air operated spot light bar with pics...

[Mitch_tj]

Hey everyone, just thought id put up a bit of a write up on the air operated light bar me and a mate just made.

Its run off a single air ram which i purchased off ebay... didnt really need one this big but it was dirt cheap so i grabbed it anyway. Its got a 50mm bore with 150mm stroke. Its just plumed into my arb high output compressor. 100psi is heaps to run this ram.

My mate got me the solinoid and the control valve. I think you can purchase them from places like a mans toyshop.

The bar itself is a peice of 25mm solid stainless and the light tabs are stainless too. Then i got bearings and bearing holders (not sure of the technical name sorry) to suit the stainless.

It was pretty easy to do, just a bit of stuffing around gettint the mounts in the right spot so the ram worked properly.

Anyway heres a few piccys to keep everyone happy. Threw one of my ute that i have just about finished making a tube tray for.

[sierrajim]

Bearing mounts I believe are called Pillow Blocks.

Looks good mate, looks like your ram could be used on a tip truck - I''m sure you're lights will never get stuck with that puppy doing the pushing.

[alien]

how awesome would it be if when in the down position they became rear-facing spotlights!! =)

[Willy Hilux]

They are "UC" pillow block bearings. Both ram and bearings are over kill for that setup.

[familybus]

They are "UC" pillow block bearings. Both ram and bearings are over kill for that setup.

what kind of weight you reckon that ram would lift?

[Z()LTAN]

what kind of weight you reckon that ram would lift?

Atleast 500 lights

[pongo]

the ram on the tailgate lock on the tippers are a bit smaller than that. the force generated is enough to chop the top of fingers off. IF you dont believe me ask the bloke who did just that last week

[RO8M]

what kind of weight you reckon that ram would lift?

at 100psi (about 6.8 Bar) about 1.33kN, or 136kg. So yes, would choppchopp finger off.

Any slicing/scissor location, or pinching/squish/squash location should be guarded very carefully, ensuring that the guard is not a danger in itself.

It's not unheard-of for people to ride in the back of utes (this one: dunno.) I would not want to be holding on when someone hit the "makes lights go now" button.

Try it with a chop bone or something, as a demo.

[Dooley]

They are "UC" pillow block bearings. Both ram and bearings are over kill for that setup.

I was looking at it thinking some sort of small electric motor/stepper could do it...

[De-lux]

I like it mate, would like to do something similar to mine...

[bakerboy]

who cares if its over kill, looks sweet i imagine the solinoid and actuator would probably have been the most expensive part?

[Willy Hilux]

You could use an ARB air locker solinoid to control a 20mm bore ram with spring return. Or an manual solinoid with a two way ram. 20 or 25mm bore would be heaps to push the spotties.

[Jake_450]

sweet looking set up uve got there mate!

[Struth]

You could use an ARB air locker solinoid to control a 20mm bore ram with spring return. Or an manual solinoid with a two way ram. 20 or 25mm bore would be heaps to push the spotties.

You could use a pneumatic toggle switch (SV-5-M5 + T22)to control that ram, it's only 50mm bore at most, off of only 4mm lines, you do not need a solenoid valve at all.


Cheers

[grazza]

This is a competition truck yeah? For when you need to quickly get the lights out of the way from a low-hangling obstacle?
Cant see it as a shooting rig - not enough room to stand on the back, unless the passenger is shooting from inside the cab.

[PJ.zook]

Nice work there mate.

Just a small thing, you going to neaten the pillow block mounts at the front, they look like they would hook every branch it touches.

[Mitch_tj]

Grazza. No its not a shooting rig or a comp truck .... However i would like to race it one day at the moment its my daily driver and weekend toy.

PJ zook. Yep the pillow blocks are getting cut off at the top. Im going to do it when i take the tray off to be sand blasted.

[Red Dog 4x4]

This is mine, runs two ARB locker solinds, as one turns on the other turns off all controled buy a relay =

[gudge]

if u ever roll it, just flick ur lights up. put u back on your wheels no dramas. but seriously its looks good mate

[mattmors]

I just got quoted $1760 from big O 4x4 for their heavy duty setup!
http://www.bigo4x4.com.au/default.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That includes everything but lights and air supply.
It looks the goods but i bet you guys would have achieved the same result for a fraction of that!
What sort of costs were your setups if you don't mind me asking?

[Mitch_tj]

Holy crap... Is that fitted as well? Surely that price cant be right.

I reckon the parts for mine would come in under $500 easily. I used a seconhand air ram but. Those ones in the big-o add are probably
$200 - $300 each new. Still thats a lot of money for a light bar setup.

[mattmors]

I don't think that includes fitting as the email said:
"the light bars are $1760 and come with everything you need - all you need to supply is a pressurised air system. All mounting brackets etc are supplied."

I think I'll be following your lead and doing a little DIY!

[Mitch_tj]

Yeh mate its not that hard... Just get all the parts together first before you start playing with it.

If ya need any info just pm me.

[mattmors]

Thanks a heap!
Will be in contact as soon as the tax man gives me my money back!