$$lights$$

Buergday · Guest

I've noticed that tower lights tend to be pretty expensive. Maybe this is a dumb question, but why couldn't you just use automotive fog/driving lights like PIAAs? They're run on the same voltage and amps, they're sealed/waterproof, they're bright as hell and you can pick up a pair for a fraction of the price. Any thoughts?

Here's a bunch of them that I found on Kragen.com
The lights pictured all sell for between $19 and $75 a pair, and come with all of the nessesary installation equipment - wiring, switches, etc.

Richie Martin · Posted: Feb 07, 2003 10:29 am Post subject:

I think you're right.

Mounting them cleanly is a bit tricky though.

NAW · Posted: Feb 07, 2003 10:33 am Post subject:

I guess you could use them. My buddy bought an X-star in '99, it had the Hella's, like the second from the bottom on it. A few problems: They put off alot of light into the boat, kind of annoying for the passengers, and they would snap off when the tow rope got hung up. I have no idea why, but one or the other would always burn out. But, I'm sure you'll find some people on here who use them and are happy with them...

Buergday · Guest

Yeah - the mounting may be tricky, but you could probably have a local fabricator make a stainless or aluminum light bar for dirt cheap and mount it to the tower in a number of ways without having to drill the tower at all. Idea

Something as simple as strapping it down tighly with metal hose clamps should work. And it would still look slick too.
Seems like for the price of one pair of "wakeboarding" lights, you could have a half dozen or more off-road driving lights. They even look the same.

dragon85 · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 213 City: Seabrook

what kind of lights are the second from the top and how much do they cost?

Buergday · Guest

Dragon-
They're Optronics 50 watt
Only $19 / pair at Kragen
You can check 'em out here....

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDetails.asp?SourceArea=&SourcePage=SEARCHRESULTS&CategoryCode=&QueryID=417494&QueryCounter=35&BeginRecord=26&EndRecord=50&PreviousPage=SEARCHCATKEYWORD&LastRecord=50&TopLevelCategoryCode=&TopLevelCatDesc=&PartType=&UnitPrice=19%2E88&MfrCode=OPR&MfrPartNumber=QH%2D7CC+++++++++&ProductDescription=DRIVING+LITES+COMP+SERIES++++++++++&ShipmentRestriction=2++&Quantity=1&Weight=0%2E8&HandlingCost=0&CoreCharge=0&StoreCount=0&DcCount=1&HomeDelCount=0&SoItemFlag=1&ShipRestrictionCode=2++&SearchFor=Accessories+%2D%3E+Lighting+%2D%3E+Driving+%26+Fog+Lights+%2D+Universal&AppliedDiscount=0&SpecialType=

Buergday · Guest

JESUS! That's a long ass link huh?

Buergday · Guest

The link doesn't take you to the right page - in the search bar, enter "Optronics"

bluefish86 · Posted: Feb 07, 2003 12:34 pm Post subject:

With a link that long, you'd think it would at least bring you to the right page...

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

Theres no reason why not. Get some rubber grommets and a few feet of split loom ( its that black plastic corrugated hose for wire ) from your local auto parts store and go to it. The only suggestion I have is deffinetly get projector beam lights, I put on regular driving lights and they light up the bow too much.

here a pic, Its the only one I have showing the lights

George · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 552 City: Chattanooga

i started out with fog like a set for forwards and a set for the back not good for driving so i tured all of them to the back and got driving lights this reduced to light in the bow some but do the projector beams help even better or do they only light up object in the water like marker bouys.

Cowie · Posted: Feb 09, 2003 10:22 pm Post subject:

Automotive driving lights are the way to go. We used a length of stainless tube to mount them all too with a small alloy box in the middle for the relays and cable connections.( we then sprayedthe whole lot black to match the tower) We have 3 pairs, two forward and one back and they work really well. Most lights we have tried dont give real good vision when driving at night but they work really well in marinas and for when we are putting the boat on the trailer after dark( which is all the time). Our set up cost around $130 complete plus a little bit for power cable.

(see profile for a pic)

NAW · Posted: Feb 10, 2003 6:38 am Post subject:

That's why most of the "wakeboarding" lights are good for night time. I know the Mako lights even have a little deflector in the light that projects the light out further past the bow. And the side mounted tower lights do an even better job....

Buergday · Guest

Just installed my automotive driving lights last night. They're 55 watt hyperwhite halogens in black oval casings. All of the wiring is hidden within the tower. They pivot 180 degrees too and lock into postion with a wingnut type thingy. I made the pivoting mounts myself. They work great! Can't wait to try em on the water.

squirrell · Outlaw Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 118 City: Pennsylvania

where do you wire the bar in an x star?

billm · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 476 City: TX

how about some pics of these homemade lightrigs??

tribal · Outlaw Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 177 City: pemberton,bc

A bud of mine has auto light's on his tower they seem to work fine.I am installing them on my tower I'm making this winter.I got some offroad use only 100w halogen running light's.They are small fully adjustable and built to withstand offroad abuse.All for less than $100us.

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

hmmm... these are good concepts. How much would it cost to do this?

derrick lenz · Posted: Feb 24, 2003 4:55 pm Post subject:

yeah my friend bought lights from walmart welded them on to a rod and welded that to his tower. light are bright as hell, cost about 50 bucks compared to a couple hundered and i swear it looks just like the boss tower lights. i couldn't tell a difference untill he told me he made them.