[Watuwant]

Hey does anyone know if the standard alternator in a 1989 Suzuki sierra be ok to handle a led light bar?

[Dec]

Yes it should have no problem, what size are you looking at?

[Watuwant]

I'm tossing up between 2 x 4" or a 500mm bar. Not 100% sure yet

[Dec]

Okay awesome, you're alternator will have no problem running them.
Check out klutched website if you're interested, he's got a good range.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=36987

[1DYX]

I just installed 2 x 6", 30w (3x10w) for a total of 60watts.
thats only an extra headlight.
Although I did run them thru a relay, I probably didn't really have to.
I wanted to run just a single 20" light, but I decided to make sure the coppers couldn't pick on me.

[fordem]

Sure LED bars are more efficient and use less power for the same light, but, without knowing the power consumption (wattage) of the bar, any answer is just a guess - 500mm - that's a 20" bar, probably 120W, that's actually more than a pair of standard halogen spotties - my guess is you're pushing your luck.

[fordem]

1DYX wrote:

I just installed 2 x 6", 30w (3x10w) for a total of 60watts.
thats only an extra headlight.
Although I did run them thru a relay, I probably didn't really have to.
I wanted to run just a single 20" light, but I decided to make sure the coppers couldn't pick on me.

60W at 12V is 5A - a typical 12V switch is rated at 3A - that's the first reason to use a relay, the second is to eliminate possible voltage drop over long, small gauge cables - or - to phrase that differently, to allow the use of less expensive small gauge cables for the longer runs, with incurring excessive voltage drop.

[Critical Energy]

+1 to both of Fordem's posts.

People get so carried away with the idea that LED's are efficient, and assume they use no power. I recently saw a 240W LED bar hooked up with speaker wire, at the end of the day that still draws 20A.

[1DYX]

4479 http://hella.com.au/cgi-bin/catalogue-h ... maint=2226
Compact Off-On Switch - Amber LED, 12V DC

Mounting: Round hole size 12mm diameter fitting (3 x 6.3mm flat-plug contacts).

Load: 16A at 12V DC

[Bucket]

Dec wrote:

Okay awesome, you're alternator will have no problem running them.
Check out klutched website if you're interested, he's got a good range.
http://www.auszookers.com/forum/viewtop ... 15&t=36987

I'm not here to slander the bloke but seriously, have a good look around before buying...like anything.

I jumped on what I thought was a good deal at the time but after a month of using a 30 or 36w light bar from him I ended up binning the thing. The mounting system is pretty poor, always rattled loose and had sweet F A adjustment; unless the bracket/bar already sits perfectly level, the thing would point either 5m in front at the ground or you'll be forever spotting possums.

I recently purchased a better (albeit still Chinese) bar which mount from the outside. It had better light output and a stronger mounting system for a much better price.


Cheers,
Alex

[Scales]

also worth noting you can buy those bars direct from china too....

[Blakey]

Bucket wrote:

Dec wrote:

Okay awesome, you're alternator will have no problem running them.
Check out klutched website if you're interested, he's got a good range.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=36987

I'm not here to slander the bloke but seriously, have a good look around before buying...like anything.

I jumped on what I thought was a good deal at the time but after a month of using a 30 or 36w light bar from him I ended up binning the thing. The mounting system is pretty poor, always rattled loose and had sweet F A adjustment; unless the bracket/bar already sits perfectly level, the thing would point either 5m in front at the ground or you'll be forever spotting possums.

I recently purchased a better (albeit still Chinese) bar which mount from the outside. It had better light output and a stronger mounting system for a much better price.


Cheers,
Alex

if people are buying them hes making pretty much 3 times what he paid for them too so your not getting them cheap anyway