My new PALS

[Paul]

Paul's All-purpose Lighting System!

I chatted with BobbyB a few weeks ago about some LED rock lights and it got me thinking about making something similar. I have had a set of Anderson powerpoles under my bumper for use with the air pump. I bought a set of 12 volt 3 W landscape lights, cut the mounting stake off the them and mounted them to a pair of 2" magnets. I used nylon locking washers so that the small bolt won't come loose. These are strong little magnets with 158 pounds of pull force, at highway speeds they don't move at all. The 6W of power draw won't drain the battery in a day or two worth of draw. Since the lights are indoor/outdoor and designed for landscape lighting they're very water resistant.

I connected the light to the magnet and hit it with some of the spray stain paint I always have on hand for slider and skid plate repairs.

My new PALS

My new PALS

The powerpoles are very common use for amateur radio operators. They're fairly weather proof and have self-cleaning wiper arms. If you plug them together and they don't work pull them in and out until they wipe clean and work.

My new PALS

They mount to the Shrockworks bumper like crazy mad. I try to leave a bit of the magnet off the edge to make tipping it a bit easier. I likely could have gone with smaller diameter, less powerful, and cheaper magnets and still been safe with these things sticking.

My new PALS

The thick steel of the bumper makes for a good mount.

My new PALS

In use the 3W light is pretty bright. I wanted these for use as rock lights and a bright under the hood light. As rock lights they can be mounted in many locations including the sides and edges of the bumper and even on the bend edges of the the front skid plate. Here they're mounted to the bottom lip of the bumper. The color temperature is 5500 K, they draw 325 ma (0.325 amps), provide 140 lumens at a 45 degree beam pattern. They're 1.79 inches long and 1.35" in diameter. The power wire as supplied is 36 inches long. They do come in other colors like warm white, blue, and green but cool white provides the most illumination. If you're looking at other colors be aware that the federal DoT and state DoT's limit what color lights are legal for street use.

My new PALS

As an under the hood trouble light they're very useful. They can be stuck to the exposed steel parts or the fenders. Here I'm reflecting the light off the hood and down into the engine compartment.

My new PALS

So playing around with them I mounted them on the top of the bumper and pushed them out at an angle. The 45 degree light pattern is nice and could be used as a cornering light for those light night trails with tight clearances between rocks and trees.

My new PALS

And pimping as external courtesy step lights!

My new PALS

F'ing magnets, how do they work?

Sources
Anderson Powerpoles 10 for $9.95 http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpoles/powerpole-sets/
High power LED spot light outdoor/indoor landscape light (cool white - 5500K SPL - CW3-45) $39.95 each http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fmalibu.htm%23spotlight
2" Diameter grade N42 magnet with counterbored hole (MMS-B-Y0) $10.25 each http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MMS-B-Y0

[GhostX]

I like the cornering light feature Paul.  Could also come in handy during night time trail side "excavation."

[Bobby B.]

Looking good!

Going back to our conversation, the two lights I put in are not enough.  Going to get another pair, mount one center rear and make a stake-type mount for the fourth.  This way, I can throw it under the hood or pound it into the ground next to light up whatever needs fixing.

My new PALS

[URL=http://img811.imageshack.us/i/pics008z.jpg/]

My new PALS

Compared to the original Hella rock lights up front

[URL=http://img62.imageshack.us/i/pics009g.jpg/]

My new PALS

[URL=http://img97.imageshack.us/i/pics011a.jpg/]

My new PALS

[URL=http://img36.imageshack.us/i/pics013z.jpg/]

My new PALS

[fleury123]

wow nice work. Although I dont wheel at night enough to warrent this. This is a great mod that deserves a write up at least

[Goldfish]

Nice work Paul. And as allways, nice write up.

[ultrapc40]

Check superbrightleds.com a few of my buddies use them. They cover all of your led needs

[Paul]

Check superbrightleds.com a few of my buddies use them. They cover all of your led needs

I've been using them for years and years. I was recently surprised to see them advertising on television. Years ago I had issues with some of the stuff they were sell, the cheap Chinese LEDs were failing way too fast. I ended up returning many bulbs to them. Recent bulbs are better stuff and I haven't had a problem in a couple of years.

[superslidestyle]

Nice.  A write-up is definitely in order.  However, at $39.95 ea.  they are rather pricey.

[XterracerX]

This is brilliant! I'm curious how your Anderson powerpoles are connected to the battery and how it is secured when not in use... (for the visually-impared visual people like me).

I was actually thinking of the same thing... using those LED landscaping lights for auxillary purposes: cornering lights, roof-mounted side-facing lights to assist the front facing roof-mounted lights, rear roof-mounted auxillary lights when setting up camp at night, etc.

The best part is that the landscaping lights are SOLAR. So no issues on wiring and battery draw. The only possible issues are the brightness, longevity of solar charge and effectivity of those solar LED lights.

This is a brilliant idea though. The hood light idea is perfect! Versatile and very mobile!

Paul... you are a true PAL! Thanks for sharing!

[ultrapc40]

This is my buddy's set up. He used the 6 LEDs light pods from superbright.  They work very well.

[GUANO]

Hey those are pretty cool.     Would look great shining down from the undercarriage at night.  I see a lot of rigs like that on the Glamis night runs.

[wolfmanX]

Hey, good work there!

I do love Anderson Power Poles for ham radio type stuff, but how well do they do in wet conditions?  I have been using GM weatherpack connectors for external connections.  Only problem with those, is you need the whole kit to install/remove them.

[Paul]

Hey, good work there!

I do love Anderson Power Poles for ham radio type stuff, but how well do they do in wet conditions?  I have been using GM weatherpack connectors for external connections.  Only problem with those, is you need the whole kit to install/remove them.

It takes salt water to short out the 12 VDC. So far so good as the powerpoles have been out there for more than a year. The nice thing about powerpoles is that they're self cleaning up to a very good extent. If you plug them in and they don't work just jack them in and out and let the contacts clean each other. They are not replacement for a true waterproof connector ... but they do cost $0.50 vice $10.

[ultrapc40]

Have you consider using RC batter plugs also.  Check these out.

http://www.traxxas.com/products/accessories/trx_accessories_connector.htm