Emergency lighting

[RTLINGR2]

Having a hard time attaching videos. I will try to send pics later with light on.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Having a hard time attaching videos. I will try to send pics later with light on.

You can download to youtube then post the link here.
Or copy the yt link and paste it in the film icon

Here.

 

[outlaw]

Rigid sells a flasher module for their lights, its a simple easy set up . The one I have , has 6 outputs

 

[RTLINGR2]

You can download to youtube then post the link here.
Or copy the yt link and paste it in the film icon View attachment 253998
Here.

Thank you for the info. I will try that later.

 

[nglauer]

Rigid sells a flasher module for their lights, its a simple easy set up . The one I have , has 6 outputs

I'll have to check that out. Thank you!

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[nglauer]

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I do have white strobes - 2 total (4" light bars) in the back window of my truck. My back glass is extremely dark so it's not the brightest in the day. I do not run these at night. I don't plan on running them moving forward.

I'm leaning toward adding some to my grill and maybe some type of license plate mount for the rear of the Tahoe. I may consider a rear window mounted bar as well.

Thanks again!
Nick

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[GranPrix]

I also agree with GranPrix with using quality equipment. I also have been upfitting vehicles for many years. We use a lot of Whelen too, but Sound Off Signal, Code 3, Star, and. Brookings have many options that are more economical. We use those three on Public Works vehicles with white and amber. I like Code 3 #HB4PAKMC-AW ( amber/ white) for grille lights. They are super bright, multiple flash patterns. They come 2 to box, alternate from amber to white in same bulb. I buy grommet mounts, but you can get them as a bracket mount as well. I also use these in my unmarked police cars as red and blue. Spray a little VHT on them and they blend in like a back up sensor. I will try to put some pics up. Star makes some nice mini inside windshield lightbars with multiple functions. The Star light bars we use are model# ULB-28 for front snd ULB-38 for rears. You can get Tahoe specific brackets for these. We also use Brookings 6 head warning sticks with a traffic advisory function for rear of service trucks and or in the rear inside window.

Here in Central Florida most agencies use Dana Safety Supply (DSS). Lights and More does not have a good reputation here.

Pics and videos are on our 2019 F550 shop service truck. The fronts are the Code 3's, rear is Brookings, the side runners are Sound Off Signal (nLines), and the roof bar is also a Sound Off Signal (nRoads).

View attachment 253989 View attachment 253990 View attachment 253991 View attachment 253992 View attachment 253993

I have a MAJOR pet peeve with using HAWs as surface mounts. They are not engineered/designed to be used as such. They are designed to be used inside of OEM housings due to the fact they do not have any optics and are designed to use the optics of the OEM housing as a reflector. You might as well dump $110-160 down the toilet.

 

[GranPrix]

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I do have white strobes - 2 total (4" light bars) in the back window of my truck. My back glass is extremely dark so it's not the brightest in the day. I do not run these at night. I don't plan on running them moving forward.

I'm leaning toward adding some to my grill and maybe some type of license plate mount for the rear of the Tahoe. I may consider a rear window mounted bar as well.

Thanks again!
Nick

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Remember there is a difference between strobes and LEDs, two completely different systems.

 

[nglauer]

Remember there is a difference between strobes and LEDs, two completely different systems.

I guess what I have is LED then based off the type of light my window mounted light bars use?

Sorry, this stuff is completely foreign to me.

Again, I don't need much, just something better than factory 4 way flashers. I just want something to help me be noticed when rolling through an active construction site. It is also helpful at making landowners aware that my unmarked non fleet vehicle (99% of our contractors are in white trucks with company logos on them) that I'm not some random person joy riding on the access roads across their property. This is something that happens often.. between ATV's, SXS's, and the occasionally back roaders. These photos kinda show what I'm around on a semi daily basis. I'm usually well off the beaten path and don't have to many other people to deal with compared to some construction projects. My red truck has the lights in the windshield front/rear... but now that I'm in an all black tahoe with black wheels and black windows... Lord only knows what some landowners will think when I pull up onto their property.

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[RTLINGR2]

I have a MAJOR pet peeve with using HAWs as surface mounts. They are not engineered/designed to be used as such. They are designed to be used inside of OEM housings due to the fact they do not have any optics and are designed to use the optics of the OEM housing as a reflector. You might as well dump $110-160 down the toilet.

I like the attatchment. Sorry I missed something. I agree there are lights for hide a ways and lights that are not. If it is the the pic of the code 3 lights in the grille that are in question, I don't believe they are supposed to be used as hide a ways. They are to big. Yes only a 1" hole for install but the housing is too long for hide a way use. There are made for surface mounts. You can even get brackets to install them so not a surface mount The optics on these are pretty good. They have multiple patterns depending on usage, class 1, class 2 and and so forth. Depending on which pattern you use is to the brightness.

I have some short videos of the lights on but was having problems getting them on here. I was told I have to load to you tube to do this. Please let me know if there an easier way? Kind of seems like a bunch of extra steps to create a you tube account, to upload to that account just to reload to the forum. Maybe its a security thing on here to keep people from posting random stuff that's not appropriate, I don't know.

 

[RTLINGR2]

Here are some pics with lights on. Still trying to get some of the grille. These are Sound off Signal (nLines)

 

[RTLINGR2]

This is a Brookings with traffic advisor.

 

[RTLINGR2]

Sound Off Signal (nRoads) roof light bar. Amber and white, with traffic advisor, cruise lights (corners on only on dim), alley's (side whites) , take downs (front 2 white) and scene light which turns whole bar white. In the pic of the scene light there are not lights imperative, they drop out on the phone. (Weird). Kinda like looking at message board with phone camera, the message is constantly on and off, but its stationary looking at with your eyes.

 

[RTLINGR2]

More of the roof light bar, the ones in the grille are the Code 3's . 4 lamps in the grille, each lamp alternates between amber and white. Hard to get pic of those.

We use a Sound off Signal 6 head mini bar on the push bumpers of our PD Explorers and Tahoes. We also use them in umarked PD Explorers behind the grille. Model is an (nPower) 6 head, tri color with scene light. They flash red and blue then when scene light or take down function is activated the whole bar turns white. I am sure you can get them in white and amber as well. This light is very versatile. I will take pics of one of the red blue ones on Monday.

 

[GranPrix]

I guess what I have is LED then based off the type of light my window mounted light bars use?

Sorry, this stuff is completely foreign to me.

Again, I don't need much, just something better than factory 4 way flashers. I just want something to help me be noticed when rolling through an active construction site. It is also helpful at making landowners aware that my unmarked non fleet vehicle (99% of our contractors are in white trucks with company logos on them) that I'm not some random person joy riding on the access roads across their property. This is something that happens often.. between ATV's, SXS's, and the occasionally back roaders. These photos kinda show what I'm around on a semi daily basis. I'm usually well off the beaten path and don't have to many other people to deal with compared to some construction projects. My red truck has the lights in the windshield front/rear... but now that I'm in an all black tahoe with black wheels and black windows... Lord only knows what some landowners will think when I pull up onto their property.

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To be honest with you, what you need is an overhead lightbar. Usually interior lighting is somewhat directional and the fact that its interior you'll only see the lights from certain angles. Also tinted windows will kill your light output especially if they're linear lightheads vs TIR type lightheads.

 

[GranPrix]

I feel companies will sell all types of accessories for HAWs so it can open up the market for more sales. To me, just because they offer a surface mount option doesn't mean it should be used as such. The design/optics just aren't there for it. A Whelen Micron would still be brighter than your brightest HAW, even a Cannon. Even an old 15 yo TIR on it's last leg would still brighter and have a bigger footprint!

 

[nglauer]

I probably better skip adding a light bar up top. I had to meet with a landowner tonight regarding the need for possible access through his property into some national forest land. He thought I was with the federal government. Guess I should have bought a different color Tahoe lol.

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[Rdr854]

Hey Nick! I've been installing and using emergency lighting for over 15 years now. Do not, and I repeat DO NOT go with Amazon, STL/Feniex, Extreme Tactical Dynamics, Hg2, WarningWorx or Led outfitters. They are very cheaply made and will not last. You get what you pay for...

If you hate your BCM get a Speed Turtle but it will eventually fry your BCM.

Whelen, SoundOff, Code3 and Federal Signal are your go to brands. Personally for me in that order.

If you want to keep your truck looking stock, go for something simple such as LED HAWs (hideaways) to add to your taillights and an interior bar to the rear glass, same for the front. For the front you can even do something as simple as a couple of grill lights and be done with it. I suggest Cannons for the LED HAWs. Brightest in the market with 12 LED diodes total as opposed to the average 6 diodes.

If you plan on adding a rack then go with your best option which is a 48" Whelen Liberty 1 or Justice or Cenator lightbar for a full 360 degrees of warning. For a $400 range you should check eBay, there's plenty. Code3 and FedSig also have some good bars

$400 will not get you far for new LEDs. The only way to stay around $400 is if you go on ebay and get used Whelen which I've done myself and till this day I still have them running as new.

The ONLY Feniex product I would buy and I actually have in my Hoe are the Cannons. They replaced my reverse lights and they are also set to flash so they have dual functions. In your case you can get the amber/white colors. White for your reverse and amber for warning.

For a controller you could do a switch box:
https://www.strobesnmore.com/StrobesNMoreSwitch6

The Typhoon is limiting you to only 6 outputs @ 3.5amps each. And you're paying for features you won't need such as 21 siren tones.

Since you will most probably be stationary on roadways and you aren't running lights and sirens I suggest a slow alternating pattern alerting drivers and others of your stationary presence and it suggests to slow down.

Traditional headlight WigWags are for running lights and sirens in order to clear traffic out of your way, no need for this.

Again $400 will not outfit your truck they way you want it to. So you might want to save up a bit more and have it done properly with quality products. I've seen it a thousand times where guys spend about the same but want more and they end up with the chinese knock-off crap and eventually end up paying more in the long run replacing with brands such as the ones I mentioned.

If you're on Facebook you should check out a couple of pages with TONS of info for what you need and want. Also members on there are always selling tons of equipment.

Emergency Lights and Siren Enthusiasts
Custom Whelen builds
The Whelen command group
Emergency vehicle upfitting technology and information
Emergency vehicle upfitters showcase
Sirens/other emergency equipment
JB's Emergency lighting
Upfitter marketplace

Oh and btw, please for the love of god, don't flash white to the rear! It's blinding to drivers coming up behind you and next thing you know they rear-end the crap out of you. Trust me I've seen it. I'd be more than happy to help if you need any more info.

Here are my setups:

View attachment 253895 View attachment 253896 View attachment 253897 View attachment 253898

What he said!!! And to add one thing, make sure that your installation complies with state law. There are restrictions on light placement, colors, number of lights, etc. that vary from state to state.

 

[nglauer]

I won't lie, I ended up buying one of the Feniex Typhoon controllers used from a kid that was a volunteer firefighter and had lost his full-time truck driving job. I realize you guys advised against it. However he made me an excellent deal on the controller and a Kenwood radio. I considered buying the lights he had, but wasn't sure if I could change out the red leds. He claims that everything was less than 4 months old. Both came with the mounts, but not the homemade box. The Kenwood radio also came with a Kenwood speaker. I did not get a siren, but I also do not have a use for one (although I did see a few videos where you can play the Jurassic Park theme song, bad boys, Knight Rider theme, or the Ghostbusters ecto-1 siren so I may need one now lol). It's not exactly what I wanted, but for the price I won't complain. I believe I have decided to go with a Westin elite XD push bar so I can add one of the max winch trays. I will probably either add lights in the top channel cross bar or add some type of light bar. I would love to find an actual light bar that can be used as an off-road light but have the option for emergency lighting. I just don't want to spend a fortune. As for rear lighting, I considered doing some type of license plate mounted light. I currently have my El cheapo rocky pro strobe bars in the front and rear windows. The two 4-in white lights are barely noticeable through the tinted back glass. The two 8-in white bars are fairly noticeable through the front windshield. They may not be ideal, but they should work temporarily until I find some actual quality lights.

Thanks!

 

[GeroniMoe]

Here are my setups:

View attachment 253898

For the vehicle in the bottom/right photo (Tahoe with blues in the rear) - what did you use behind the hatch glass, both for lighting units and, more importantly, for mounts! Thanks!
- Scott