Lumens, watts, and LED's

[Tflynn]

I've been shopping around for another LED light bar. Is it safe to assume that the "lumen" number is the one that deserves the most consideration? The higher the lumen number, the brighter the light is as I understand it. I found a 27" bar rated for only slightly more than 2000 lumens and a 12" bar rated at around 6500 lumens. Kinda weird to me that the smaller one has more light output but I guess not all light bars are created equal. What have you all learned from the lights you have bought? What should I pay attention to when selecting a new light bar? Thanks.

 

[Admin]

 

[solrus]

I've been shopping around for another LED light bar. Is it safe to assume that the "lumen" number is the one that deserves the most consideration? The higher the lumen number, the brighter the light is as I understand it. I found a 27" bar rated for only slightly more than 2000 lumens and a 12" bar rated at around 6500 lumens. Kinda weird to me that the smaller one has more light output but I guess not all light bars are created equal. What have you all learned from the lights you have bought? What should I pay attention to when selecting a new light bar? Thanks.

Watts measure the amount of energy required to light products, whereas lumens measure the amount of light produced. The more lumens in a light bulb, the brighter the light.

Pay attention to these things
- the length of the bar - how much wide you want your light to be spread, but some bars has specific direction of the light - flood vs beam (see description, when u buy)

- lumens - more lumens more light

- watts - energy consumption - bigger number not always gives higher lumens and it depends on type LED vs incandescent and etc.

exp: 13 watts LED = 75W incandescent with same amount of lumens.

One more thing, try to ask around on forum to post pics of their light bars on at night and compare which one you like. VERDICT )) : Lumens let you buy the amount of light you want. So when buying your new bulbs, think lumens, not watts.

One more thing, try to ask around on forum to post pics of their light bars on at night and compare which one you like and can afford.

 

[JACKAL]

I've been shopping around for another LED light bar. Is it safe to assume that the "lumen" number is the one that deserves the most consideration? The higher the lumen number, the brighter the light is as I understand it. I found a 27" bar rated for only slightly more than 2000 lumens and a 12" bar rated at around 6500 lumens. Kinda weird to me that the smaller one has more light output but I guess not all light bars are created equal. What have you all learned from the lights you have bought? What should I pay attention to when selecting a new light bar? Thanks.

The 30" TUSK Light bar I have on mine is 16,200 Lumen for $249 I'm pretty sure there is a link to it in my build thread.

 

[JACKAL]

Here is a 12" 6480 Lumen that consumes 73 Watts @ $120
Tusk Combo LED Light Bar Kit | UTV | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

and

30" 16,200 Lumen that consumes 180 watts @$250
Tusk Combo LED Light Bar Kit | UTV | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Both with the hardware / wiring to mount onto a P500

 

[Tflynn]

Watts measure the amount of energy required to light products, whereas lumens measure the amount of light produced. The more lumens in a light bulb, the brighter the light.

Pay attention to these things
- the length of the bar - how much wide you want your light to be spread, but some bars has specific direction of the light - flood vs beam (see description, when u buy)

- lumens - more lumens more light

- watts - energy consumption - bigger number not always gives higher lumens and it depends on type LED vs incandescent and etc.

exp: 13 watts LED = 75W incandescent with same amount of lumens.

One more thing, try to ask around on forum to post pics of their light bars on at night and compare which one you like. VERDICT )) : Lumens let you buy the amount of light you want. So when buying your new bulbs, think lumens, not watts.

One more thing, try to ask around on forum to post pics of their light bars on at night and compare which one you like and can afford.

Thank you for the info! That's amazing how fewer watts LED's use than incandescent. Now it's all making sense

 

[Tflynn]

Here is a 12" 6480 Lumen that consumes 73 Watts @ $120
Tusk Combo LED Light Bar Kit | UTV | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

and

30" 16,200 Lumen that consumes 180 watts @$250
Tusk Combo LED Light Bar Kit | UTV | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Both with the hardware / wiring to mount onto a P500

Thanks for the links. As a matter of fact that 12" tusk light is the one I'm leaning towards. Seems like a good balance of price and performance. What is your opinion of Tusk's quality?

 

[JACKAL]

Thanks for the links. As a matter of fact that 12" tusk light is the one I'm leaning towards. Seems like a good balance of price and performance. What is your opinion of Tusk's quality?

Well It looks mighty impressive all machine aluminum housing and mount, 30" is BRIGHT as H3LL. For the money I am very happy with it.

 

[swsebek]

The more lumens you have ,the more you will impress the people riding in front of you and coming at you.LOL

 

[JACKAL]

The more lumens you have ,the more you will impress the people riding in front of you and coming at you.LOL

Most of my riding is solo or in the front. I am blind as a bat and need all the help I can get. If I'm with a group, probably wouldn't run them with everyone else having lights on.

 

[spifyd]

EBay has grate deals. Remember not too go bigger than the charging system.
When I'm plowing(using the winch ) I run a 12" and four 4s. I have to keep an eye on the volts gage.

 

[Gator]

Does anyone have info or opinion on quality? Price varies from a couple hundred to nearly $1000.

Now, in some cases "you get what you pay for". In other cases "you don't need to spend a fortune".

I'd hate to blow hundreds of $$ and have this light go out in less than a year.

 

[joeymt33]

Does anyone have info or opinion on quality? Price varies from a couple hundred to nearly $1000.

Now, in some cases "you get what you pay for". In other cases "you don't need to spend a fortune".

I'd hate to blow hundreds of $$ and have this light go out in less than a year.

I don't own a Rigid but they are the best IMO. I attached a torture test.

 

[joeymt33]

I own a KC brand for my truck and like it. I also have a $50 Amazon cheapy for the pioneer and it works good too but I had to seal it from water. It turned foggy the first day I got it.

Joe

 

[Tim2]

I've been shopping around for another LED light bar. Is it safe to assume that the "lumen" number is the one that deserves the most consideration? The higher the lumen number, the brighter the light is as I understand it. I found a 27" bar rated for only slightly more than 2000 lumens and a 12" bar rated at around 6500 lumens. Kinda weird to me that the smaller one has more light output but I guess not all light bars are created equal. What have you all learned from the lights you have bought? What should I pay attention to when selecting a new light bar? Thanks.

I put this on my P500 am I am very pleased with it. (I mounted it to my Strong made bumper.)

Kohree 12" 72W 7200lm Cree Spot Flood Combo Beam Led Work Light Bar for Off-road SUV Boat 4x4 Jeep Lamp 4wd
Sold by: Kohree
$65.98


STV Motorsports® Laser Blue Rocker Switch BUMPER LIGHT 20A 12V On/off LED Light
Sold by: STVMOTORSPORTS
$12.99

2
2 of LAMPHUS Cruizer Horizontal Bar Clamp Mounting Kit 1"/ 1.5"/ 1.75" (Includes 1 clamp)
Sold by: OnlineLEDStore
$11.99

 

[CumminsPusher]

We've bought nearly everything on eBay and have had great luck. We bought our 420w led bar in eBay its around 45k lumans was a$160 and gets beat up very bad as we are not the dirt road type we do a lot of single track in the 700 tree big tree branches even survived a complete roll over. Look for in order Cree Phillips then Epistar. As long as the LEDs are one of those especially Cree feel fairly safe. All the aftermarket housings are very close in quality and keep in mind you can buy 5 times as many eBay lights as in most stores for same money if something did fail(however you won't need too) your light will usually outlast your rig yes even a Honda!

 

[jay dawge]

I put this on my P500 am I am very pleased with it. (I mounted it to my Strong made bumper.)

Kohree 12" 72W 7200lm Cree Spot Flood Combo Beam Led Work Light Bar for Off-road SUV Boat 4x4 Jeep Lamp 4wd
Sold by: Kohree
$65.98


STV Motorsports® Laser Blue Rocker Switch BUMPER LIGHT 20A 12V On/off LED Light
Sold by: STVMOTORSPORTS
$12.99

2
2 of LAMPHUS Cruizer Horizontal Bar Clamp Mounting Kit 1"/ 1.5"/ 1.75" (Includes 1 clamp)
Sold by: OnlineLEDStore
$11.99

Do you have any photos of the light bar setup? I have the strong made bumper and I am considering putting a light bar on it, also did you use the honda wiring harness and sub harness?

 

[CumminsPusher]

I didn't use the Honda setup because it's only 4channels and two are dedicated 1 is wiper and one is heater. It has enough juice but I've got 9 channels and for the money(however not near as easy) you can get a better setup. I have a dedicated battery for accessories with a double relay so you can either run key or separate switch with a battery isolater. The Honda system will not really allow for that. Plus the switches I have are double illumination so the switch lights up with headlights then changes color for "on". Pics will follow

 

[CumminsPusher]

 

[CumminsPusher]

 

[CumminsPusher]