Extendable Pole, Vehicle-Mounted, Camping Light

[mountainpete]

Targa88 has a good one on his FJ Cruiser. You might want to ping him.

In this thread, it's the pole in the center.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27442

Pete

 

[jbs]

I made mine out of sleeved DOM tubing with bronze bushings from McMaster. I used coiled wire from McMaster. My plan was to have the wire run inside the pole, but it was a tight fit and may not have retracted properly, so I used a separate tube to the coiled wire (like the Kaymar). The light is a VisionX Solstice.

 

[whitecon]

I made mine out of sleeved DOM tubing with bronze bushings from McMaster. I used coiled wire from McMaster. My plan was to have the wire run inside the pole, but it was a tight fit and may not have retracted properly, so I used a separate tube to the coiled wire (like the Kaymar). The light is a VisionX Solstice.

That is a sweet design. Could you post some more detailed pics of the sleeved pole. I may have to modify mine a bit to emulate your design. I like it. How does it stay extended?

 

[86cj]

I like both ideas, moving the light above the spare and roof only during use is a good one..
I had planned to make something similar but never got around to it. That and my Hella Matador seems to do fine mounted low for now. Even though the pole light can be pointed, I was going to use a couple of flood lights to give wider coverage. I used both my Matador and my new ORO LED Rocklights at camp and found that less is more at night around camp, 55watts of old school light was offensive to some. I would mount both flood and some small LED lights to the mast...

I also looked at marine post lights that fit into its own flush 12V plug, then keep the light inside until needed

 

[4x4mike]

Here is what I've been working on. I still have to wire it and make a mount.

 

[Yudda]

Here is what I've been working on. I still have to wire it and make a mount.

Dude...that is Rock and Roll cool !!!!

I know thats a weird response...... but im listening to Night Ranger right now.
Havent heard 'Sister Christian' in 15 years !

Back to the post.....details please !!!

sorry too much coffee:coffeedrink:,
rob

 

[4x4mike]

It's 4 crees in a homemade housing consisting of part of a mag light, glass lens and 2" PVC. It's got a big heat sink in there right now but it gets too hot and it's not open to the air so I till have some work to do.

 

[4x4mike]

I had some time today so I did a little rewiring and made a mount. I've got one switch now and it turns on all 4 leds and they are floods. They are running at 500ma so they run a lot cooler yet still put out light.

Light with mount

Then I had to wait for it to get dark.
Here it is from the other side of my back yard.

Here it is with a 3' pvc "pole" setup looking across the yard.

Here propped up on the roof.

 

[Yudda]

OUTSTANDING !

rob

 

[4x4mike]

Oh, I suppose the light you wanted is Bike LED Flashlight, but you wanted is used for your car.

Spam?

Nope actually. I wanted something quite a bit different so I made it.

 

[Yudda]

Spam?

Nope actually. I wanted something quite a bit different so I made it.

Hey bud,

how did you end up mounting this ? extendable pole ?


rob

 

[4x4mike]

I didn't realize I hadn't updated this thread. It's on a pvc pole about 2 feet long with a large magnet on the bottom of the pole. It'll allow me to "stick" it to the roof or hood and with the swivel I am set. The magnet was from the hardware store and had a large hook in it. I think it was to hang stockings or what not. Anyways I took out the hook and stick a bolt through the hole and into a pvc cap, stuck the cap on the end of the pvc pipe and walla.
It rides in the back of the 4Runner all the time and it's holding up great and I'm always finding excuses to plug it in and light it up.

 

[Idlehour]

Bump from 2010.....

I've been looking for a reverse light for everyday use that could double as a camp/trailer light. Going through this thread got me inspired so I started on a telescoping mast. I only have an old homemade mtn bike light with a 12v halogen in it for testing. At this point I'm just getting the mast figured out. I'll probably end up goin with a led solstice or dually.

I had an old thrift store tripod sitting in the garage. Took a leg off. It telescopes from ~23"-->~56"

bike light strapped to the mast for testing

The bikelight already had a coiled cord on it. It is light gauge but never had a problem with the halogen at 15w. The led should draw similar.

Taped the cord
To the bottom for testing

Mast extends fully with coiled wire inside the mast 56"

mast extends and detracts perfectly, downtown hang up at all.

I'm mounting this on one side of my spare carrier. jeep is daily driven so I like to keep it realitively stock looking on the outside. Ill mount it on the tailgate behind the spare with the 3d brake light. I figure I can hide it back behind the tire fully collapsed if i don't like the 'hood or have to leave it parked for a long time.

 

[boknows]

build thread using a painters pole
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/70156-Rear-tire-carrier-mounted-camp-work-light-build

A few pics of my recent install.

I ran the wiring inside the pole using a tension coiled 12v wire.

 

[Mowgli]

I've been looking for that paint pole but can't find it..

Edit. Never mind if found it. I ended up using a triple extension pole from Home Depot