Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Currently running some crappy little spotlights. Want to know how much you can run on one battery. Want to run 2x 240 light force, 2 narvas(something like that), 2x fog lights, rock hopping lights, and then a set of 6 for the roof. This will be a camping vehicle so need some good lights. Got another battery at home, is it needed???

2HI4U wrote:Currently running some crappy little spotlights. Want to know how much you can run on one battery. Want to run 2x 240 light force, 2 narvas(something like that), 2x fog lights, rock hopping lights, and then a set of 6 for the roof. This will be a camping vehicle so need some good lights. Got another battery at home, is it needed???

Best place to start is how many amps is your ALT. As most of the early GQ's are only 50amps.
90/135 headlights=16amps (approx)
240LF=16amps
2Narvas(guessing 100w's each)=16amps
So that puts us upto 48amps, so that leaves 2amps to run the car. You can for short duration draw more power but it will start to take it from the batterys. Also the rest of your Volts want be in the good range of 14-15V they will have dropped to around 12v and what lights you do have on want be as bright.


So if you a want good lighting for bush work, dont run BB lights only put them on the roof as the light they will produce will be more effective (gets rid of the shadows). ONly problem is you cant run them on the road.
And for the Rock lights some cheap little lights from supercheap ($25) as they will eventually get covered in mud and have stones thrown at them from the tyres.

But if you want good lights, try and work out away to mount a STD headlight on the roof and use those narva 50/60's 50% brighter ones or better still rectangle H1's like on the cruisers.

And if it is just a camping vehicle why some many lights. I have a camping vehicle, with upgraded headlight globes and 2 LF240's. Which is a great setup for the lots of HWY k's I do in the dark. And for when I get into camp I have a good 12v Fluro (ARB- $65-$75).

Havn't gone as far as you intend with the number of lights but will try and help. How much you can run on the battery is up to what size you have/intend on using and what size your alternator is.
Second battery I would say is a must as well as being handy for emergency engine starts.
You can run the second batt till its flat, start your car on the other and charge it up again. Thats if you don't have solar charger, generator etc.
I installed a second battery and used a 550CCA marine battery to run radio/lights etc. Its a bit on the small side but seems to be ok. Has been doing the job for about 12months. Marine batts have a longer shelf life and do not deteriorate as quickly if they are not routinely deep cycled.
Have fitted 130/90W H4 headlamp upgrade, 4 x Oscars, Rock Hoppers and Work Lights.
Battery charge circuit monitors each battery and charges each battery individually.
Spent the money on the charge circuit and kept to a relatively standard alternator. That way I will (for now) only have to chase a standard alternator if this one packs it in. Some out of the way places may not stock gucci alternators and I don't want to have to disconnect anything.
Additional bonus is having a diesel and not having to worry about engine electrical power consumption.
I have tried to balance the loading on the batteries evenly and have kept the camping/work power on the second battery.
Dunno if that helps

yeah what they said all depends on your alternator, and yeah why so many lights? afraid of the dark? but seriously a second battery is a must i think, especialy if your running a fridge

embryo wrote:seriously a second battery is a must i think

I didnt need to think ...........




FIT A 2nd BATTERY !

embryo wrote:seriously a second battery is a must i think

I didnt need to think ...........




FIT A 2nd BATTERY !

AND A BIGGER ALTERNATOR !

If you do need the all this lighting power (if you drive alot off-road at night more the better). Have alook at the setups some of the comp cars have, as alot of the better equiped teams are running 24V alt as well as the std 12V setup. So they may be able to help you out with bracets.
As then you could power your 2nd Batt with almost what ever Alt you like (2nd commodore or Falcon alt from the wreckers). Was having alook at this setup today. As I would like a bit more of a safty margin with my power usage. As at the moment I have an idea for the switches where to turn somthing on it turns something else off.

ie. When you need under body lighting you dont need the roof lights on. The same for the reversing lights.
This will mean you want be able to overload the setup.

vagas on wheels, you need a couple of 120amp blings and a welding helmet.

Eddy,

When we spoke, you just wanted to run your lightforce. With all the other additions, you will need that second battery and a bigger alternator....having said that, you do realise that such an amount of lights is illegal, not that I am in the Nazi light brigade.

carts wrote:Eddy,

When we spoke, you just wanted to run your lightforce. With all the other additions, you will need that second battery and a bigger alternator....having said that, you do realise that such an amount of lights is illegal, not that I am in the Nazi light brigade.

I dont think it is Illegal to have lots of lights. I think the rules say that they must be in pairs (so even number - thats easy most lights come in a pair) and they must not impede the vision of other road users. That last bit is where the Roof lights become a problem on-road. As the chances of these lights interfering with other peoples vision is high. Cos the lights will shine into spots the driver cant see ie over crests, hillsetc.

turps wrote:I dont think it is Illegal to have lots of lights. I think the rules say that they must be in pairs (so even number - thats easy most lights come in a pair) and they must not impede the vision of other road users. That last bit is where the Roof lights become a problem on-road. As the chances of these lights interfering with other peoples vision is high. Cos the lights will shine into spots the driver cant see ie over crests, hillsetc.

There are regulations in Vic regarding lighting and the where they can be fitted, how many, and blah blah blah ......... but .....

I found a simple solution that bypasses em all, Wire up all auxillary lights ( roof & underbody for example ) to the switch that shows you are in 4wd !. This way they can only be operated when in 4wd which is what they are there for unless it for the bling factor.

Kingy

turps wrote:I dont think it is Illegal to have lots of lights. I think the rules say that they must be in pairs (so even number - thats easy most lights come in a pair) and they must not impede the vision of other road users. That last bit is where the Roof lights become a problem on-road. As the chances of these lights interfering with other peoples vision is high. Cos the lights will shine into spots the driver cant see ie over crests, hillsetc.

There are regulations in Vic regarding lighting and the where they can be fitted, how many, and blah blah blah ......... but .....

I found a simple solution that bypasses em all, Wire up all auxillary lights ( roof & underbody for example ) to the switch that shows you are in 4wd !. This way they can only be operated when in 4wd which is what they are there for unless it for the bling factor.

Kingy

turps wrote:I dont think it is Illegal to have lots of lights. I think the rules say that they must be in pairs (so even number - thats easy most lights come in a pair) and they must not impede the vision of other road users. That last bit is where the Roof lights become a problem on-road. As the chances of these lights interfering with other peoples vision is high. Cos the lights will shine into spots the driver cant see ie over crests, hillsetc.

There are regulations in Vic regarding lighting and the where they can be fitted, how many, and blah blah blah ......... but .....

I found a simple solution that bypasses em all, Wire up all auxillary lights ( roof & underbody for example ) to the switch that shows you are in 4wd !. This way they can only be operated when in 4wd which is what they are there for unless it for the bling factor.

Kingy

didnt know that you are limited to a number but yes the must be in pairs, most things are legal to fit but illegal to use. ie: musical air horns and washer jet lights.

ps second battery isnt going to help with the lights just running you accessories, ie: fridge etc and an emegancy jump start if you were to leave all those lights on