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SteveS

Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: Devon & Berkshire
Posts: 388

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Additional lights - HID or traditional, what configuration

Like many others on this site I am thinking about lighting now that the nights are starting to draw in again. I'm planning to have 4 smallish lights across the top of the truck to augment the stabdard TDCi driving lights. I will go for Lightforce lights so that I can use the filters and diffusers. Some questions:

1 - I will probably go for Lightforce 140s x 4 but am not sure whether to go for 4x HID or 4x ordinary bulbs. If the units are all wired with the main beam will the HID strike up time be a nuisance or the reliability of the bulbs be reduced?
2 - I have considered potentially having some or all of the lights running of the main beam switch via a relay - advantages and disadvantages of this
3 - would it be a good idea to have say two units operated on main beam and two on a separate switch - potentially for say Fog or wide pattern use. Would it be a 'waste' to use HID units for this application? (I'm thinking that the HIDs would be better used for long times rather than on-off-on of general high beam use)
4 - I could mount the units to the front of my Hannibal rack - would this present any particular problems or are there advantages in using a light mounting bar? I will probably not remove my rack but should I wish to what would be the best way to incorporate a good quality breakable electrical connection?
5 - I think I've read somewhere that there will be reflections from the lights on the bonnet - other than putting matt paint on the bonnet or using chequer-plate are there any other ideas to reduce this? I was thinking of some kind of shroud or hood to go on the lights
6 - I don't fancy putting lights on the bumper (and I don't want to fit a light bar down there) because of the potential for damage - but should I seriously consider this before I put lights up high?
7 - and finally - LED light strips - seem to be expensive, throw plenty of light, are low power, but not a real beam - thoughts?

Your thoughts and tips gratefully received

15th Aug 2011 5:32pm

ay4alex

Member Since: 18 Feb 2009
Location: Midlands
Posts: 328

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Java Black

Personally I chose Hella Compact Metal Xenon (expensive but I got a very good deal) and I absolutely couldn't recommend the Xenon enough. I chose to wire them to come on with the Main Beams, I since learned that flashing HID or Xenon reduces bulb life, so I avoid flashing and use hand signals wherever possible! (once the lights have warmed up it is okay to flash with them) You will need to include a switch to isolate the lamps from the standard main beams to be legal, you can get the appropriate switch online or from LR parts. Once you add the additional lights you'll really notice if you switch them off again!! Mounting the lights high (on your Hanibal will mean that any wide beam lights will reflect off your bonnet if aligned low, so consider possibly getting a vinyl cover for the raised bit of your TDCI bonnet ( for example that fitted to the SVX with the 60th effect) you could just get a big matt black sheet and cut it to size!! I chose to mount the lights on a genuine LR a-bar, which I am pleased with, Personally I'd pursue having the lights lower if possible.

Sorry, can't advise on LED's!! have a look at Twisted Performance for potential ideas!!!

Thanks Alex 110 Tdci Double Cab

15th Aug 2011 8:07pm

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3748

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Ditto, what Alex said

Click image to enlarge California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

15th Aug 2011 9:51pm

ay4alex

Member Since: 18 Feb 2009
Location: Midlands
Posts: 328

TJ, I made some spacers to put the lights lower on the A frame, I'll take some photos tomorrow, it just drops them into line with the existing Headlights. It just seemed to neaten everything up!

Click image to enlarge
IMG_0137 by .:alx:., on Flickr

Click image to enlarge
IMG_0125 by .:alx:., on Flickr 110 Tdci Double Cab

15th Aug 2011 9:54pm

Lukey Boy

Member Since: 10 Jun 2011
Location: Norwich
Posts: 122

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Steve,

Think I read on a previous post, someone had Lightforce 140s on a roof bar or rack but they wished they'd gone for 170's. It was quite a long time ago though!

I wonder if they might look too big? Certainly a higher output though.

2008 110 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

16th Aug 2011 12:08am

Glynparry25

Member Since: 16 Feb 2009
Location: Miserable Midlands
Posts: 3015

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Tonga Green

Lukey Boy wrote:
Steve,

Think I read on a previous post, someone had Lightforce 140s on a roof bar or rack but they wished they'd gone for 170's. It was quite a long time ago though! I wonder if they might look too big? Certainly a higher output though.

go for the 170s. They are both mounted on the same backing so overall height difference is only 15mm..... Not noticeable- but the bottom of the light will fill the gap better.

For an A-Bar the 140s would work good.

I am sure Mal will agree with me that the 240XGTs are just out of this world and you can 'flash' them all you like:

Click image to enlarge

When funds permit I will be fitting 4x 170s to my cage with the lightforce lowering brackets so will sit lower then the 140s on standard brackets.

Reflection answer other than the vinyl patch on your bonnet will be a lower lip on your lights so it can't shine in a downward direction. I have a square of vinyl ready to fit- cost about £5

Glyn

:sheep:

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

16th Aug 2011 3:58am

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2411

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White

Have 240s http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic2932.h...ious+spots

Normal lightforce bulbs are just great. Personally I would not spent buckets of cash for HID unless you use them everynight. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

16th Aug 2011 9:48am

SteveS

Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: Devon & Berkshire
Posts: 388

Thanks for the inputs so far. Anyone got experience with LEDs particularly with respect to beam pattern/coverage?

16th Aug 2011 8:57pm

K9F

Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Glynparry25 wrote:
I am sure Mal will agree with me that the 240XGTs are just out of this world and you can 'flash' them all you like: Glyn

Yep!

Click image to enlarge

Brackets I made to fix the lights to OEM soft A-Bar.

MK wrote:
Normal lightforce bulbs are just great. Personally I would not spent buckets of cash for HID unless you use them everynight.

Agree 100% with what MK states: The 240's depicted above in HID configuration were £700 MORE in price per pair![quote] If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!

16th Aug 2011 9:43pm

SteveS

Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: Devon & Berkshire
Posts: 388

I'm still looking for anyone with views/comments on LED light bar - coverage, beam pattern etc???

Also if I were to mount lights in front of the radiator (I have air-con fitted) has anyone noticed any discernable difference in cooling/engine temperatures - particularly in hot climes?

18th Aug 2011 10:23pm

Glynparry25

Member Since: 16 Feb 2009
Location: Miserable Midlands
Posts: 3015

SteveS wrote:
I'm still looking for anyone with views/comments on LED light bar - coverage, beam pattern etc???

Also if I were to mount lights in front of the radiator (I have air-con fitted) has anyone noticed any discernable difference in cooling/engine temperatures - particularly in hot climes?

LED lightbars- only used military ones in Afghan, and the light is very clean. It doesn't really have a 'pattern' I wouldn't say it is worth the extra cost. I know one of the German forum members has one on his 110 (has the rock slides with the holes, and twin tube snorkel- maybe he could shed some light on 'civy' application

I have aircon on mine, running the TJM bumper, and the 240 here in Cyprus. Weather is currently 32- 35 DegC and I have spent 1.5 fuel tank loads on and off road and had no cooling issues whatsoever- even when doing long inclines in low range diff lock in so only moving about 2-5mph..... The needle doesn't even move a mm.

Glyn

19th Aug 2011 6:40am

T1G UP

Member Since: 08 Dec 2009
Location: Bath
Posts: 3101

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Orkney Grey

is it true that LED lights don't attrack insects like normal lights?

if so a full set of LED lights would be an advantage when out in the midges!

19th Aug 2011 6:26pm

SteveS

Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: Devon & Berkshire
Posts: 388

I've been checking out LED bars from Rigid Industries, looking at various videos people have taken - they look pretty impressive. But are crazy price. However, plenty of advantages as far as I can see including vibration resistance, white light but no HID-type strike up time (can flash all I want), very low current draw considering the light output, longevity, etc.

For the future they seem to be the way to go and prices are bound to come down (particularly with respect to an all HID set-up price)

There are plenty of videos about - check them out for yourselves

Thoughts anyone?

23rd Aug 2011 10:52pm

bpman

Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

another option would be to buy Lightforce 140s x 4 and buy a couple of HID kits and swap the bulbs over. HID kits can be bought for about £30 from eblag - (or maybe have 2 filament and 2 hid) just a thought

24th Aug 2011 6:26am

ken

Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

Just a heads up I'm having continual failures with the HIDs on the roof its been suggested that the vibrations from the defender wont be too sympathetic to the HID set up news to me but im at a loss

Im going back to Lightforce 170's they have survived loads of overland trips in the past

24th Aug 2011 7:10am

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