LED Light Bars

It's not so much that the bar will draw more power with bigger wire, it's that more of the power it's drawing will go to lighting the LEDs and not be losses in the wire. It would be like going from losing 12% of the power within the wire, to only losing 4%. And that should put in the range that the light bar is designed to work with.

Honestly my roof bar draws 11.8a and I'm still running the harness that came with it. I think it's 18awg! But basses on the length and quality of wire, I figure it is losing .8v, that's still within the working limits of my bar. So I wouldn't benefit much from larger wire, but I'm about to redo my relays so I just might see an increase

 

@toendanger - try the bar just hooked up to the battery with no relay or anything and see if the output is better, use jus the wires coming out the the back and cutoff the harness and attach it later.

DO you have a link ot the bar?

 

Looks awesome.

 

Well my bro knows more about electrical systems. Had a hard time figuring it all out and we figured that I'm on the verge of not having enough output from alternator. Even the engine bogs down a little when turning them on at idle. So I'm gonna look into high output alternators. Get one with better idle amperage. Figure out what I need cuz I'm sure I'll be adding even more stuff down the road including a winch. May do the big 3 upgrade (which I just learned about) when the time comes. For now it'll be just an alternator.

 

For anyone who wanted to know..
I added up all my lights' amps and watts...

20" ( x12 10 watt led's)- 10amps/120 watts
42" (x26 10 watt led's- 21.6 amps/260 watts
(2) 8" (x4 10 watt led's each)- 3.33 amps = 6.66 amps/80 watts
(2) rigid Srq amber ( x4 3 watt led's each)= 2.9 amps/40 watts

=41.16 amps/500 watts
If I did my addition correctly. Ha.
And tested positive side from battery and came with estimated 71 amps total being drawn from the truck and all lights, radio and accessories at idle. Minus the 8" pair since those are out right now. And I think stock alternator is 80 amp. Didn't test that but that's a what a replacement said it would have... So I'm thinking it's just not putting out enough at idle. Should be ok with the next best alt with better idle output. Sigh, even more money to put into it. It's never-ending. Ha.

 

What brand (and layout) is the 40", 10 watt, 26 emitter bar?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/42INCH-260W...Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d280ef36&vxp=mtr

 

hmmm tempted so get this and sell my 42" double row. but I bet prices for 10w bars will fall over the next few months.

 

What wattage are the leds in your bar? 3 watts? Whats the lumens count on it? Cuz this one is nice, and pretty damn bright, but I mentioned in other posts that a double row is probly more efficient. Now, idk about the 3 watt ones, but If I was to swap mine out, I would be getting a 5 watt double row. More expensive, but probly worth it.
This is a pretty cheap bar. I got this exact one from same seller for $350. And I was considering getting another to double stack. So $700 is still cheaper than a 5 watt double row. I'm having some issues with my power consuption for the truck so after I do the big 3 upgrade and h/o alternator I'll hopefully see an increase in output.

 

Quick questions guys. Would a 31.5" led bar fit in the lower valence of our trucks. I know 30 fits but I don't know how much room is left over after mounting feet and everything else. I would think everything would be a snug fit. Im thinking of this bar ( http://lifetimeledlights.3dcartstores.com/315-60-LED-bar-_p_11.html) if anyone has any input on this bar or would recommend a better one.

 

I have a 30" in the lower valence and its a very tight fit. I can still get to the mounting brackets with an open ended box wrench which is nice. A 31.5" would fit but there would be zero room unless you cut out even more of the plastic. I only had to cut the uprights to fit the 30" but not the sides.

 

3. 240 total "24k lumens" which i don't buy at all. Have any more output shots/ It definitely looks brighter, but that also could be because of the tighter spot pattern

 

Hmm.. No I still gotta go out and get some good shots with my digital. Keep in mind I also have a 20" of the same in the valance, and the projectors on. I'll have to take separate shots of each and see. Kind of a pain as I have them all wired in series to my high beams, but can just quick disconnect them.

 

yeah, would be appreciated. I have my KC dicth lights and 40 wired to the same relay, bumper bar is gonna get an amber cover and a solo switch in addition to a master switch

 

Nice, wish I'd found that one earlier.

 

I've got a 20" and two 8" on the ends. Prolly depends on the mounting system used by the manufacturer.

 

Nice. Yeah i wouldnt mind having a master switch for them all. Or maybe just the bumper one to turn on when i wanna use it for a while without the truck running. Cuz with all of them now, it would drain my battery real quick. ha.
Oh and i've been wanting to say this since I saw it.. I fucking love your avatar man

 

What bar do you have and would you recommend it? I am looking for a combo bar. I am going to guess thats what you have.

 

hahaha thanks, i thought it was perfect for people like us...

But yeah, the HIDs are 55w, so 110w from those + 240w from the bar = 25-30 w at 14-12v. Then the bumper bar I have (will go on in June when my bumper comes ) is 90w, I'll probably get a relay block and put everything on its own relays and switches with one master to trigger all the relays. I just dont wanna clean up my wiring..

 

Man I want this one. Single row 10w and curved.
http://nbbrightshine.en.alibaba.com/product/1634560527-220975301/50_inch_240w_curved_cree_radius_led_light_bar_combo_beam_for_off_road_4x4_10w_cree_chip.html