19 replies to this topic

[White Knight]

Ok, I don't know about you guys but following years of Commodores and new cars I find that I don't drive the RVR at night because of the poor lighting (semi rural, so roos are a re threat). So... I have decided to look into light bars.
Opinions positive or negative, don't mind. I need the extra lighting and was going to put either 2 smaller ones, say 9 inch, or a larger one around 22 inch in the mesh between the headlights.
I don't know if it it is stock but the mesh is soils and will hold without drama.
Looking at approx 120 to 144watts of power.
Cheers guys.

[Bryce]

Way off topic but you dont park near the pool every day by any chance? Just noticed your location

[4th]

edit: one thing to add, buy Philips 100% extreme vision headlight bulbs they are a huge upgrade over standard halogens bulbs

 

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As far as i know according to ADR compliance light bars are illegal for road use and you can be fined accordingly, can not be a single blade of light in middle of moving road bearing vehicle must be only two seperate lights and a set distance apart and set distance from edge of vehicle.

 

If you have a SSG with the bullbar I would get two spot focus lights and attach them in the gap between two bars below indicators. Finding any LED spotlights that are ADR approved could prove difficult as most quality CREE units far exceed road legal limits.

 

You could also add daytime LED running lights in the factory position of the fog lights if your RVR is a Hypergear, but these are only helpful in the daytime due to wiring requirements

 

Queensland’s Traffic Operations Road Use Management - Vehicle Standards and Safety Regulation 2012 outlines DRL operational and installation requirements.

 
Daytime running lights

1. A pair of daytime running lights may be fitted to a motor vehicle.

2. A pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle with 4 or more wheels must be fitted with the centre of each light:

      (a) at least 600mm from the centre of the other light; and
      ( not over 510mm from the nearer side of the vehicle.

3. However, a pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle under 1300mm wide may be fitted with the centre of each light not under 400mm from the centre of the other light.

4. When on, a daytime running light must:

      (a) show a white or yellow light visible from the front of the vehicle; and
      ( not use over 25W.

5. Daytime running lights must be wired so they are off when a headlight, other than a headlight being used as a flashing signal, is on.

Edited by 4th, 08 January 2014 - 09:43 AM.

[jack be nimble]

Put some 35w hid 4300k kits. Fit to a spot light and a drive light.

Or get the same in bixenon h4 for the headlights. Be sure to lower the lights a bit so they not in oncomers eyes when on low beam.

[Django]

^^ I agree

[White Knight]

Wow, firstly Bryce, I will pm you mate, that is most definitely me buddy.
Jack, I thought that HID headlights were illegal as it is...... Just going on packaging which says for "off road use only", may ne wrong there however. The issue I find is that the headlights don't project/focus far enough.
I have the Phillips headlights that 4th speaks of and although much better, the high beam does not throw enough penetration for me. I have DRL's, however that is more of a wank factor than lighting, hey I am just being honest....
4th, I am aware that the LED bars are not ADR compatable and I am not likely to use them in public places or roads to be honest..... I appreciate your input immensely though, cheers.
More a question of style than anything else. I do appreciate it tho.

Edited by White Knight, 08 January 2014 - 12:00 PM.

[brisvr4]

Hids are illegal unless your car came with them standard.
I've read a few standards test reports and they fail pretty much every test when installed in a standard headlight.
I researched quite a bit as I live in the country and wanted the most light that I could muster in the vr4 after driving a VE 99% of the time.
This is an interesting article on various types. Address cut off fairly well too.
http://www.danielste...onversions.html

[evo-gsr]

Interesting read ^ 

[jack be nimble]

If you get the 4300k ones they are not blue. They look close to the normal lights. Set the low beam a bit low so they are not glary. 4300k has the best penetration. The 6000k are like a led torch (crap for long distance. Bright but no depth)
I think the light bars will be the same. Good as work/fog lights but not able to spot a roo at 400m...
If you get the hid, just check the low beam cutoff on your wall at home. They are not too bad. I have never had anyone flash me for bright lights. You will love them.

Thats also why I said get 2 spotties and put hid in them. Thats not illegal. Only get the 35w or when you turn spots off the std lowbeam is pitiful and you can see sfa.

Edited by jack of all, 08 January 2014 - 12:29 PM.

[White Knight]

Hey Tim, I used to live near you and can understand going from your work car to the VR4, and I guess that's what I am talking about. I may go down that road.....
Jack, great argument for use of HID, shame my older little driving lights have been discarded tho, although converting the headlights in total may be an option.
Compelling arguments both, especially in regards to 4300k vs 6000k..... Although the "flood" beam aspect is mostly what I am after. Probably should have advised that to start sorry Jack.

[White Knight]

Jack, BTW the led bars are generally all 6000k or 6500k, so your assumption is correct mate.
Just so everyone is clear, I am taking everyone's opinion on board and appreciate your replies. Cheers

[JohnS]

Just to clarify the situation on LED light bars you should read the information on the following link:

 

http://www.tmr.qld.g...delinemay13.pdf

 

Looks like you will need to cut and paste as it does not show up as a link. This clearly allows the use of a single light bar in QLD until ADR 13 is reviewed in the near future. I would have to look up the requirements for the use of HID's but from memory they can only be used on a vehicle with self levelling headlights to compensate for varying load conditions.

 

JohnS

[White Knight]

Thanks John. To be honest I am not foo concerned about the legality because where I will use it would not be in public eye so much. However, that link is a good read and well worth knowing just in case. Appreciate your input

[Django]

HID Lights are not illegal to retrofit in NSW.

 

Check your states RMS site if you want to be 100% for other states. As Jack has already said the 4300k ones are awesome, much better than your standard crappy globe. My missus and myself both use HIDs and have never had any problems with other people on the road.

 

Thats a whole other argument and it's more to do with how bright they are when they hit your eye when the opposing car comes over a crest. But ALL new cars do this anyway, even with self leveling headlights, some cars only level 10 seconds after angle is changed on the car and some cars like beamers level up when at a red light when pressing the brake to compensate braking.

 

Even late model Evo has an adjustment they can make in the cab by a controller so stupid people can level both their headlights to the same height or worse.

 

My point is, if you need more light for safety reasons, cause your lights are terrible, by all means get some HID's.

[jack be nimble]

The bixenon kits are cheap. Cheap to buy and to fit. Last kit I got was less than $100 on ebay, and no fitting issues, and nothing to steal or make your car ugly.

You say you want to spot roos, but then you say you want the flood lights. I can say that with hid the illuminated signs on the side of the road hurt your eyes at 200m. The 55w ones, 300m.
I suggest the 35w ones as they are bright enough. And just quietly they are the same bulbs, they just pump more power through the same bulbs.

[White Knight]

I realise that I sound like a bit of a wankers who doesn't know what he wants, the lighting I want is more projection but with flooding as well.
Sometimes I visit my father, its a long drive on rural roads with minimal fencing on properties. Roos and cows are a real threat, and they will commit suicide from the road side to get you.... Bastards got me once already!!
This is pretty much the only time I really NEED the extra lights. In future I think I will take your advice Jack and definitely go the bi xenon route for sure tho. Cheers mate.

[Benzo4gT]

Seeing that light bar working first hand, I was amazed by how much light it produces, you can see everything, it makes night driving in the bush or poorly lit places very safe IMO

I'll get one for sure

[jack be nimble]

Man they are ugly, and attractive to theives and $$$.
I think they would be good for the low speed stuff. I have a led reversing flood light under the step of the ute. That is good

[CLuTZ]

Apparently you need headlight washers to be able to fit HID's. Does your RVR have these?

Perhaps you should look into getting a bumper like this?? Mount some big spot lights for extra night time vision?

 

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[White Knight]

Yeh Ben, it certainly lit it up hey mate. I'll post a pic up with how its mounted Jack, I think it looks pretty good actually. But thats a matter of opinion I guess. The way its mounted, it cant be stolen unless you get access to the engine bay, if that happens the light is the least of my problems I reckon.... Clutz, I have the hyper sports gear r so i dont have the front bar like yours and didnt want to hack in a nudge bar either, no offence guys. Pic up soon. Cheers