jblaze5779
Observer
I'm really glad I found this thread. Good ideas here. I can't seem to find anything that will fit in the place of my red lights at the top. I like the pan idea.
Converting Whelen 900s/Similar Scene lighting to LED?
- Thread starter eporter
- Start date
java
Expedition Leader
I put some SMD led panels in mine. I couldn't get them mounted well so I went ghetto and just glued them to the insides of the lenses. Mine are old and a little dull so you cant really see them too much unless your looking. They are VERY bright with two panels in them.
I used something similar to this:
Mounted to a strip of aluminum and glued in with 5200
I used something similar to this:
Mounted to a strip of aluminum and glued in with 5200
patoz
Expedition Leader
Java, I thought about doing the same thing, but my lenses are so bad that it's not worth it. I'm now looking at going a different route and possibly installing some Rigid Industries Lighting units. They just came out with a DC Scene Light for $94.00, and it comes in a white or black housing.
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/86620
Since they are waterproof (IP68 Compliant) and surface mount, all we would need to do is make a cover plate for the existing hole and mount these on top of it. Or, you can use the old lense as a template and make a cover plate that will sit inside of the old bezel, and use both with the new light mounted on the plate for a little extra bling. They don't have the exact dimensions up yet, but the shipping dimensions are: 5.75 × 4.875 × 2.375 in, so they should fit just fine.
They're a little expensive, especially when you need 4 - 6 of them, but they will definitely get the job done.
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/86620
Since they are waterproof (IP68 Compliant) and surface mount, all we would need to do is make a cover plate for the existing hole and mount these on top of it. Or, you can use the old lense as a template and make a cover plate that will sit inside of the old bezel, and use both with the new light mounted on the plate for a little extra bling. They don't have the exact dimensions up yet, but the shipping dimensions are: 5.75 × 4.875 × 2.375 in, so they should fit just fine.
They're a little expensive, especially when you need 4 - 6 of them, but they will definitely get the job done.
patoz
Expedition Leader
On top of that, you know Rigid makes good quality stuff, and the installation will be so simple. I just ordered two of those lights for testing and they will be here next Tuesday, so I should know something about them by the middle of the week.
Last edited:
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Yes I do; I'd spring for the Rigid's again--they're that good and that bright. Top quality stuff where you get what you pay for.
patoz
Expedition Leader
I just checked Amazon again, and they still haven't shipped! I wonder if I could have gotten them faster by ordering directly from Rigid?
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
You'd pay more for sure!
kcernest
Observer
Anybody in here want to sell me their old whelens if you're upgrading? I'm looking for six.
I made blocking plates out of lexan orinially but they look pretty ghetto now that the silicone has turned all ugly, probably used the wrong kind.
Going to just go with a bunch of scene lights. It can never be too bright!
I made blocking plates out of lexan orinially but they look pretty ghetto now that the silicone has turned all ugly, probably used the wrong kind.
Going to just go with a bunch of scene lights. It can never be too bright!
rlrenz
Explorer
Because my buggy came from a dealer, the red lights had to come off, as well as the siren and any "ambulance" type lettering. They moved the old scene lenses to the warning light locations, and gave me new scene light lenses for the scene lights. Even so, I'm thinking about adding the Rigid scene lights to at least the sides. Each side has a location that used to have a 500 watt 120 volt halogen flood light - the dealer replaced the halogen with a 6-LED light, but I'm tempted to also replace this one as well. In fact, I'll probably start with this light (two total) until I see how I like the Rigid lights.
rlrenz
Explorer
What size Whelens are you looking for -- 7x9" (the 900 series)? You can find good reflectors at Foster Coach (www.fostercoach.com) for $15 per each, and sometimes on ebay and from other emergency light dealers. The GOTTCHA is the clear lenses.
By the way - also check with any ambulance remounters in your area - every remount I've seen gets new LED lights, and the old halogen lights wind up in the surplus pile. Most ambulance dealers do remounts - check their web site for the magic word "remount"
Here's the Foster Coach listing. Take a look at their surplus parts - I've found parts I needed there at decent prices. Ron runs their parts department, and he's good to work with.
