making your own light tower

Nathan Newman · Addict Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 711 City: Baylor

so has anyone else made theirs? I am not too keen on the idea of paying 700+ for a light bar, but I really want to ride past sunset in the Summer. Would automotive lights work well? Or would it be ultra ghetto???

DRAGON88 · Posted: Mar 24, 2003 7:04 pm Post subject:

het some PIAA haloegon(sp) high output lights, then just get a bit of tube steel and bolt them in. do the wireing and stuff and you have a light bar....or atleast thats what i might do...

pjdave · Posted: Mar 24, 2003 11:55 pm Post subject:

we made our own with piaa spotlights, 3 forward 3 back. Used some steel tubing and powdercoated it black to suit or tower. We wired it onto the vacant on off switch for our shower on the dash for a factory look. It was a hell of a lot cheaper and as noone made them in australia we had no option. sorry cant find any good pics of it.

Brad Embleton · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 511 City: Niagara Falls

I bought some real slick looking aftermarket hi discharge fog lights (the one that ligh up blue). I am going to make a light bar I have 4 of them. I will post pic later.

Cowie · Posted: Mar 25, 2003 6:02 am Post subject:

We made our own as well, used stainless rectangular tube and automotive fog lights. We used piaa lamps as well. We actuallt decided to mount a small alloy junction box in the middle of the lamps on which we mounted 3 toggle switches so that you can easily select 1 pair or two pair on at the front and one pair on at the back. We mounted the switches on the box on the tower because we mainly use them for packing up and pulling the boat out at night so they are easier to get to. I have attached some photos. they are not reall good but might give an idea or two. Total cost for 6 lights, switch gear wiring and stainless tube was $230 AUD compared to $1600-$1800 to buy some in from the states.

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

If your in Texas remember its illegal to ride more than 30 mins after sunset, I think the fine is 500 for the driver and 500 for the rider, but I'm not sure about that. Not saying dont do it just bware

Nathan Newman · Addict Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 711 City: Baylor

really?
oh well, our cove is a long way from the coast guard...
it's even illegal with lights and stuff?

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Check out #8, in the lake I lnow you'ld get busted, one of the workers at the local board shop got it last year @ Lewisville.

From: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/boat/wsdigest.htm

It is UNLAWFUL for any person to:

Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.
Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.
Anchor in the traveled portion of any river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.
Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.
Operate within designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.
Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.
Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). First conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; second conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; third conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years. Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver's license.
Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)
Swim or dive within two hundred yards of any sight-seeing or excursion boat except for maintenance purposes or unless within an enclosed area.
Operate within 50 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" or operate a boat within 150 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" except at Headway/Steerage Speed.
Operate any motorboat over 15 hp if under 16 years of age unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or is at least 13 years of age and has passed a boater education course prescribed by the Department.
Fail to comply with the U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules of the Road.

ohsix · Posted: Mar 26, 2003 8:31 am Post subject:

has anyone ever been fined by the LCRA for riding at night? we board on LBJ at night quite a bit and have never seen a cop while riding.

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Yeah one of the chicks that works at the local board shop got one last season on Lewisville, she's the one that told me the amount of the fine.

Nathan Newman · Addict Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 711 City: Baylor

well... i guess there's always a risk. same with speeding. I'll take that risk.
how should I go about building a light bar?
wes, did y'all make yours, or buy it?

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

It may be illegal, but it sure is fun!!! It is a long way from one end of Lake Austin to the other when the sun goes down!