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michaeltag Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: SF East Bay, Northern California
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 11:32 am Post subject: Data on 8" driving lights & radiator efficiency? |
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I think the South African Grille is a great idea for lights but it's kind of expensive by the time you buy all of the high power lights for it.
I thought it better to use the lights that I still have that hardly got used on my old Toyota 4runner before I rolled it back in 98. They are really nice PIAA Super 80 lights with hi and low beams. The low beams have a sharp cutoff with 90watts and the high beams fill the world in front of you with light with 135 watts.
I am thinking of using the GoWesty plate steel front bumper and the Rocky Mountain Westy Grille Guard (that has two light tabs) for mounting them.
My questions is: The radiator is both above and below the confines of the grille guard, but I'm not sure which is the most important half. I can mount the lights by either hanging them (preferred) or perching them on top of the grille guard (less protection for the lights). Should I be concerned about blocking airflow to the radiator if I hang two 8" round lights between the top of the grille guard and the bumper?
Am I over-concerned here? Will either just mean my fan will kick on a bit more often? Anyone done some actual measurements on this? I want a good light installation, but I don't want to cause overheating.
Here is a picture of the grille guard, where someone put small lights on top:
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/546acce7e4b0...rmat=1000w
I am looking at hanging a pair of 8-inch round lights below that tubular grille guard, that would be in front of the lower grille. They would therefore be protected by the grille guard.
I checked with PIAA and they are reversible.
Interested in your thoughts!
Last edited by michaeltag on Thu Oct 29, 2015 11:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 11:38 am Post subject: |
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8" is probably overkill, but I wouldn't worry about blocking the radiator. I've had 6" Hellas in front of my lower grill for about five years, and had no appreciable reduction in cooling efficiency, even with the AC running on 90+ degree days. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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I've got Hella 3000s on my Vanagon and they are backed up tight against the body where they maximally block the air. Not the intention, but if they were farther out, faster air could come around behind them more easily. These lights are among the largest aux lights you can buy, and they've produced no issues despite the long mountain grades and passes that characterize our summer travels. _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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