, among other vehicles consider both legality and whether youre blinding oncoming traffic. Since you mentioned amber lights did you want to replace your current fogs or add amber? Again, as a fog or a long range illumination? Just asking to try and help out.

I love messing with lights, but i want function first. I am a huge fan of Baja Designs' lights. They are not cheap but, IMO, they are worth it. I believe when you buy nice you cry once. Here is a link to their page which explains lighting zones and how they apply. If i remember correct, I think 55w output is pretty much standard for road legal output. I have not looked at legal limits in quite a while, I havent needed anything so my numbers could be off.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/help/lighting-zones/

I have these as my fogs/driving lights in amber. I am a big fan of amber lighting. The LP6's i have on my Jeep are also amber.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/squadron-sae/
I have the fogs in the bumper wired via the stock switch/button that turned the factory lights on. You can keep it clean on the inside for new fogs, use your original switch.

Now, if/when you start adding other lighting is when it'd be a good idea to come up with an endgame plan. I have the aux switches so a lot of the wiring was set up for my build. The big LP6's I have on one of the aux switches. I love led's, the draw vs output ratio is so much better than old school lights. The lights on my cowling are BD Squanron Pro, not the SAE model. I have each light connected to their own switch. I think the AUX switches have 2 that are 40A and 2 @ 15A. (Going off the top of my head so not sure if that's correct, kinda moot, but I dont want someone to take this as 100% correct.) The LP6's I can run off one switch. Since the ditch lights are oppose facing i wanted independent switches. Personal preference.

 

[mstrpoz]

I'm not quite sure what your intent is. To mount anything that is street legal, output wise, on a hoop would be for looks only and not do anything for function, possible. However, as someone else mentioned, laws regarding how many lights you can have on at any given time can vary. What you also need to take into consideration is the output power of the light. Depending on what you want to accomplish will dictate what the pattern is, but, when using it on the road, among other vehicles consider both legality and whether youre blinding oncoming traffic. Since you mentioned amber lights did you want to replace your current fogs or add amber? Again, as a fog or a long range illumination? Just asking to try and help out.

I love messing with lights, but i want function first. I am a huge fan of Baja Designs' lights. They are not cheap but, IMO, they are worth it. I believe when you buy nice you cry once. Here is a link to their page which explains lighting zones and how they apply. If i remember correct, I think 55w output is pretty much standard for road legal output. I have not looked at legal limits in quite a while, I havent needed anything so my numbers could be off.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/help/lighting-zones/

I have these as my fogs/driving lights in amber. I am a big fan of amber lighting. The LP6's i have on my Jeep are also amber.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/squadron-sae/
I have the fogs in the bumper wired via the stock switch/button that turned the factory lights on. You can keep it clean on the inside for new fogs, use your original switch.

Now, if/when you start adding other lighting is when it'd be a good idea to come up with an endgame plan. I have the aux switches so a lot of the wiring was set up for my build. The big LP6's I have on one of the aux switches. I love led's, the draw vs output ratio is so much better than old school lights. The lights on my cowling are BD Squanron Pro, not the SAE model. I have each light connected to their own switch. I think the AUX switches have 2 that are 40A and 2 @ 15A. (Going off the top of my head so not sure if that's correct, kinda moot, but I dont want someone to take this as 100% correct.) The LP6's I can run off one switch. Since the ditch lights are oppose facing i wanted independent switches. Personal preference.

Appreciate the input. Basically where I am at is I'd love to add lights to the hoop. I like the diode dynamics with the backlight, but unsure if the backlights can run during street driving for looks only.

 

[madduck]

Running backlighting, IMO, you'd be fine. BUT BUT BUT...i dont know the laws in your state. I could run a DRL on the LP6's i have and i wouldn't think twice and i dont know the law regarding forward lighting in my state. In my top pic, if you look below the BD logo on the cover you can see some amber. I could run a line from the lights to a keyed line and those little lights would come on. I may do it eventually, I was rushing to get them on for a trip when i did the original install.

I asked 2 cop buddies of mine about backlighting and is it something they worry about...both said no. These are 2 guys in the midwest.

If youre doing something bad it may give then a reason to pull you over. So don't commit any crimes in the JT.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I would look at the background lights as additional DRL lights. They are not likely to be an issue, unless you add a lot of them. Any bright lights, beyond the factory installed headlights and fog lights, will be a problem on any public roadway. How much of a problem will depend entirely on where you are driving.

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