How to Choose a Led Light Bar
LED light bars are a great way to add extra lighting to your truck, off-road vehicle or ATV. They are also very versatile and can be used for many different purposes.
When choosing a light bar, it is important to consider size, beam pattern and color. This will help you find the best fit for your needs.
Beam Pattern
When choosing a Led Light Bar, one of the most important factors to consider is the beam pattern. The beam pattern of the LED Light Bar will determine how much light it can project and where it can be directed. This will depend on the environment where you plan to use the LED Light Bar and how you intend to utilize the light.
The beam pattern of the LED Light Bar will also depend on the quality of the LEDs that the Led Light Bar uses. A higher quality LED will project better and will be more durable.
Some popular brands that manufacture Led Light Bars include Cree, Osram, and Phillips. Osram has some of the best diodes in the market, and they are usually found on LED Light Bars with Spot Beam Patterns.
Another good option is Philips LEDs, which are also similar in quality to Osram but tend to put out a warmer light than Osram. This is helpful in snow, fog, and other conditions that might be problematic for Osram or Cree.
Regardless of which brand you choose, the quality of the diode is also very important. Poor quality diodes will not project the light well and may even burn out prematurely.
In addition, the quality of the diode can affect how bright your Led Light Bar is. High quality LEDs will produce a very high amount of light, while cheap Chinese LEDs will produce a low level of brightness.
There are also different styles of beam patterns available on LED Light Bars. Some are based on a spot beam pattern, while others are based on a flood beam pattern.
A flood beam is used to shine a bright light over a large area, while a spot beam is used to focus a specific area of light on a smaller area. A combination of both is known as a combo beam.
A combination of spot and flood beams is an excellent Led Light Bar choice for any LED light bar. The combination of these beams provides a wide range of illumination that is ideal for lighting up a work area or driving on a highway.
Color
LED light bars come in a variety of colors, allowing you to choose a color that best matches your needs. White is the most common choice, but many people prefer amber for low visibility conditions, such as fog. Blue, red, and green colors are also used by emergency services. These colors can be more attention-grabbing than white, so it’s important to determine your own goals before deciding on a color.
The beam pattern of a Led Light Bar is another factor to consider. Spot beam patterns offer a narrow, focused beam of light while flood beam patterns provide a wide, evenly distributed beam of light. You can also choose to go with a combination beam pattern, which offers a spot and flood beam pattern.
Beam angle is also a crucial part of choosing the right LED light bar for you. The higher the beam angle, the longer the range of light you can see from it. This is especially true if you’re off-roading or are driving through a remote area.
You can also choose from a range of different color temperature options, including 3000K (Grow Mode), 4000K bright white, and 5000K daylight white. These color temperatures help you to see more clearly while still reducing your energy consumption.
Besides these color temperature options, LED light bars also come in a variety of other features, including multiple flash patterns. Depending on the situation, you may need a light that can cycle through multiple patterns, alternative colors, split colors, progressively lighting different lights, and more.
Another feature to look for in an LED light bar is durability. This means that it’s resistant to dust, dirt, and moisture. For example, some LED light bars are made with tough construction materials that protect against rust and corrosion.
Finally, some LED light bars are also built to withstand the harshest off-road conditions. For instance, Quake Ultra Series LED light bars are designed to be waterproof and durable, making them ideal for off-roading in rugged environments.
Lastly, LED light bars are more environmentally friendly than halogen or strobe contemporaries because they don’t emit the hazardous emissions of their predecessors. They can also save you money in the long run, because they use less power than other light sources.
Durability
One of the key characteristics that you should look for when purchasing an LED light bar is its durability. No one wants to have their lights break down or stop working while you’re driving at night, and it’s important to have a durable light bar that will be able to stand up to the harsh conditions of off-roading.
A quality LED light bar will have a high IP rating, meaning that it will be resistant to water and dust. The IP ratings are based on a scale and the higher the number, the better the LED light bar will be able to survive extreme weather conditions.
Another feature that you should look for is a long warranty period. This is a sign that the company has confidence in their product and that they are willing to stand behind it.
Some of the best LED light bars come with warranties that range from 1 year to 5 years, and a few even have lifetime warranties for much longer longevity and peace of mind. This is a great way to ensure that you’re getting the most for your money.
In addition to looking at the durability of a light bar, you should also consider its brightness. Brightness is an essential component of off-roading, as it allows you to see the road well enough to keep up with traffic and navigate obstacles.
A good LED light bar will have a bright light that can help you make it through the dark and safely navigate obstacles. Generally, LEDs will offer between 10,000 and 100,000 lumens, depending on the light bar’s size and lighting capabilities.
The beam pattern of the LED light bar is also an important factor to consider. Ideally, you should choose a light bar that will provide a wide and uniform beam pattern that will be easy to spot in the dark.
Some of the best LED light bars available today include the Rigid Radiance Plus, the KC HiLiTES LZR Series, and Oracle Lighting’s line of LZR LED lights. These lights feature a wide variety of beam patterns and are designed to withstand the toughest off-road environments.
Installation
LED light bars are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide an excellent amount of lighting for a comparatively small amount of power. They are also incredibly reliable and have lower operating temperatures than halogen lights. In addition, they are easy to install and can save you a lot of money on maintenance costs.
The first step in installing a LED light bar is to find the best mounting location. This will determine how much wire you need to run and where to drill holes. You should check behind each drilling location to make sure that nothing will be damaged.
Next, mark the spots for your light bar brackets or mounting feet with masking tape. Then, drill appropriate-sized holes. If you need to mount the wiring, mark where you will be doing so as well.
Once the wires are drilled, secure them away from other parts with butt connectors or heat-shrink tubing. This will help keep the wiring from rubbing against moving parts and heat, which could lead to a short circuit.
Finally, connect your relay switch or control box to the positive (red) and negative (black) wires on your LED light bar’s wiring harness. You may need to get a fuse for this connection, too, as a power surge could damage the switch or control box or the LED light.
When you are finished, turn the switch on and test the new wiring to make sure it is working correctly. If not, you can return it to the store and replace it with a new one.
If you have a kit, this will be easier than if you bought it individually. Many kits Led Light Bar include the light bar, mounting brackets, nuts and bolts, wiring, a relay and a switch.
Some kits will come with an app that you can use to control your lights, as well. These apps can be a great convenience when you are in the middle of the road and need to turn your lights on or off.
The installation process for a LED light bar can be simple and straightforward, as long as you follow the instructions carefully. The most important thing is to take your time and ensure that you have the right equipment. This will allow you to safely and effectively complete the project without any major problems.