LED Light Bar Installation, On a Budget

[Hawkeye__8]

Hey guys, title says it all. I want to install a 50 inch curved LED light bar, but not spend a fortune. I think I'm going to go with the "Easynew IP68 288W 10-30V Waterproof Curved LED Light Bar (50-Inch) with 2 Piece 18W Flood LED Lights and Wiring Harness" on amazon for 115$. I noticed that this light bar has a flood and spot beam setting so what kind of switch would be best to accommodate that? If anyone knows where I can get another one that compares to the quality for cheaper let me know...

And then what mounts should I use? I saw other forums used G2 mounts and then a member on this websight makes them, however I feel spending 100$ for mounts is too much. But if I have to bite the bullet so be it. There is this guy on youtube called "ChrisFix" and he made a video on how to wire up the light bar. Really cool and informative video.

Finally if anyone would want to give me any tips or suggestions feel free, I'm up for anything. I promise to keep this thread updated with the process of the project.

 

[derian06]

You can drill holes in your roof if you don't want to spend the 100$ I don't think you can use the flood and spot beams separately. Wiring switches is simple a quick search on youtube should explain it. Also do yourself a favor and run a quick bead of silicone around the bar to prevent moisture. They say they're water tight but alot of times that isn't the case.

 

[CRR]

see the link in my sig

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

So far I have been using 2 brands ( Rough Country and Trail Master ) for all my light bar work and haven't had any issues with water etc. ( I do not sell or have affiliation with them ). I have installed a few cheap amazon lights like your looking at and derian06 is spot on with using silicone to seal them up. It doesn't look pretty but it does keep them from getting moisture bubbles etc across your lenses. Keeping them sealed well also helps to keep them from "yellowing" creating a dull and reduced output. Currently for the light bar setup for my roof rack I have 7x 13.5" Trail Master's, 4x 2" square Rough Country and 1x 30" Rough Country X5. Rough Country makes some pretty night mounts so take a look at their website.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

see the link in my sig

Can you make a 54" mount for the H3? Curved?

 

[CRR]

Can you make a 54" mount for the H3? Curved?

If you want to be a test mule I'm sure we can work something out. Thats how I did the 52" and they fit great first try. I 3D model everything so its pretty easy to approximate. Shoot me a message via the contact link on the website and we can discuss further from there.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

Sent. Where at in Indiana are you? Im right in Chicago so not too far away.

 

[ZR2NC]

You might be able to use the mounts that come with your bar and modify them slightly to where you can use the bolts that are already under the a pillar trim.

 

[Happy Hummer]

I've learned a few things about leds and buying the cheap ones is a gamble.
With that said if you don't mind sitting at the dining table and ripping them apart so as to seal them with black silicone or clear arcitechual silicone it can be well with it.
I use silicone around the lenses also. Do wait for them to dry fully or you get dirt dust stuck to them permanently.

 

[H3Wolf]

You might be able to use the mounts that come with your bar and modify them slightly to where you can use the bolts that are already under the a pillar trim.

Do you have other pictures on how you did it and where exactly. I just got back from deployment and that was the first thing I bought

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[jurdddd]

I made two "L" brackets that bolted on to my front hooks and mounded my curved bar there until I get my roof rack built. I'll put a picture on shortly.

 

[H3Wolf]

Oh it's curved. I have a straight 50 inch

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[jurdddd]

I made two "L" brackets that bolted on to my front hooks and mounded my curved bar there until I get my roof rack built. I'll put a picture on shortly.

 

[Happy Hummer]

That pic is a joke right? It's photo shop'd? I must say I've never seen a bar that lg. on front of H3 before.


Not to be a douche....

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

It looks like it is custom brackets from the front shackles.

 

[CaddyStrophic]

That pic is a joke right? It's photo shop'd? I must say I've never seen a bar that lg. on front of H3 before.


Not to be a douche....

Not being a douche. It looks Photoshopped. Also, I have to say, I don't like the lightbar mounted there.

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[Ucecic]

Okay you have to do a lot more work to install these but I'm going to say 30min and boom your done
however, there are some problems that I see with these

1. The fact they are a single bolt per bracket setup, for it to be really secure I would need to bolt it in another place but I really really don't want to drill into my truck. but because i don't there is a little bit of play in the light bar I would say about 1/2 inch or so putting a decent amount of pressure on it

2. When driving about 60 or higher the light is taking on wind pretty strong and it pushes the light bar up some

3. Around 45mph it makes a whistle with wind noise, kinda annoying but it stops doing it at 50 something, not sure what to do on that yet.

but this is my favorite look by far! but if your always on rough ass roads or always wheeling I'm not sure if you would want to go with a single bolt bracket, but if your hummer is usually all hwy...then hell ya these are fine (please keep in mind I did this kinda as a rough cut, I plan on building better ones later so don't judge me too harsh on fab work)

Also, I think Rigid is an overpriced Chinese light bar The are built overseas and assembled here in the US. The main difference, correct if wrong in LED's is the manufacturer for the LED AKA 5w Epistar and the driver. LED is the same compared to the main manufactures. The driver is the difference. Having used both Chinese, Rigid, and Baja Designs. I would choose Baja https://10carbest.com/best-curved-led-light-bars hands down however, the price point is just too great for the average consumer. Working with a company that has a warranty on their bars, were Rigid does not have the same warranty coverage, and have had numerous friends get denied. (they do make some pretty cool stuff though)I feel the Chinese bar would be worth the price. (Not for buying non-US items)