Tower lights

freefall · Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2003 Posts: 21

I have a Monster Tower and I want to put lights on it. Any of you have ideas or have pictures of tower light ... not the ones you buy but home made ones.

Tanks

NAW · Posted: Mar 07, 2004 2:12 pm Post subject:

These Mako lights would fit your tower....

You can check 'em out at http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/CTGY/mako_wakeboard_tower_lights

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Build one yourself! Those lights (above) are Hella Optilux Mod 1502 - $50 per pair. Get a piece of aluminum pipe or mount them directly to the tower. You're looking at < $200 easy for the whole thing!

Or you could do it with some aluminum pipe $15 and a couple of 2 1/2 inch clamps a hell of a lot cheaper than that as shown.

DIY like these!

freefall · Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2003 Posts: 21

Thats what i was thinking of doing... i wanted to get a few ideas from guys that built one themselfs. The one in the picture looks good. They sell these things at ridiculous prices.

If there is more of you out there please send ideas and pictures!

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

where can i find the clamps?

Fishmaster · Posted: Mar 07, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject:

The clamps above come from ChassisShop, there is a link and also light bar project links at www.diyTower.com Tower lights are slow moving products which is why they are pricey.

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Here is a link to the lights. They are $50 a pair, Free Shipping! So, if you wanted six (good number), that's $150. They come with relays (nice), but I would not use thier wiring harness - built more for a automobile system.

Here is a link CLICK HERE

And, Yes - the prices are outrageous. That's why I built my entire light and speaker bar.

Everything you see, including speakers, cans, lights, clamps, the whole thing - ~$450-$500 max.

JANSEN · Outlaw Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 101 City: LYNNWOOD

Is it true, tower lights do not do much but look good? I been told that they are to high to see where you are going, both for drivinng and boarding.

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Well....I suppose all in the eyes of the beholder. It's certaintly BLING BLING, or PIMP, if you prefer.

They are handy for loading up on the trailer or docking, but there is a fair amount of glare off of them.

We are NEVER boarding or skiing at night, so the reverse lights are used for something completely different. I use them as signals to the guy at the end of the rope. Constant ON - means target speed is being maintained. Flash Once - Turning Left, Flash Twice - Turning Right. Lights OFF - go figure!

You can make them useful or useless - depends on what you want them for.

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

thanx monster
i like to surf @ night, so they're absolutely perfect, and they do throw a pretty good light out on the wake while wakeboarding...but its kinda like landing blind ('cause you basically are, it does give you a good orientation though...)

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

would it be best to use ACTUAL fog lamps, ya know, amber lights. Would those project a better beam that doesn't blind you or simply bounce of the water?

JANSEN · Outlaw Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 101 City: LYNNWOOD

DiyGuy,
Thanks. Have you ever used the docking lights under the rub rail? Are they better for driving at night vs. tower lights?

NHeckerson · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 104 City: Manhattan

Remember that docking/tower lights are illegal to use in most states at speed. In most states you can only legally use these lights for docking, as you can only have nav (red/green and stern) while moving at speed. But I agree, they are pimp.

chane · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 7:27 am Post subject:

Thanks for the tip on those lights DiyGuy!

Anyone know where to get a cheap peice of square tubing similar to the Mako above?

I ordered the clamps from Raul so all I need is something to mount them to.. I also plan to add a small 360° nav light in the middle.

DiyGuy, why not use the included wiring? What do you recommend?

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

You will see when you get the lights. They come with a pretty cheezy setup and the wires just are not long enough to route into/thru a pipe. I too have looked high and low for some of that flat tube aluminum... drew a blank.

Here is a pic of the modification to the lights wiring I did.

gundogg · Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 13

If you are looking for different aluminum tubing or sheets and don't need much, then try this place. I found them on DC Tech's website, when looking for speaker clamps.

http://www.onlinemetals.com/

chane · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 11:43 am Post subject:

Thanks! I think I'll try around here local first. Should be cheap for like 3'..

Someone tell me where to get some LED cockpit lights like this and I'll be set!

How long is your setup DiyGuy?

D O double G · Outlaw Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 235 City: G-vine

chane, Email Brian at Mako.... get on your knees... grovel, beg, and plead... bribes are good too. Twisted Evil

On that note, asking how long DIY's setup is kinda personal, dontcha think?? Shocked

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

According to MY measurement, it's exactly 4 feet, but the lovely Mrs. swares it isn't even close to half of that!

As she was walking back inside, I heard a mumble..."in your dreams A**hole"! Embarassed

Wakeside1 · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 8:34 pm Post subject:

We will offer LED cockpit lights very soon. They will attach to tower clamps and can be aimed slightly. We will announce availability on our news blog "Wakeside News" when we add the item.

The Mako 4 Speaker Light Combo has cool LED down lights. We just did a custom set of the Mako 2 Speaker Light Combo with LED's this week.

dcm · Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 31

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Or here... Free Shipping!

CLICK HERE - FREE SHIPPING

Wakeside1 · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject:

I think halogen would be far too bright for a tower mounted cockpit down light. LED's like on the Mako 4 Speaker Light Combo bar is the way to go.

chane · Posted: Mar 11, 2004 6:44 am Post subject:

Those look a little too big/bright.. The Mako ones are expensive. If money was no object, I would just order one. Confused

I am thinking that if it is dark enough to need a dome light, then the other 6 tower lights should provide enough light for the cockpit..

I found a deal on the Hella Optilux 1502's @ $30 a pair! Very Happy

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Chane

WHERE did you get $30 a pair from?

tmorton · Newbie Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 City: Corinth

Found a couple of links while out searching around. I am guessing it might be possible to replace the standard bulb with one of these LED bulbs.

I am also interested in where to get some of those Hella's for 30 Bucks.

DIYguy I live about 5 min north of Lake Dallas. I would like to pick your brain sometime on the lightbar setup.

HTH
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm

chane · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 7:18 am Post subject:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33709&item=2466204342

She doesn't have any feedback yet, so I'll let you know how it goes.. She gave me UPS tracking info within a couple of hours.

Broccoli B · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 8:52 am Post subject:

DIYGuy: Where did you buy the wiring for all this stuff. If possible, could you write up or draw up a schematic of your wiring? Thanks!

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Re-wiring the Hella Lights is actually very easy. Home Depot, Radio Shack, any Electronics Store would have what you need.

Rubber Gromets - About 5 cents each 1/4 in - for the replacement of the grommet that comes with the lights and for the tube/pipe of whatever you run the other ends into.

1/4 inch Split Loom Plastic Tubing - about $3.00 for 10 feet of it. That's what you wrap your wires in.

16 ga wire red/black - $6.00 each roll / 50 ft ea - more than you will need - cut the plug connectors off the lights and solder about 8 inches of red/black wire, then cover in shrink wrap.

Now, take the 1/4 split loom tubing and run your lights wires through them and into each end of the rubber grommet. Push the grommets in place - Wa-Lah

Now, Hooking it all up to come on and go off and anything else inbetween takes a bit more explanation.

tmorton · Newbie Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 City: Corinth

Well I found these lights tonight and I ordered a few sets. Hey I got 3 for the price of one set of Hellas. I will post some pics as soon as they get in. Also I went over to Plano today and picked up some aluminium tubing for just under 20 bucks. It is 6' long so I will have to cut it down. The place has a web site and they can ship it to you for those that are interested.

http://www.texastowers.com/aluminum.htm

I got the Drawn stuff as it had a better finish and was a little bit thinner maybe too thin sure is light though. Should support the lights anyway as that is all I am doing for now.

Optronics lights.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/EndecaControllerView?D=49ZX0430B&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&firstSearch=1&catalogId=10101&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallany&Dn=0+111&Ntt=49ZX0430B&tmplframe=EndecaCategoryView&langId=-1&section=body&storeId=10101&Ntk=AllTextSearchGroup&ss=10101

Albert_J · Posted: Mar 14, 2004 2:10 am Post subject:

Here is mine

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

TM

Good Find! Also see you found TexasTowers for the alum pipe! Sort of a crusty bunch over there - been there 3 times. You DID get the right size... It's the lighther weight pipe, but it will work perfectly.

Let me know if you need to get that pipe polished out to make it look like chrome. I've got the buffing wheels and the best rouge I could find. Takes about 45 min to sand down then polish.