Emergency Lights
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Emergency Lights
I have a 2000 Ford Ranger. I am a volunteer fire fighter and in a few months I will be certified to operate lights and a siren on my truck. Does anybody have any experience installing these systems? Is it difficult? I used to work with somebody who is a diesel mechanic... he admits he has no experience with this equipment, but says he can "probably figure it out." Should I trust him, or should I pay the police supply company $75/hr to install it?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
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From: Texas
Emergency Lights
Well, it's not quite as simple as that!
First you have to know what you want to run, then you have to know where you want everything mounted. Then you have to know how much power what you are running will draw! (I burned, flamed broiled an illuminated 15 amp toggle switch by not knowing how much power my lightbar was pulling!) Now I am running 4 55 watt rotators, and two 50 watt halogen flashers, as well as the 27 watt takedowns & 27 watt flashers. Along with the Federal signal 100 watt siren, and a mobile radio that has an output strength of 50 watts.
If you need any help, I did all of my own wiring and my setups. You can see what I'm talking about below on my website.
First you have to know what you want to run, then you have to know where you want everything mounted. Then you have to know how much power what you are running will draw! (I burned, flamed broiled an illuminated 15 amp toggle switch by not knowing how much power my lightbar was pulling!) Now I am running 4 55 watt rotators, and two 50 watt halogen flashers, as well as the 27 watt takedowns & 27 watt flashers. Along with the Federal signal 100 watt siren, and a mobile radio that has an output strength of 50 watts.
If you need any help, I did all of my own wiring and my setups. You can see what I'm talking about below on my website.
New User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3
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Emergency Lights
just wnated to warn you. Be careful where and how you wire your equipment. My brother in law and myself just finished his 97 f-150. Apparently we used the wrong ground and it started backfeeding (according to the dealer) into the computer(s). This was ( and still is) causing the truck to stall when you let of the accelarator. We changed grounds and it is still doing it. I have done several installations (from personnel vehicles to our fire and police depts) and this is the first time this has happened. Another thing you rmight want to consider is putting all your equipment on relays and circuit breakers (available from galls or your local Napa). This will prevent you froom running down your battery if you forget to turn everything off when you get to where your going.
Good luck
Keeping NAPA in buisness
Good luck
Keeping NAPA in buisness
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Emergency Lights
I found a switched circuit in my fuse box to hook my main power lead into. Therefore, when I turn off the ignition everything else cuts off too.
On the ground problem, where exactly did you hook it into the first time? Have you also tried running it to the frame, or the negative battery cable?
Just a couple of thoughts.
1988 F-150, SWB, 5.0 EFI (formerly 4.9 EFI), M5OD 5 speed, 3.08 gears, Summit shorty truck headers, Custom built Flowmaster exhaust system. Force 4 LP6000 lightbar, Federal signal PA-300 100 watt siren, Icom IC-V100 50 watt mobile radio.
=======================================
1965 F-100 (just purchased 1/18/01), SWB, 390, C-6 auto. Dual exhaust, Not much else to do to it.
Can see both below.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
On the ground problem, where exactly did you hook it into the first time? Have you also tried running it to the frame, or the negative battery cable?
Just a couple of thoughts.
1988 F-150, SWB, 5.0 EFI (formerly 4.9 EFI), M5OD 5 speed, 3.08 gears, Summit shorty truck headers, Custom built Flowmaster exhaust system. Force 4 LP6000 lightbar, Federal signal PA-300 100 watt siren, Icom IC-V100 50 watt mobile radio.
=======================================
1965 F-100 (just purchased 1/18/01), SWB, 390, C-6 auto. Dual exhaust, Not much else to do to it.
Can see both below.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
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