Emergency lighting?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
First to start off so not to ruffle feathers this is not to replay as a *** just stating you can buy quality without a associate high cost.
So I understand the argument of professional gear and lighting if you are a fireman or policeman. But my cubes have been on two of my trucks as some of the strip lighting and the cubes have lasted 6 yrs and some of the strips for 4 yrs at a fraction of the cost, my 30" bar is a couple months new as the wheel well lights but seem to be quality lights seal properly. You don't have to buy name brand to have quality, I'm not one to buy cheap stuff for the fun of it and do alot of research before buying. Yes there is better but also at higher cost.
As a note the cops love it, but I'm not running red or blue or strobing driving down the roads trying to pretended like I'm one of them, that will get you a big smack down here.
So as I agree if you are a professional fireman or police officer buy what you can or provided.
So I understand the argument of professional gear and lighting if you are a fireman or policeman. But my cubes have been on two of my trucks as some of the strip lighting and the cubes have lasted 6 yrs and some of the strips for 4 yrs at a fraction of the cost, my 30" bar is a couple months new as the wheel well lights but seem to be quality lights seal properly. You don't have to buy name brand to have quality, I'm not one to buy cheap stuff for the fun of it and do alot of research before buying. Yes there is better but also at higher cost.
As a note the cops love it, but I'm not running red or blue or strobing driving down the roads trying to pretended like I'm one of them, that will get you a big smack down here.
So as I agree if you are a professional fireman or police officer buy what you can or provided.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,422
Likes: 5,507
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
we are not trying to start anything either. just stating what may work at night may not work during the day.
i had some cheaper mini bars and strobes on the 02 and 04 trucks when i first got them. the lights were great at night.
but you could not see then during the day from 500 ft away.
and let me tell you, 500 ft is 1/2 second at 60mph.
at night i usually only use an arrow board set on flash when snow plowing, that gives plenty of warning light. but during the daytime all bets are off and every light is on if i am stopped or doing an escort move.
people these days are so absorbed in themselves they do not even see the 14 foot tall 16 foot wide bright yellow bulldozer on the fire engine red tractor/trailer, let alone the 3 escort trucks blocking the road behind it until they are 50 foot away from it doing 50 mph faster than the road block in front of them.
i had some cheaper mini bars and strobes on the 02 and 04 trucks when i first got them. the lights were great at night.
but you could not see then during the day from 500 ft away.
and let me tell you, 500 ft is 1/2 second at 60mph.
at night i usually only use an arrow board set on flash when snow plowing, that gives plenty of warning light. but during the daytime all bets are off and every light is on if i am stopped or doing an escort move.
people these days are so absorbed in themselves they do not even see the 14 foot tall 16 foot wide bright yellow bulldozer on the fire engine red tractor/trailer, let alone the 3 escort trucks blocking the road behind it until they are 50 foot away from it doing 50 mph faster than the road block in front of them.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I'm with you and didn't take that anyone is making statements about me or my build. I agree I've seen some out running during the day which some of them shouldn't but they are not as bright even strobing. I'm just stating more money or name brands don't always equal quality.
I'm a true believer in doing research for several days and trying them out before making recommendations as I hope all would do. I don't want any to asume I'm a professional in wireing, automotive care or even a first responder, but do enjoy moding my vehicles for personal security, safety and show.
I'm a true believer in doing research for several days and trying them out before making recommendations as I hope all would do. I don't want any to asume I'm a professional in wireing, automotive care or even a first responder, but do enjoy moding my vehicles for personal security, safety and show.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 217
Likes: 3
From: MA
I have a older Whelen Edge 9000 off a police car. I installed clear lenses on it, and it has alley lights, take down, wigwags, and selectable strobe for just the front, just the rear, or 360 strobe. It also has a low power function for night time use. I installed it backwards so the take down lights (steady burn) face backwards, and I use them at night for reversing.
I also have Whelen hideaways in the headlights, and in the reverse lights. The truck is brighter than anything else I've encountered while plowing, even brighter than the LED bars I've been around. I've actually had the guys in the bigger dump trucks complain that I'm practically blinding them at night lol.
I also have Whelen hideaways in the headlights, and in the reverse lights. The truck is brighter than anything else I've encountered while plowing, even brighter than the LED bars I've been around. I've actually had the guys in the bigger dump trucks complain that I'm practically blinding them at night lol.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
when did PSE/Code 3 go under Steve?
all my bars are older and bought used except for the Code 3's. i bought them back in the late 80's
i have heard good things about the sound off and star strobe boxes, but never tried them.
i used to get the whelen boxes out of the decommissioned police cars, and still have 3 in stock on the shelf. getting the boxes and tubes for free and only having to pay for the cables saves a lot of money.
all my bars are older and bought used except for the Code 3's. i bought them back in the late 80's
i have heard good things about the sound off and star strobe boxes, but never tried them.
i used to get the whelen boxes out of the decommissioned police cars, and still have 3 in stock on the shelf. getting the boxes and tubes for free and only having to pay for the cables saves a lot of money.
I'm with you and didn't take that anyone is making statements about me or my build. I agree I've seen some out running during the day which some of them shouldn't but they are not as bright even strobing. I'm just stating more money or name brands don't always equal quality.
I'm a true believer in doing research for several days and trying them out before making recommendations as I hope all would do. I don't want any to assume I'm a professional in wiring, automotive care or even a first responder, but do enjoy modding my vehicles for personal security, safety and show.
I'm a true believer in doing research for several days and trying them out before making recommendations as I hope all would do. I don't want any to assume I'm a professional in wiring, automotive care or even a first responder, but do enjoy modding my vehicles for personal security, safety and show.
What part of South Cakalacky do you call home?
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
It's rare to find an application where strobes in the headlights work well. My hideaways are going in the clear light beside the headlights, real strobes and not LED strobes.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Sumter SC. I've only used my lights a couple of times in emergency situations helping people stranded on the sides of the road or during our floods or ice storms which are a rarity. It's amazing how some drive like it's a Nascar race or think a 4x4 can drive on water and ice. Being from Ohio State originally and driving in conditions as Alaska and Iceland in heavy military equipment you learn your limits quickly.
Blazer light are what I use the most, can be bought at Autozone.
About Us | Blazer-International
Blazer International is built on a strong reputation of quality. With 50 years of experience behind us we are an industry leader in the heavy duty truck, trailer, marine and RV markets. From product design to final shipment, we practice the highest industry standards. We consistently meet SAE/DOT standards on all of our products.
Traveller 30 Single CREE 150W LED Light Bar - For Life Out Here
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Hope this helps
Blazer light are what I use the most, can be bought at Autozone.
About Us | Blazer-International
Blazer International is built on a strong reputation of quality. With 50 years of experience behind us we are an industry leader in the heavy duty truck, trailer, marine and RV markets. From product design to final shipment, we practice the highest industry standards. We consistently meet SAE/DOT standards on all of our products.
Traveller 30 Single CREE 150W LED Light Bar - For Life Out Here
TSC Exclusive
Hope this helps
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 217
Likes: 3
From: MA
Yeah, I mostly use the light bar now, but the strobes in the headlights are plenty bright.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Shafer, MN
I am thinking of hitting ebay to try and find an older whelen light bar. reality set in that I cannot afford fancy led bars inside the truck. Basically want to make it visible for emergency road stops ( Like if im helping change a tire, jump a car, etc. )
Have to work on the paint which ill do in the spring. But im starting to form ideas now.
Have to work on the paint which ill do in the spring. But im starting to form ideas now.
New User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I'm doing a similar thing to my 93 f150. However I'm doing a mix of hideaway and visible. I recommend spending that little extra and getting some of the more professional level lights. Their seals and gaskets are much better and they are hella bright even when not looking directly on them. In the spring I should have my setup completed but I'll start a thread and update it with photos and you can see what I'm doing.
I have cheap Chinese grille lights (yes I know I said spend more but these are not my only lights), a Whelen Slim Miser A/A dash light [front facing], off brand visor lights[front], an Amazon Special Mini light bar [360] (does the job for now, I have a Federal Highlighter to replace it), an off brand traffic advisor [rear], then A/A surface mount flashers [rear], and A/W [sides]. Big key is research the products and see if people have reviewed them and posted videos. Day light video especially. Anything will seem bright if it's dark enough.
I have cheap Chinese grille lights (yes I know I said spend more but these are not my only lights), a Whelen Slim Miser A/A dash light [front facing], off brand visor lights[front], an Amazon Special Mini light bar [360] (does the job for now, I have a Federal Highlighter to replace it), an off brand traffic advisor [rear], then A/A surface mount flashers [rear], and A/W [sides]. Big key is research the products and see if people have reviewed them and posted videos. Day light video especially. Anything will seem bright if it's dark enough.
New User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I'm doing a similar thing to my 93 f150. However I'm doing a mix of hideaway and visible. I recommend spending that little extra and getting some of the more professional level lights. Their seals and gaskets are much better and they are hella bright even when not looking directly on them. In the spring I should have my setup completed but I'll start a thread and update it with photos and you can see what I'm doing.
I have cheap Chinese grille lights (yes I know I said spend more but these are not my only lights), a Whelen Slim Miser A/A dash light [front facing], off brand visor lights[front], an Amazon Special Mini light bar [360] (does the job for now, I have a Federal Highlighter to replace it), an off brand traffic advisor [rear], then A/A surface mount flashers [rear], and A/W [sides]. Big key is research the products and see if people have reviewed them and posted videos. Day light video especially. Anything will seem bright if it's dark enough.
I have cheap Chinese grille lights (yes I know I said spend more but these are not my only lights), a Whelen Slim Miser A/A dash light [front facing], off brand visor lights[front], an Amazon Special Mini light bar [360] (does the job for now, I have a Federal Highlighter to replace it), an off brand traffic advisor [rear], then A/A surface mount flashers [rear], and A/W [sides]. Big key is research the products and see if people have reviewed them and posted videos. Day light video especially. Anything will seem bright if it's dark enough.
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