Installing Hideaway Strobes

tomskillman · Post by **tomskillman** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 7:31 am

I just won an auction of hideaway strobes on ebay. I pulled my tail light assembly out on my 2000 GMC Jimmy to investigate the best mounting situation. Anyone have any ideas on the best mounting scheme. There doesn't appear to be a great location to mount the strobe assembly. I haven't even tried opening up the front corner marker yet to see about those. I havent' decided whether to put the strobes in the red tail light or the white reverse light. I'm thinking from a legal standpoint, I'd be better off putting them in the reverse lights, but the lack of a good mounting surface has me wondering. Any ideas would be appreciated

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 10:16 am

I always choose the reverse lights. They are more visible there.
Just be warned- most reverse lights are small i nsize and there is little room for the heat to be dissipated. If they run for a long time, you MIGHT melt or warp something.

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 11:18 am

Be very careful about the red lights, a red strobe can (at least in my area) get you into serious trouble. When I installed mine I tried best as possible to keep everypart of the strobe 3/4" away from the lense and the existing light. My reverse lights were a close call on the 3/4" and the lense. I wish you the best of luck! Oh also, after you drill the holes, be sure to get all the burrs out of the lights. Either use a powerful air compressor or a vacuum.

Flametamer · Post by **Flametamer** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 11:39 am

Just a note, here in Mississippi and in other areas, a white light on the rear of a vehicle is illegal. I agree strobes show up better in the reverse lights but you might want to check first.

Darrin

Post by Pj » Tue Dec 03, 2002 12:50 pm

I find if you place them just below the S/T/T light bulb, you get a nice full effect. As stated before, reverse ligth strobes don't install verywell in most vehciles.. I think the CV is the best at it.

If you are using them for vol fire/ems, just make sure that you are within the state guidelines... Just because you have red lights to the rear since the DOT says you have to have them, it still won't float if you flashing them and your suppose to have blue. It depends of how the cops or DMV inspectors like you. 99% of states have adopted white light regulations stating that any white light shall be displayed from the front center of the vehicle. Obviously a cop isn't going to worry about fire trucks etc, but they may zero in on personal vehicles.

Check with the DMV or your local LEO for guidence, it can go a long way to keeping you out of trouble.

From the Missouri State Laws...

Sirens and flashing lights emergency use, persons authorized --violation, penalty.
307.175. Motor vehicles and equipment which are operated by any member of an organized fire department, ambulance association, or rescue squad, whether paid or volunteer, may be operated on streets and highways in this state as an emergency vehicle under the provisions of section 304.022, RSMo, while responding to a fire call or ambulance call or at the scene of a fire call or ambulance call and while using or sounding a warning siren and while using or displaying thereon fixed, flashing or rotating blue lights, but sirens and blue lights shall be used only in bona fide emergencies. Permits for the operation of such vehicles equipped with sirens or blue lights shall be in writing and shall be issued and may be revoked by the chief of an organized fire department, organized ambulance association, or rescue squad and no person shall use or display a siren or blue lights on a motor vehicle, fire, ambulance, or rescue equipment without a valid permit authorizing the use. Permit to use a siren or lights as heretofore set out does not relieve the operator of the vehicle so equipped with complying with all other traffic laws and regulations. Violation of this section constitutes a class A misdemeanor.

(L. 1957 p. 623 § 1, A.L. 1971 H.B. 113, A.L. 1981 H.B. 183)
*Transferred 1969; formerly 304.565

So, your best bet is that when you install your Blue hide-a-ways, you should be all set

tomskillman · Post by **tomskillman** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 12:59 pm

When I pulled out the tail light / reverse assembly last night, I discovered the S/T/T is actually 2 lamps....with a nice V-shaped gap between. That's where I"m having trouble locating a good mountin location. There are 2 half circle reflectors stacked on top of each other, and an oval one for the reverse light below that....I'll have to investigate some more. I'm actually considering mounting some kind of amber lenses under the bumper or something like that. Anyone with first-hand experience with a Jimmy/Blazer?

Post by Pj » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:40 pm

I have a 94 Blazer, but the style changed the next model year. My new Suburban is setup like yours I believe, and I will take a pic tomorrow when there is more light out and show you how I had it done. I believe the lenses are fairly similar.

tomskillman · Post by **tomskillman** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:43 pm

Thank you Very Much PJ...That would be very much appreciated

firemedic4 · Post by **firemedic4** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 9:37 am

I Have a 2000 chevy s10 blazer 4 door lt. I have 8 strobe lights up front( 1 in each high beam 1 in each bottom fog light and 2 sets of whelen micro thin lights, 1 set is blue and the other is clear) , i also have a code 3 deck blaster blue/amber in the rear. I have no front dash/deck light do to trying to make it under cover. I have 2 roof antennas uhf/vhf and 1 glass mount antenna.

What do people think about the led dash lights ?

Post by Pj » Wed Dec 04, 2002 1:33 pm

tomskillman · Post by **tomskillman** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 1:50 pm

I'll have to look again, but I think your rear lens assembly is a bit larger than the Jimmy model. Is that last picture the front headlight assembly? I don't recognize that picture at all. Thanks for the pictures though, it gives me some idea of what to try!

Post by Pj » Wed Dec 04, 2002 2:00 pm

Ooops, guess I erased the text.

#1 and 2 are from the Suburban, number 3 is from the Blazer. In the pics they all look the same, but are different when handleing them

KG4RZU · Post by **KG4RZU** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 6:59 pm

Posted: 04 Dec 2002 17:37 Post subject: Is this to much ?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I Have a 2000 chevy s10 blazer 4 door lt. I have 8 strobe lights up front( 1 in each high beam 1 in each bottom fog light and 2 sets of whelen micro thin lights, 1 set is blue and the other is clear) , i also have a code 3 deck blaster blue/amber in the rear. I have no front dash/deck light do to trying to make it under cover. I have 2 roof antennas uhf/vhf and 1 glass mount antenna.

Trying to make it "undercover" ?? 8 strobes up front??.. If you are a true firemedic as your name implies, why are you trying to be "undercover"??? Two strobes up front and two in rear are plenty! More only serves to BLIND people, especially at night. I have no problem with moving out of the way of rescue and fire personnel with a reasonable amount of lights.. Don't come to NC with Blue strobes installed, fireman,medic or whatever unless you are a sworn LEO, if you do not want to spend a lot of time explaining why you need blue lights on your vehicle.. only amber and red lights are allowed for fire and medics--to distinguish from law enforcement "wannabes"..

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:33 pm

Maybe he just wants to cause epilyptic fits? As for light colors none of the states make any damn sense.

Hell, Wisconsin has tow-trucks that run red!

No rhyme or reason why what colors go where in what states. I'd say probaby 3/4 of the country runs blue for fire/ems vol gangs while the rest run red because the law enforcement in that state has a big thing for blue.

Chicago is like that. Give all the vol's blue lights in illinois, but lets make Chicago PD or any city over 500k run only blue.

GOOFY!

FireCpt809 · Post by **FireCpt809** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:35 pm

ok.. KG4RZU Why jump all over Firemedic? It maybe Illegal in North Carolina to use Blue lights if your not a Law enforcement agency. I don' t know where Firemedic is from. Im assuming he knows his states laws in regards to the use of blue lights. In Illinois any firefighter paid or unpaid or even a trustee of a fire district can use Blue rotating flashing or strobe lights , blue grille lights,and wig wag headlights. He may have overkill in YOUR OPINION. I dont think him as a "wanna be" Maybe he feels a need for that many lights or just likes it. Its his truck, His money, his butt if he gets in trouble. If he feels the need to keep it " undercover' thats his business. When I was still a volunteer I had a 95 caprice police that had the same or better lighting and radio equipment than most of the local PD's. I never had a problem. I had a copy of my state vehicle code in the car if It ever came up.

So before you tear into the guy about your states laws maybe find out where he is from.

Post by Pj » Wed Dec 04, 2002 9:16 pm

I never had a problem in North Carolina with my mostly all blue light bar and blue grille strobes....or anywhere else traveling up and down I95 up into Maine.

I did get weird looks from the city folk, but no one ever passed me in Sheriff county...

motorolamonster911 · Post by **motorolamonster911** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 10:18 pm

In my area, we can only use red & white together, no blue whatsoever!

Post by Pj » Thu Dec 05, 2002 5:08 am

I would like for us in CT to go to Blue/Clear or Red/Clear. I think it makes a nice setup. Personally I would like to see the cops go all blue and fire red/white like Mass has. I think it would look sharp and people can easily recongize who is who.

Flametamer · Post by **Flametamer** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 7:52 am

In Mississippi: Red lights, no sirens. No blue- law enforcement only.
I'm not sure what the laws say about white and yellow. But I run both. I guess it depends on who and what you know...

Darrin

motorolamonster911 · Post by **motorolamonster911** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 3:55 pm

We can use siren & lights, but we have to switch tones or lay on the air horn through intersections. Our law enforcment uses red & blue, our fire and ems uses red and white (and a little bit yellow) and our public services (tow trucks, snow plows, ect.) use all yellow.

Prospect62 · Post by **Prospect62** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 9:02 pm

Geez, this thread has gone off into a whole other discussion. The poor guy only wanted ideas on putting strobes in! But to continue the madness...
In New York State, blue is for Volunteer firefighters (the law states ONE blue light, yeah right) green is for EMS personnel running with an ambulance corps., red and clear is for police and volunteer fire CHIEFS. Amber is only used on tow/recovery vehicles and I think the State Police have amber lights on the rear of their streethawks. As far as strobes go, the NYS law has a candlepower limit for vollies (or courtesy lights, as the law reads) that escapes me, but it is far under what strobes put out. Obviously some guys run strobes and get away with it. According to NYS law, drivers must only pull over for red/clear lights. Pulling over for green, blue, or amber is only a courtesy. So therefore, the state frowns on having "courtesy" lights with 2.5 million candlepower and CometFlash or whatever. So anyway, halogen is still the favorite around here anyways. Strobes are only beginning to gain popularity, so it will be interesting to see what happens with legislation and the "courtesy" light.

GMC · Post by **GMC** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 6:32 am

Hi,

Just to clarify the law in New York has been changed. There is NO longer a candlepower limit on your blue light for vol FF. It was removed and the laws updated a little not to long ago.

Gary

Post by **HumHead** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 9:10 am

New York has an (un)funny dual attitude about Volunteer Fire versus Volunteer EMS.

They did, in fact, recently remove the candle power limits for blue lights, and made the use of blue lights exclusive to volunteer fire fighters.

Green lights for volunteer EMS personnel received no such consideration.

If you want Volunteer FF plates for your vehicle, there's no anual fee. If you want EMT or Volunteer Ambulance Service plates, it's $25 a year.

The list goes on.......

At any rate, to pay homage to the original topic, I'm a big fan of amber tubes in the reverse lights. They don't blind aspproaching drivers at night as badly as white, and shouldn't cause issues with the local constabulary.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 1:51 pm

Yeah....and police cars are all legal!
Most states regulate forward-facing white lights to (2) total. Wig-wags, center lightbar rotator and intersections makes just about every po-po illegal. Just as the CHMSL (3rd brake light) must not flash with backflashers as per FMVSS#13 and most do!
I assume they have a ctertified meter to measure the candlepower of a strobe in NY????

tomskillman · Post by **tomskillman** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 6:23 pm

Well, I received my strobe kit on Friday, and installed all theheads this evening. The rear ones are ready to plug in as soon as I find a location for the power supply. I still have yet to run the cabling back for the front ones, but that shouldn't be hard. Thanks to everyone for the ideas, the first portion of the install has gone very well. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find space in the reverse lights, so I just installed in the brake light. On the front end, I really wanted to put the strobe in the actual corner marker, but on my Jimmy, that's not a light location, and there's not room. I used the turn signal location under the headlights. Might think about changing those heads out to amber tubes, since the lens is clear with an amber bulb, but then again, maybe I'll leave them clear - any ideas? My install is mainly for helping out with parades and safety if I were to stop to help someone stranded on the highway. I don't recall where, but I read somewhere that if I am using only 4 tubes with the 6 channel 90 watt P/S that I should used 3,4,5,6 but I was wondering if there's any problem using 1,2 for front and 3,4 for the rear? I dont' understand what difference it makes which set you use. Thanks again for all the help, and I'll post pictures if anyone's interested after I complete the install.

Post by Pj » Sun Dec 08, 2002 6:47 pm

What power supply (make and model) are you using? There should be any problem using any outlets you want. Depending on the power supply, and model, using different outlets may give you a "stereo" effect due to that fact there may be two capatiors in the power supply. For example, may 8 outlet supply use two capatiors so outlets 1-4 use one, 4-8 use the other. If you are running outlets 1-2 and 6-8 they the strobes may not flash in sqeuence giving a nice "always on" look. Not all support this, but yours may.

tomskillman · Post by **tomskillman** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 9:07 pm

I don't recall the exact model number off the top of my head and it's out in the Jimmy...but if I remember correctly, its CSP690 maybe....6 outlet 90 watt model I know...I didn't see why it would make any difference, but I read that somewhere recently.....

Post by Pj » Sun Dec 08, 2002 9:54 pm

YEah, you can use what outlets you want. Those are nice power supplies. Just wire up how you want things. If you are going to have 4 to the front and two to the rear, just wire the front strobed to 3-6, and the front to 1-2. No big deal. Install a momentary switch so you can play with the scanlock

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 6:57 am

On the 6 channel Whelen, use channels 1/2 for front and 3/4 for the rear, as it has a common power supply and will let you switch separately.

kb9tyc · Post by **kb9tyc** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 1:50 am

apco25 wrote:Hell, Wisconsin has tow-trucks that run red!

According to Wisconsin Statute (I Don't Remember Which One), Tow trucks can have red lights on as long as they are stopped on the side of the road picking up a vehicle. If they are going down the road they have to have amber. In english, no red lights on when moving.

kfr439 · Post by **kfr439** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 1:22 pm

firemedic4 wrote:
What do people think about the led dash lights ?

Everything I have in my 1997 s-10 blazer is LED except for headlight flasher and tail light strobes. I can't say enough about then. Hardly any draw on the battery at all.

007 · Post by **007** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 5:40 pm

kb9tyc wrote:
apco25 wrote:Hell, Wisconsin has tow-trucks that run red!
According to Wisconsin Statute (I Don't Remember Which One), Tow trucks can have red lights on as long as they are stopped on the side of the road picking up a vehicle. If they are going down the road they have to have amber. In english, no red lights on when moving.

The Statute is 347.25 for PD/FD/EMS, etc.

Tow vehicle lighting is under 347.26(6)(a) and (6)(b)

Of note, Highway dept. vehicles are allowed red or amber lights.

Also, just because someone has lights doesn't mean that they will get pulled over. Anyone from Illinois can come north with a billion blue lights, but unless they are violationg a WI law by using them, we aren't going to mess with them. We can't enforce vehicle equipment laws like that on vehicles not kept/registered in WI. If they are passing thru, it's not a problem.

Have fun with the strobe install!

Installing Hideaway Strobes

Installing Hideaway Strobes

strobes

Problem...

Thank You

Is this to much ?

One more question

My states law

Mississippi

me again

Lights

NYS

Strobes Installed

Power Supply

Re: Is this to much ?