El-Cheapo strobes

[JSUnlimited]

It amazes me that when this sits next to the road with all of the lights on how many people just don't cut us any slack, they don't slow down, they don't change lanes, etc.

My point, If the size of this truck and the amount of NFPA approved lights don't indicate to a motorist to change lanes or slow down, then I don't think a small utility tractor with one or two little strobes with maybe less than a couple of watts of dischage will alert anyone to do anything.

However, I myself have a collection of surplus emergency warning equipment collected over the years. I have a two outlet weather proof strobe pack with two clear strobe tubes (used to insert into existing housing of vehicle) that I thought I would put on tractor some day...........someone will still run me over.

 

[JSUnlimited]

This might be neat if you wanted to spend the money. It's all LED and the light pattern is selectable.

For time wasting material check out:
Whelen Engineering

 

[cwarrix]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My point, If the size of this truck and the amount of NFPA approved lights don't indicate to a motorist to change lanes or slow down, then I don't think a small utility tractor with one or two little strobes with maybe less than a couple of watts of dischage will alert anyone to do anything.)</font>

OK, forget the lights, how about a 50 cal machine gun on the front and back? That might alert them to slow down. No, wait, there's probably a law against that too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a two outlet weather proof strobe pack with two clear strobe tubes (used to insert into existing housing of vehicle) that I thought I would put on tractor some day...........someone will still run me over.)</font>

Yeah, but at least with all these flashing lights our wives will have a better shot at winning the law suit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JSUnlimited]

cwarrix,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( OK, forget the lights, how about a 50 cal machine gun on the front and back? That might alert them to slow down. No, wait, there's probably a law against that too. )</font>

Yeah, I like that idea!

It just simply amazes me peoples ignorance while driving. I know here in Ohio you'll get ticketed if you don't move a lane over and/or slow down for construction/police/fire/ems with appropriate warning signals activated. ****, people don't even hesitate to drive over fire hoses!

Seriously though, I like the idea of adding additional warning lights. I'm often on or near roadways especially with the BH and you've got a point with the lawsuit deal. Nice project, sorry to highjack the thread, just had to get on my soapbox for a little bit!

 

[cwarrix]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice project, sorry to highjack the thread, just had to get on my soapbox for a little bit!)</font>

Actually JustGary started the thread, I'm just hanging out here waiting to see what he does with his lights, so I can copy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Come on Gary where's the pictures /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Seriously, I was looking at my tractor last night and I can't find a place I want to mount these yet. Guess I need to by a ROPS for my tractor so I can mount them there... honey... I need the checkbook... Wish me luck on that one!

 

[JustGary]

<font color="blue"> "Come on Gary where's the pictures" </font>

Ouch. Didn't Just Gary tell you he thought they would be bigger and only bought one? Baaaad mistake. You won't be impressed with mine.

Thanks for the prompt, though, I need to find those magnets so I can finish the job...

- Just Gary

BTW, hijack away. If it ever becomes important, someone will steer us back on topic.

 

[JustGary]

OK. I finally found a little "free" time. I'm posting this mainly for the use of the hard drive magnets. Not much else is very creative, and I didn't even wire it up yet. Anybody got any spare time? I need more.

I found a piece of 1/4" aluminum, 16 X 3 inches in my scrap pile. It had a short ring welded to the side, so I left it on. I don't know what I'll do with it, but I'm sure it will be important one day.

I had to bore two big holes in the bar so I could use it at the top of my ROPS. The ROPS has two big bolt heads spaced a little over 5" apart. I scratched my head for a while and decided to use the 1 3/8" spade bit that was calling my name. Go ahead and laugh, but this bit is a little better than the basic flat stamped ones. Anyway, with a little oil and predrilling the center hole, it worked just fine. Yes, I used the drill press and clamped the work down.

Next I selected three similar magnets from the small pile I got at work. Lucky for me I bumped into the hard drive party one day, where they had taken apart about thirty computer hard drives. The magnets are very strong, and have mounting holes already drilled on them. Find a few friends with dead hard drives and take them apart. Newer ones pretty much all have similar sized magnets, since they're just a commodity now.

I drilled and tapped the plate for 8-32 screws to hold the magnets. The magnets are only about 1/8" thick. I only had round head machine screws in the bin, so I had to grind the heads lower after I installed them.

Then I bent a piece of 1" aluminum bar to hold the el-cheapo strobe above the lamps. I installed the strobe using its cheap threaded lugs, but decided to not tighten them very much since someone else mentioned that they'll break out of the housing.

Next, I drilled and tapped more 8-32 screws to hold the strobe bracket onto the plate. I didn't have time to find the washers.

Finally, I drilled and tapped 10-24 screw holes for the light brackets. One screw each in the center, so they can rotate. I found the #10 washers with the screws. If any of this stuff vibrates out I'll just locktite it. I can find that faster than the washers...

I bought the lights at the box auto parts store. I know, I got driving lights, but I think the spot will be big enough. If I don't like them, I'll replace them with floods.

Tada! I'll wire it up soon... I already bought the relay and relay holder, so I'll add a bracket next to the fuse panel and use the headlamp wires to close the relay. I'll post another picture when I get that done.

Regards,

Just Gary

 

[JustGary]

Ben showing you the magnets. The three of them hold the bar on quite well. Get it close to the ROPS and it jumps the last inch or so! Keep your fingers clear...

- Just Gary

 

[JustGary]

One more picture. Another view of the top just in case you missed seeing Ben. Note the holes in the bar to fit over the bolts at the top of the ROPS.

- Just Gary

 

[TwinWillows]

The short piece of pipe looks like a flag holder to me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif