My Defender 110 build up for South American travels

[mtnbike28]

Holy Batman!

Turning night into day! Looks great... how tough on the night vision do you think it will be turning them on and off for oncoming traffic? I know you plan to use them only in the country but was wondering if the effect when you turn the bar off is like driving without lights for a moment? PS truck is getting better and better with every post!

 

[ExploringNH]

Turning night into day! Looks great... how tough on the night vision do you think it will be turning them on and off for oncoming traffic? I know you plan to use them only in the country but was wondering if the effect when you turn the bar off is like driving without lights for a moment? PS truck is getting better and better with every post!

It isn't too bad cycling them off and on, as long as your headlights remain on (and they should remain on at night :elkgrin. The only thing that is really affected is the outer reach of the headlight beams. I think the danger would lie in out-driving your headlights. You can safely travel at much higher speeds with this light, since you can see much earlier if an obstruction is in the road. If you flip the bar off and maintain that speed, the headlights fall far short of being able to light that obstruction in time. The speed needs to drop when the bar goes off, which is probably pretty obvious, but it is the best way I can explain it.

The one thing I will say though is that I would hesitate to even turn this bar on in an area where you have even a slight chance of running into traffic. It is seriously blinding when looking at the business side of it. The good news is that if someone cuts you off, even in daylight, you can let them know how you feel. :bike_rider:

While I was testing it I had a car come towards me. I was able to hit the switch within 3 seconds, but they pulled over to the side of the road and crawled the rest of the way towards and past me. I can imagine how hard it would be to see once you have looked directly into the front side.

 

[h2os2]

Your truck build is awesome! Safe travels when you get started.

Does the light bar give off a glare on the hood (bonnet)?

 

[bobDog]

And just think when your sitting still, no bugs.

 

[DividingCreek]

I'm also curious about glare from the leds- would asume its nothing like the conventional halogens.
Also whats the amperage draw for the light bar ?

 

[ExploringNH]

I haven't put a meter on the bar, but I will. Rigid Industries lists the bar at roughly 14.5 amps.

There is no noticeable glare off of the hood. The hood is definitely lit up and I could read a map on it, but it really doesn't stand out, reflect, or otherwise get in the way when driving. I will have to drive more at night with the bar on to make sure that this holds true. It could be one of those things that doesn't bother me at first but eventually gets on my nerves. Right now, I don't notice it.

 

[ExploringNH]

I tested amp draw. Definitely pulled more amps than advertised, which, to be honest, I am not totally surprised by.

Battery voltage at idle was 14.3. With the lights turned on, voltage dropped to 13.7 but was slowly coming back up to 14+ as the alternator compensated.

Amperage was around 18amps, but was dropping. My meter is only supposed to be good for 10amps, so I didn't want to leave it on too long. The longer the light stays on, the lower the amperage goes. It is possible that it will eventually drop to advertised consumption figures, although that is a far ways from start-up current.

Video:

 

[ExploringNH]

Not many pictures today. Sean from Ken's Offroad and I spent the whole day today cleaning up all the odds-and-ends type projects. We were able to get the 10" LED lights on the bumpers wired up today. On my drive home tonight I flipped them on. I was surprised again at how much light they put off. Easily brighter than the 7" HIDs. I love these lights.

I took one photo of some wiring. These are relays for the lights and air compressor.

 

[DividingCreek]

So whats your new target departure date ?

 

[ExploringNH]

So whats your new target departure date ?

10 hours from now.

We were up until midnight tonight applying graphics and trying to get everything buttoned up for our departure tomorrow. We won't be leaving as early as we would like, but we should be out of here before noon. After a weekend in PA, it is off to Mexico.

Better pictures and completed graphics available tomorrow.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Any chance are you stopping in new Orleans?

 

[ExploringNH]

Any chance are you stopping in new Orleans?

We are driving very close to there, but probably not stopping. The Mississippi/LA coast is one of my favorite places. One of these days I will get back there to spend some time.

 

[Modeler]

Ryan and Shawn,
Good luck on the trip, stay safe.

Dave

 

[achampagne]

Looks great Ryan,

Have a great trip we will be following on the website, good luck and be safe.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

You guys keep us posted and for sure- you are on the prayer list!!
Dendy