How many lights?

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

A question for the group..
I have IPF900XS lights
The other night I was driving at night on unfamiliar country roads.
With the usual up, down, left, right bends that are country roads.
I have a 1 spot light and a 1 spread beam light on the bar.
With the spot light it burns roos eyes out at 200m but it is only just wider than the road.
The spread does spread well but without the intensity at that range.
All that goes without saying.
But I didnt like that combination that night.
Every bend would have the circle of light lighting the outside of the bend in the road. So I would be left with just the spread beam and the cars high beams showing me the way. Not the best at 100k's.

So I called ARB to see if I could buy 1 more spot and run 3 lights on the bar. (2 spots and 1 spread)
I was told the IPF900XS's only come in pairs. That will cost about $400, so that stoped that idea pretty quick.
I can swap out the spread beam lens with another spot lens, They are getting back to me about that, but said there isnt a problem with that.

I was thinking that I might get out of it cheaper if I swap the spread lens with a spot lens and then put an extra spread beam in the middle of the 2 spots.
What do you guys reckon?

Will 2 spots be enough if set up to light side by side on the horizon?
If not can anyone give there thoughts on an awsome spread beam to help the 2 spots spread light to the side of the road in that 50 to 100m range. Either round or rectangle, but about the same size as the IPF900XS.

And then another possible problem came to mind that I don't know is a legitamate problem or not, Will the radiator get enough air with 3 lights blocking the airflow????

Tell me your thoughts fellas..

Jeff.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Hi Jeff,

I run 3 extra lights. Initially I had a pair of Cibie Oscar SC (one spot, one spread) and had the same complaint as you have.

I wanted an extra spot beam and visited the TJM store in Newcastle. They sold me a single IPF900XS spot - no sweat. Whilst they do come as a pair, the guy had no hesitation in breaking it up for me.

I too was worried about cooling but was assured it would be OK. As it turned out, no problems!

The extra spot beam really helps.

Of course, after a while you start to want more (too much is never enough)!

[Maverick Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Maverick]

Guys,

Be careful running only 3 lights when travelling in Victoria. Several years ago, a mate of mine copped an on the spot fine for having an odd number of driving lights on his 4WD. Apparently, down here, they have to be in pairs.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

The things you learn, eh??

I'd love more lights (too much is never enough for some), but they just won't fit onto my bar...

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

They would have to fine all the motor bikes with that law.
Can you see any reason for that at all?.

Jeff.

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Thanks Slads.

My winch control is inside the bar allready. Hose clamps around the winch motor.

My local ARB man wont break a set for me "yet" but I might ring around others.
Someone will do it.

We are driving from perth to sydney in feb and coming back in march and hopefully doing a few tracks through SA on the way back.
High temps are expected so that is a real worry for me.
At the moment there is a nice big hole for the air to get to the grill, But with an extra light in there it would deflect a lot of air.
I wouldnt like having to turn the aircon off just because I put on an extra light.

I had to ask the question about the cooling, somebody wouldve done this before me, So thanks.

Jeff.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

I would be inclined to let my "local ARB man" know that he may not be my local man for long with that attitude...

[Rhetly Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rhetly]

Slads

I take it you are happy with your IPF's? I haven't decided between these and the Lightforce 170's.

Rhet

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

IMO the IPFs are better than the 170's, though I suspect are not quite up to the 240's...

[Rhetly Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rhetly]

Jeff, apoligies also!

Slads, I would also love to get the XGT's and be done with it, but I can't get over the issue of having $500 sticking out of the bullbar, and the IPF's do fit very nicely in the Sovereign Bar. I had a look at your photos and was impressed by how they look as a 'threesome'.

I am 95% decided that I will get the IPF's in a twin spot configuration and then look at a singular spread if I feel I need it.

Thanks for your thoughts, Rhet

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Hi Guys.

No problems with the thread hijacking.
Doesn't worry me, your still talking about the same stuff.
I'm glad the links are working now.
The 3some looks great. Are yours all working through the same relay?.
Got a call from the local ARB man yesterday, As it turns out someone else bought a set of IPF's in a spread/ spot combo and didn't like the result. Hes buying new lights and Im getting one of his old ones.
Near new, second hand with no marks. But not sure if it comes with a cover.
So i'm picking one up next week. Im sorted.
I will post some pics then.
Just have to learn how.

Jeff.[/b]

[Rhetly Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rhetly]

Well I mounted my pair of IPF900XS's yesterday and I must say that I am very happy with the way that they look.
I haven't wired them up yet so can't comment on the light output, but for lights that fit a sovereign bar and look in proportion, I believe that these could be one of the better types.
2 spot combo for now, and will look at a spread in the middle if I feel the need. Will put a 'blank' in the middle where the spread would go for a week or two just to see if over summer up in the territory the decreased airflow effects the temp at all.

$390 with clear covers, quite happy with that as the dearest I was quoted was $470 with no covers.

Cheers, Rhet

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Well I have now had the third light on for over a week.
Including a run up to Monkey Mia.
Temp needle was sitting just at the bottom of the little temp symbol on the gauge. Same as before.
So im happy about the temp issue so far.
Days got to the high 20's so not taxing the radiator heavily.

Left Mandurah to get around Perth at 3AM.
Used the lights heaps up the Brand HWY as it was real dark and almost deserted except for a few trucks.
Lights were fantastic!!!! long and strong with great coverage.
Heaps better than one spot one spread. I would not even recomend one of each now.

Jeff.

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Just an update to inform ppl of my temp worries.

As it turned out after our trip across OZ we hit some days at about 43C.

Aircon on and not a problem with coolant temp increases.
The needle sat at its usual place all trip.

With the exception of long uphills were the needle would rise a little but as soon as flat ground or similar it would drop straight back down.

Must be a very competent cooling system.
Hot days, heavy loads, uphills, aircon on, 3 light doing their best to stop airflow,,,, No problems.

See pics in the trips section if you havn't allready.
Jeff

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

I remember seeing a picture of someone who had three IPF lights on their bar - can't remember who it was and can't seem to find the pics.

It was a great series of pics.

Was it you Jeff? Or was it Slads?

I'd be grateful if someone could point me to those pics again - sorry, but the "Oldtimers disease" seems to be playing up again...