vehicle strobe installation

bud_mot · Post by **bud_mot** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 11:12 pm

I've got a 1999 Chevy Tahoe that I'd like to have a strobe system installed into. Is this forum the appropriate place to ask questions about this?

Dale Earnhardt · Post by **Dale Earnhardt** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 11:27 pm

Yes it is, what do you wanna know about where to install it at?

bud_mot · Post by **bud_mot** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:02 am

Okay. This is for my personal vehicle and I'm looking to have a high quality system of amber strobes put in. I have no experience doing anything like this and have no intention of installing anything myself. I'm planning to take it to the best shop I can find to do the work. (speaking of which, if anyone has any suggestions for a good installer in the Puget Sound area of Washington State I'd be grateful.) Here are my general thoughts and questions.

1) I'm thinking that a four strobe system would be good - 2 in the front turn signal housings, 2 in the rear backup taillight housings. Will the strobes fit well into these areas or are there better places to put them?

2) I'd like these things to be bright and visible even in daylight so I assume I should go with at least 30 watts per light or 40?

3) Is heat build-up from a strobe in the vehicle lamp housing a problem?

4) What type/size of power supply should I be looking at?

5) Are flash patterns adjustable/changeable?

6) Is a lot of drilling required to do an install like this?

7) Are certain brands/types of strobes and power supplies better than others?

8) I'm sure every install is different but are there any common pitfalls or mistakes you've seen that I should stay away from?

9) I have a budget of around $700. Is this realistic? I'd really like to do this right.

Thanks guys.

Brentd2183 · Post by **Brentd2183** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:17 am

For the front, the turn signals work very well, im not familar withthe rear however...... For wattage per head if you want them bright go for 22.5 watts a head, if you get a 90watt PS and only run your four heads you get that number, assuming you dont get anything regulated....The other members here can tell you the max a helix strobe can take....
Heat build up shouldnt be in issue assuming your housing are decent sized, if you have a very very small lamp area, like the reverse lights and you just manage to squeeze a tube in there and you run it at 22.5 for long periods you are going to see some melting.....
For you PS from me to you i'd say a Whelen CPS690, six outlets 90 watts if i remember 9 patterns one of which cycles through all of them, patterns changable by a single yellow wire by appling 12 volts to for a second......Drill requires a 1'' hole in the housings for each tube and thats really it, if you run into serious problem with finding a place in the firewall to get through then maybe they drill a hole, grommet and silicone it....
As far as certain PS and strobes being better yes, dont fall into the galls trap, i reccomend Whelen, my personal experience but you can go with any of the big companys and be ok, other members here can give you their own reviews on others.....
Pitfalls??? Hmm things like purchasing a PS that doesnt meet your needs, people who buy a 6 outlet 50watt PS and run 6 linear tubes and wonder why they stink....are far as install problem if your taking it to the shop they should know the in's and out's, you just worry about whether they do wireloom or not...
Your budget is more than enough a CPS690 kit with 4 clear hideaways and cables can be found for about $200.00 install prices vary but you should be good, long answer but hope to point you in right track.

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 7:36 am

Strobe tubes will not fit in the back up lights of a suburban..

bud_mot · Post by **bud_mot** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 9:58 am

Thanks for all of the info. If the clear backup lights are not large enough, how strange/bad will it look to have amber strobes flash behind the red tail light lens?

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 11:10 am

It may look ok. the amber isnt a true deep amber its most like a washed out yellow. I would take the brake light out and just try it in the brake light hole to see how it looks. If that isnt what you like then you may want to get clear tubes..

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 11:35 am

bud_mot wrote:Thanks for all of the info. If the clear backup lights are not large enough, how strange/bad will it look to have amber strobes flash behind the red tail light lens?

I think you'll find that the colored strobe tubes (esp. the darker colors - red, blue) lose a ton of light compared to the clear tubes. Do yourself a favor and put clear tubes back there.

FWIW, my Expedition is equipped with strobes all around - to the rear, brake lights and reverse lights. I'm using one of two UPS690s to drive the rear tubes - 1 in each reverse light, 2 in each brake light. I needed 2 per housing to get decent output out of the brake lights. Even with that, the brake lights are still only OK - the LED-X ArrowStik in the window has far, far more punch at distance.

Dallas Fire/Rescue is installing tubes in the brake and amber turn signals on their new Suburbans. They're using clear tubes behind the amber lens, and they look pretty good.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 12:02 pm

Installing clear strobes is always great, but that may no be allowed where he is.

bud_mot · Post by **bud_mot** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 12:11 pm

Well, I fully agree that clear tubes would look best behind the red lens. Originally I was planning to do that but was told it's not legal in Washington state to run anything other than amber flashers unless it's an official emergency vehicle. I have not yet confirmed that.

The old 1999 Tahoe body style does not have a rear amber turn light section. It's just a large red area for both brake and turn signal as well as a small clear area for the reverse light. But in the front, it seems like from what you're saying that I'm better off putting clear tubes behind the already amber turn signal lens.

Jay G. · Post by **Jay G.** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 12:40 pm

I have installed strobes into the reverse lights of the 99 style tahoe/suburbians. It is VERY tight and must be drilled exactly right, but it does fit. the other way of doing it, is to install the strobes in the reverse lights and install a seperate set of reverse lights below the bumper.

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 11:26 pm

Jay G. wrote:I have installed strobes into the reverse lights of the 99 style tahoe/suburbians. It is VERY tight and must be drilled exactly right, but it does fit. the other way of doing it, is to install the strobes in the reverse lights and install a seperate set of reverse lights below the bumper.

Jay G. made an EXCELLENT point. I added a second set of backup lights (run off an independant relay w/ backuplight switching) and put them below the fender and ran the strobes in the backup holes. 1) i got increased light coverage over stock (on a 95 Explorer XLT) 2) by putting an isolated feed to the relay, i also got rear area work lights 3) the strobes are BITCHIN thru the clear lenses 4)no strobe holes drilled (just selftappers into the fender)

bud_mot · Post by **bud_mot** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 10:32 am

Jay G. made an EXCELLENT point. I added a second set of backup lights (run off an independant relay w/ backuplight switching) and put them below the fender and ran the strobes in the backup holes. 1) i got increased light coverage over stock (on a 95 Explorer XLT) 2) by putting an isolated feed to the relay, i also got rear area work lights 3) the strobes are BITCHIN thru the clear lenses 4)no strobe holes drilled (just selftappers into the fender)

Yeah, that is a good idea. I just confirmed that here in Washington state red flashing strobes are not allowed on personal vehicles. So, I'll be going with the amber tubes thru the clear back lens for sure now.

I appreciate all the info and help from everyone. Thanks.

FMROB · Post by **FMROB** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 10:55 am

Strobe tubes will fit int he backup lights of all suburbans, tahoes, Yukon from 1994 and up.....I don't know what the other guy is talking about, but I have done over 500 of those type of vehicles with tubes in the b/u light without any problems...Rob

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 12:03 pm

They fit if you jam them in and don't leave room for the tube not to touch the back up bulb... We did it for one department. It was a nightmare. They had nothing but problems with the fit of the lens the tubes burning out and water getting in the lens. This was done carefully and all this still happened. So from no on we dont do it on older sububans or tahoes. The late models with the redesigned tail lights we will and have done...

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 12:28 pm

Replacing the reverse light bulbs will definately be a better option. You are putting the strobe right at the focal point and not drillout out a majority of the reflector with another 1" hole.

Gerbil · Post by **Gerbil** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 3:57 pm

I agree with matt. Those housings are much too small to squeeze a strobe head in. Get either a pair of driving lights with a flood pattern, or if you can find it, a pair of hitch (assuming you have a hitch) lights designed to be reverse lights. Wire them to the existing reverse circut, and use the existing holes for the strobes. You want to put something around them to seal it up though.

And, if you can find them, the old 911ep strobes with the colored glass lenses will be perfect, otherwise the amber tubes from the big brands look pathetic (but are almost yellow when on)

Oh, and someone else mentioned it Avoid the G word. (galls)

TacticalOne · Post by **TacticalOne** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 11:51 am

Does anyone have a preference of grommet Vs. screw mount hide-away strobe bulbs? I had screw in tubes in my 1998 Suburban, I will be using a mix in my 2001. I'm glad the reverse light housing is bigger in the newer body style![/quote]

Gerbil · Post by **Gerbil** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 12:25 pm

if i'm flat out drilling a hole, i'll use tomar pop-in's.

if i'm using existing holes, the screw in ones are easily set using silicone.

cranbiz · Post by **cranbiz** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 1:21 pm

I have both styles,

Whelen pop ins (in the headlight and tail light housings ) and Sound Off screw ins (in the Backup light segment ) and in some old halogen housings (now converted to strobe housings)

Truck is an 02 GMC Sierra

IMHO the pop in ones were much easier to mount ( especially with a slightly curved surface) and I like the fact that the grommet provides some "Shock Cushioning" for the tubes.

Bob

Jay G. · Post by **Jay G.** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:40 pm

I commonly use both - But no matter which style I am using, I ALWAYS use marine grade silicone to seal the lights fully. It is worth it 100%! It takes a few extra minutes to install them, and a few extra if you have to remove a bulb, but it guarantees a water tight seal!

vehicle strobe installation

vehicle strobe installation

Strobe Install

Screw in VS Pop in