Well, that did'nt work out so well.

[Big White]

Started "engineering" where I was going to put these 250 watt halogen landing lights, behind the grill. Hooked it up to see how effective one was (I have two), and while I was taking a pic, it generated so much heat, it started to melt through the grill. I'm not going to mount it on the roof or anything, I wanted stealth but balls.
These bulbs alone sell for about $150. Guess I have to sell them to someone who wants to mount them on the roof. Oh well.

 

[splintrcel]

Damn, nice job pal. I bet those suckers do heat up. Are you gonna try a different bulb type behind the grill. I see alot of people place lights there. I do like the look of roof lights though.

 

[Big White]

Nah, I think I'm done. If I did anything for light at this point it would be a complete retrofit with projector HIDs.

 

[splintrcel]

One option is LED's if you get reinspired to try again. They are really efficient. Old school lighting really just wastes energy via heat. LED's also use way less energy to begin with so you get alot more light with less energy. The only downfall is the color of the light isnt warm colored.

 

[Big White]

One option is LED's if you get reinspired to try again. They are really efficient. Old school lighting really just wastes energy via heat. LED's also use way less energy to begin with so you get alot more light with less energy. The only downfall is the color of the light isnt warm colored.

Yeah, no way LEDs can get to 80000 candlepower these put out though. Really kickass lights.

 

[ELVATO]

Sorry for being a noob here (and too lazy to look up what constitutes a unit of candela) but are you missing a few zero to that "80000" candlepower rating? Don't those portable spot light put out like 2,000,000 candlepower? And those aren't even as "strong" as 9005 65W bulb.

Also, you'd be surprised what those LED lights can put out, hah.

 

[tallsville]

rigid gots some led spots with 4 lights that are about the size you have there that are 39500. set of 2 goes for about $200. i know not as bright but wont melt the grille. they do have a 10" sr-series that is 91000 that has a beam distance of 603m

 

[Big White]

Sorry for being a noob here (and too lazy to look up what constitutes a unit of candela) but are you missing a few zero to that "80000" candlepower rating? Don't those portable spot light put out like 2,000,000 candlepower? And those aren't even as "strong" as 9005 65W bulb.

Also, you'd be surprised what those LED lights can put out, hah.

I think some of those ratings are taken with extreme liberties. These are actual landing lights, and spec'd out, so they are probably rated properly.

Most LED lights are rated in lumen's, and there is no translation unfortunately to candlepower as such. But 80000 candlepower is pretty significant.

I looked at some of those RIGID LED assemblies, and they would not come anywhere near what these can do. You really can see into the woods with these things.

 

[splintrcel]

There has to be a low heat solution. I have seen many vehicles with behind the grill lights before.

 

[Big White]

Just brain stormed this a little. What choices do we have for a metal grill?

 

[toms89]

Cooling fan for your lights?!

 

[01yellerCobra]

Is that the grill melting in the pic or just distortion from the light?

Misspelling brought to you by Tapatalk

 

[GAINMOB]

Just brain stormed this a little. What choices do we have for a metal grill?

mesh/billet...but if he doesnt want to drop in wattage or go LED...pointless...

 

[Big White]

No, not pointless. I am now going to ebay a grill (they have a thousand there!). With metal, I can keep my 500 watts worth of light.

The grill was melting in that pic, but the light makes it look worse than it was. It was smoking and getting soft when I got back to the xp.

 

[GAINMOB]

so youre going billet?

 

[Big White]

Not sure yet. Not too picky on the look, I am more concerned with the amount of material that will block the lights. The stainless mesh looks most transparent, but more $$. Anyone have experience with the grills that wants to chime in? Fit and transparency?

 

[Captain Morgan]

IMHO for the price of those 2 bug honkin juice burners and a new grill, you could get TWO of the higher rated light bars, one flood and one focus and you'll be set.


.

 

[Big White]

IMHO for the price of those 2 bug honkin juice burners and a new grill, you could get TWO of the higher rated light bars, one flood and one focus and you'll be set.


.

Well, yeah, but the lights are free, and I have them. Just wiring and relays really.
I was considering this grill:
03 06 Ford Expedition Stainless Steel Billet Grille | eBay
But it mentions powder coating on the back. Why?! It's stainless!

 

[GAINMOB]

billet will be more transparent then the mesh...this is through my horizontal billet grill...the mesh will not let this much light through

 

[Fila571]

I would be afraid that after several minutes of on time, the metal would get hot enough to melt surrounding plastic parts , just my two cents.