Chillin4life187
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 81
Before I begin, let me give you some insight as to why I started this project.
The past month here in Arizona has just been brutal hot. Consistantly over 112 degrees with highs sometimes reaching 118+. This left me playing around in the dirt mostly after 9 when it started cooling off and when it was already dark outside. After buying and trying several RC LED light bars and light pods that many retailers sell, I realized that lighting is STILL trully inadequate for serious bashing. Sure, the pods/light bar look cool but for serious fun, they are worthless. Stricktly for looks if you ask me. With the lights on I was able to see (and light up) approx 12-20 inches of space near the front of my Baja. At speed, thats not nearly enough distance to see what lies ahead on the trail or out in the dirt. So bored one day, I decided to make my own lighting system.
This is what I ended up with.....
A 6 inch LED spotlight bar on top of my Baja that puts out 950 lumens. Yes, almost a 1000 lumens of power. Thats some serious lighting. To give you an idea, my baja now lights up approx 2-3 parking spots outside in the lot. Best part is, I can get 60-90 minutes of power out of a single 9 Volt battery. The only drawback is, the weight. Total weight for lightbar, wiring and 9V battery came to 14.8 oz according to my postal scale.(only scale I had around the house) On the plus side is, the setup is extremely durable. Feels like a block of steel in your hands when you pick it up. Drops and impacts from bashing, and nothing so far has damaged the light system. Only some minor scratches that can be touched up on with paint/marker, or whatever you choose.
Here is what you need.
1- 6 inch LED Mini spotlight Bar
1- Energizer 9V battery
1- spool of RED 12-18 gauge automotive wiring.
1- spool of BLACK 12-18 gauge automotive wiring.
1- Heavy duty switch
1- WIrecutters/wirestrippers
1- electrical tape or soldering iron and plastic heat shrink.
Everything can be found at walmart in the automotive or tool section. Cost between $25-30 depending on exact items used.
Pros- almost a 1000 lumens of light.
- durable and can handle any abuse
- cheap to build and assemble at $30
- runs for 60-90 min using only a single 9V battery.
-lightbar rated for 12V to 24V so you have the option to use other batteries. (Think what a 2S Lipo battery would do.)
Cons- at 14.8 oz the lightbar with battery is on the heavy side.
-some may say its bulky or too big for Baja.
Overall, I am pleased with how this turned out. Sure the added weight sucks, but I think everything I gain, makes up for that. Hope this will help others or if nothing else. Inspire others to, build their own lighting system and show it off..
Thanks for reading.
**I will post pics of it on my buggy and with lights on, soon. Waiting to get outside when its not storming and take a couple pics.***
The past month here in Arizona has just been brutal hot. Consistantly over 112 degrees with highs sometimes reaching 118+. This left me playing around in the dirt mostly after 9 when it started cooling off and when it was already dark outside. After buying and trying several RC LED light bars and light pods that many retailers sell, I realized that lighting is STILL trully inadequate for serious bashing. Sure, the pods/light bar look cool but for serious fun, they are worthless. Stricktly for looks if you ask me. With the lights on I was able to see (and light up) approx 12-20 inches of space near the front of my Baja. At speed, thats not nearly enough distance to see what lies ahead on the trail or out in the dirt. So bored one day, I decided to make my own lighting system.
This is what I ended up with.....
A 6 inch LED spotlight bar on top of my Baja that puts out 950 lumens. Yes, almost a 1000 lumens of power. Thats some serious lighting. To give you an idea, my baja now lights up approx 2-3 parking spots outside in the lot. Best part is, I can get 60-90 minutes of power out of a single 9 Volt battery. The only drawback is, the weight. Total weight for lightbar, wiring and 9V battery came to 14.8 oz according to my postal scale.(only scale I had around the house) On the plus side is, the setup is extremely durable. Feels like a block of steel in your hands when you pick it up. Drops and impacts from bashing, and nothing so far has damaged the light system. Only some minor scratches that can be touched up on with paint/marker, or whatever you choose.
Here is what you need.
1- 6 inch LED Mini spotlight Bar
1- Energizer 9V battery
1- spool of RED 12-18 gauge automotive wiring.
1- spool of BLACK 12-18 gauge automotive wiring.
1- Heavy duty switch
1- WIrecutters/wirestrippers
1- electrical tape or soldering iron and plastic heat shrink.
Everything can be found at walmart in the automotive or tool section. Cost between $25-30 depending on exact items used.
Pros- almost a 1000 lumens of light.
- durable and can handle any abuse
- cheap to build and assemble at $30
- runs for 60-90 min using only a single 9V battery.
-lightbar rated for 12V to 24V so you have the option to use other batteries. (Think what a 2S Lipo battery would do.)
Cons- at 14.8 oz the lightbar with battery is on the heavy side.
-some may say its bulky or too big for Baja.
Overall, I am pleased with how this turned out. Sure the added weight sucks, but I think everything I gain, makes up for that. Hope this will help others or if nothing else. Inspire others to, build their own lighting system and show it off..
Thanks for reading.
**I will post pics of it on my buggy and with lights on, soon. Waiting to get outside when its not storming and take a couple pics.***
