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A dozen driving lights? 

 

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 Post subject: A dozen driving lights?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:05 pm 
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Im looking to fit aroundabout' a dozen driving lights, maybe two :twisted: to my F350. Anyone have any suggestions, say wiring, or more to the point, how many batteries would i be needing?
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:24 am 
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Why so many lights?
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:36 am 
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so if people flash him he can burn their eyes out!!

 

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:55 am 
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Or light up the MCG in a blackout.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:29 am 
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or maybe because hes victorian

 

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:58 am 
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Unless you need to be able control exactly which lights are on at a given time, get some big relays and thick cable. Hook up a single switch that comes off the high beam wire to control your relays (maybe stick some fuses in there somewhere as well).

Batteries aren't important unless you intend to run the lights with the engine off (turn your lights off while trying to start the car). You will need a big alternator.

Find the total wattage you are using (say you have 8 x 100w lights = 800watts)

800watts /12volts = 67amps

add 20-60amps for the rest of your car = 90-130 amps
and add a safety margin, so 100-150amps

If your alternator isn't up to scratch you can get it rewound or replace it with a bigger one. I have heard of people using multiple alternators although that comes with it's own set of problems.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:11 pm 
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80w alternator and dual batteries is a hastle free setup :)

 

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:02 pm 
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Well its an old 80's 350, Seventh Gen, 351 V8, the lights in question, there are two main reasons for the lights.

First. The bragging rights, the OVER practicality of it and the use of portable floodlights.

Second. For a bit of fundraising with ZS

It will look amazing and im going to upload pics when im done

Its supposted to look dodgy, out of place and very post-apocalyptic, the survivors truck

Anyother suggestions? Open to all critism and opinions :twisted:

 

 

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:18 pm 
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to start with you will need a few Delco big amp alts and a big a** bracket to hold them and a few extra pulleys and belts and some mother sized relays. And look into a few batteries to go with it, not a easy task and not cheap.

this will give you an idea

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:33 pm 
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If you want literally 2 dozen high power lights, then you might need a setup similar to those ^^^^.

If you just want 6-12 lights (6 HID lights will put out more light and use less power than 1-2 dozen standard incandescent bulbs) you should get away with a single rewound or aftermarket alternator.

Running multiple alternators would make the job much more complex.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:36 pm 
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heydonms wrote:
If you want literally 2 dozen high power lights, then you might need a setup similar to those ^^^^.

If you just want 6-12 lights (6 HID lights will put out more light and use less power than 1-2 dozen standard incandescent bulbs) you should get away with a single rewound or aftermarket alternator.

Running multiple alternators would make the job much more complex.


the good HID ones cost about a grand for a pair though :shock:

 

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:44 pm 
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trick is relays and corect wiring , wire them in pairs of the relay work it like this

2 lights = 1 relay
4 lights= 2 relays
6 lights =3 relays
and so on , as described before work out how many amps will be drawn ussing the watts devided by 12volts , run a inline fuse on each set of lights ,suggest to at least run dual batteries , if confused talk to your local auto lecy , nice looking truck btw

 

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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:50 pm 
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There are some available for around the $600 but yeah good ones are around the $1000 mark, conversion kits would be slightly cheaper but may not be quite as tidy.

All up I suspect that the cost of decent HID lights would be cheaper than the equivalent in normal lights (with a shorter bulb life), extra alternators, extra batteries, load balancing circuitry (to allow for different voltages out of the alternators, etc) and the extra fuel required to power everything.

Plus they would be smaller, lighter, easier to install and produce a whiter light.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:28 pm 
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Way too expensive. Incandescent lights is the way, i have myself a 351 windsor v8, plenty of output.

I dont forsee any problems in keeping charge, i have one truck battery in the garage, looking at getting another one, and looking at heavy duty alternators

hmm

We shall see anyone know of any good brands? - Looking at truck alternators at the moment... Delco Remy is one im under the impression is powerfull 12v 95A, but not sure if its still going to be enough

Thanks for your input guys

Any other suggestions? Even about the truck in general? :twisted:
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:46 pm 
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I run 6 130w spotlights on my XH. These run a 110amp alternator standard. When you actually think about what you are trying to do what I am about to say will make sense.
If you run a second battery, which is isolated from the first, use this battery to power the lights. That way you still have the first battery to run your standard lights. Also, you will find it very rare that this will actually happen. This is simply because it will be unusual for the spotlights to be on for the hour or so that it will take to run the battery flat with the vehicle at idle. I also run sidelights and various other lights and have never ran the battery flat with the lights. I think the total draw we worked out one night over a can or three was about 78 amps (that was before the last spending spree at Jaycar :twisted: ). That was without the engine management system, stereo and other bits and pieces: primarily the lights.
Anyway, IMHO if the charge system is setup with a bit of thought and attention to detail, a second alternator is not really necessary.

 

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