Rear telescopic LED work light - yes another one

[Hunty]

This is my next project. I want be able to have a switch in the back and also would like to be able to light it up form the dash for reversing. There is a switch on the right side of the dash that looks like a rear fog light switch that does nothing. 2 bits of flat bar 1 welded to a square tube with a round tube inside for movement. I like the stretchy wire idea!!I was also thinking of mounting my aerial on the back so its higher and not in the vision as i get the wife to hang out the passenger window to take some photos.

[Downunder35m]

Not sure if it is of any interest but I started an Arduino based project to replace the center instrument block.
By using a waterproof housing enclosing a pan/tilt system, those lights could be remote controlled.
With a bit more coding even for a wireless remote.
If think it would make a good addition give feedback in my other thread.
Maybe with some mechanical skills can come up with a cheap design for a waterproof housing?

[green monster]

good work Bisho, especially being able to take it off and use near the barby, or prevent some little shit stealing it !!!,
Now please go and remove that Ford sticker from the back window !
cheers cam

[luke.k1983]

Neat job!
Also check they didn't send you 24V lights, as I've a pair of amber LED replacement globes I picked up cheap that were way too dim, until I applied 24volts to them!
Maybe the 2x 15W may have been a better choice anyway, as the reflectors are on small side.

Also, did u connect them parallel? There is a single wire running up the pole, so just checking ;-)

L.

[Bisho]

good work Bisho, especially being able to take it off and use near the barby, or prevent some little shit stealing it !!!,
Now please go and remove that Ford sticker from the back window !
cheers cam

Thanks Cam. I was wondering what you were talking about with the 'Ford' sticker! Its funny what you get used to seeing and therefore NOT seeing, now it has my attention and I need to remove it.

Also, did u connect them parallel? There is a single wire running up the pole, so just checking ;-)

L.

Hi Luke. Yeah they are in parallel, the wire you see is twin core so I have basically connected both lights together on there '+' and the '-'.

Regards

Peter

[Bisho]

good work Bisho, especially being able to take it off and use near the barby, or prevent some little shit stealing it !!!,
Now please go and remove that Ford sticker from the back window !
cheers cam

Sticker gone.

Neat job!
Also check they didn't send you 24V lights, as I've a pair of amber LED replacement globes I picked up cheap that were way too dim, until I applied 24volts to them! ....

Steve

Wired them directly up to the battery and they work fine. I don't think the 15 watt versions are necessary at all for a general purpose work light.

I had run a few wires through so I will play about with the others and get it all up and running properly in the next few weeks.

Cheers

Peter

[Lance]

Looks great, but I can't get an upright behind the 265/65/17 spare on my NP.

I'm probably going to mount one from the roof rack.
I'll have a play on da morrow..........

[Bisho]

Looks great, but I can't get an upright behind the 265/65/17 spare on my NP.

I'm probably going to mount one from the roof rack.
I'll have a play on da morrow..........

I have a friend with an NP Exceed running 265/65/17 who has this set up, it is doable, unless you would simply prefer the light setup on the roof rack.

If you do go ahead with the roof rack set up I am keen to know how you end up running the wires.

Cheers

Peter

[thomo]

Bisho,

What did you do with the bottom bolt on the spare wheel carrier? Did you drill it out? Mine has a welded flat bolt with a nut inside the door?

Cheers

[Bisho]

Bisho,

What did you do with the bottom bolt on the spare wheel carrier? Did you drill it out? Mine has a welded flat bolt with a nut inside the door?

Cheers

Yeah Thomo, just drilled it out.

[big mik]

Check for Voltage drop on the switch.
I bought some missile launch type switches off ebay, admittedly they have an led, but I found they robbed over 2.4V. meaning no lights at all.

Worth a try.

[TurboChook4x4]

Thanks Cam. I was wondering what you were talking about with the 'Ford' sticker! Its funny what you get used to seeing and therefore NOT seeing, now it has my attention and I need to remove it.



Hi Luke. Yeah they are in parallel, the wire you see is twin core so I have basically connected both lights together on there '+' and the '-'.

Regards

Peter

Hi Bisho.
Good job mate, looks really neat.
Having read the above comments, and correct me if I'm wrong, I've gathered that you are running an earth return through the body, having grounded the lights at their mounting point. If this is the case you may not be getting an ample connection through the paint in the telescopic mechanism, hence the dull lights

[Bisho]

Thanks Turbochook. When I saw I had the dull light I tried several different earthing spots none of which had a better affect. I ran multiple cables through at the one time...just in case I wanted other accessories back there, I have used another cable and all works well however still yet to wire it up with the secondary switch.

[Bisho]

Well I have finished it. Here are some pics of the external switch. It is out of the way and not easily bumped.

[Stirlo-J]

Well I have finished it. Here are some pics of the external switch. It is out of the way and not easily bumped.

Do you or do you know anyone who sell the poles & mounts set like this I'm very interested in buying one but I am hopeless with a welder lol so am wanting to buy one pre made