Flood lights

[cr500taco]

I have a pair of 55W PIAA flood lights on the rear of my cargo basket for, backing up, setting up camp and doing whatever else in the dark. But, they just aren't bright enough.
Looking into getting some LED floods for both the rear and sides of the truck. Wondering how many lumens you guys are using for the floods.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I have six 55W H3 halogens on the back of one truck, and they are plenty bright. Combination of Hella work lights and projector low-beam headlights. PIAAs are always over rated, and that's why most of my PIAAs are sitting on a shelf in the garage.

I have a pair of Ridgid D2 Dually LED flood lights on another truck and they are OK, but i wish I had more light on that truck.

 

[Hilldweller]

Most LED cubes have very misleading lumen ratings.
You can go two routes ---- a pair of quality lights like Rigid Dually D2 that are quite bright (but spendy) or get some cheap&stinky cubes from Amazon and add more as needed.
I have a pair from http://extremeledlightbars.com/led-light-pods that were "rated" at 1400 lumen each and they're pretty darn bright. Their newer ones are supposed to be brighter...

 

[cr500taco]

I'm looking into quality lights. Baja Designs has a 1800L flood light that's not too bad price wise. Seen it on ebay for slightly cheaper

 

[cr500taco]

Those extreme lights are pretty reasonable, though

 

[Hilldweller]

Those extreme lights are pretty reasonable, though

I've been happy with the pair that I have. No condensation, always fire right up. Got one for free actually with a door-prize coupon and bought the other one for $40. Can't complain about the price.

I have them up front pointed to the sides to illuminate the ditches when I wheel. I have a pair of HIDs above them facing forward. JW Speaker headlights and foglights complete the forward mission.
Long term, I plan to mount the little cubes in back or on the sides of my trailer facing back. Still up in the air about that...

 

[FJOE]

I'll second the Rigid Industries Dually D2's. I have used them on two vehicles now, and have no complaints. the good part is they draw so little, you don't need a relay.

 

[mep1811]

Just change the bulbs to 100 watt bulbs.

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H83135111-Replacement-Floodlamp-Search/dp/B0002M9UTS

 

[robert]

Before I changed the bulbs I'd check the voltage at the lights. Even a small drop in voltage can make a big difference in light output. For example, this is one of the biggest reasons why VW bus headlights suck so badly- long wire runs with wire that's too small.

Good reference material that explains it better:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

 

[Hilldweller]

Before I changed the bulbs I'd check the voltage at the lights. Even a small drop in voltage can make a big difference in light output. For example, this is one of the biggest reasons why VW bus headlights suck so badly- long wire runs with wire that's too small.

Good reference material that explains it better:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

Great point.

...but PIAAs are known more for hype than light.
Better bulbs and better wires will certainly make a difference. But they'll still draw more amperage than a set of LED cubes.

 

[kojackJKU]

Drop a set of 55w HID (4300k) into your piaas. More light no more draw and works great.

 

[cr500taco]

Don't want to do the 100W bulbs... Too much draw if not running the truck, which I do most of tne time.

 

[cr500taco]

Looked into HIDs, but I am afaid that they will be annoying bright for setting up camp.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

For your purposes, LEDs are the way to go, but there is a lot of glare.

 

[kojackJKU]

Looked into HIDs, but I am afaid that they will be annoying bright for setting up camp.

i cannot see how 55w piaas are NOT enough light for lighting up a a camp. I had a set of piaa 55w ion yellows on the front of my suburban for a while and they lit up really good. Are you sure they are functioning properly?

try 35w HID in 4300k or even 3500k. LED light is really "harsh"….