LED DOCKING LITES

[boxcarOkie]

One of my ongoing projects or goals with Daddy's Hobby is the process of updating the lighting and switching over to LED's.  I recently came across some pretty trick backup lights for heavy truck application and thought to myself "those would make some nice docking lights."  The lights are distributed by United Pacific, which is what a lot of my stuff is.  I bought four of them from Eagle Interior Accents in Okie City and today I installed them in the bus.  

 

Removing them from the housing is the first order of business.  They will not fit the opening on the Eagle with the chrome bezels.  After you get them out of the box and remove all the unnecessary nomenclature you have to "trim them to fit" which isn't really all that hard to do.  You will need a dremel tool, some small cutting disc's and some patience.

The Eagle has two wires to feed the docking lights (black & green).  This is because they used a 1156 incandescent bulb and double wired it for brightness.  The beauty of LED's is that they do not require all this voltage and you can just wire straight up to one wire as they draw mili-amps.

 

Once you get the lens covers off, take a pair of water pumps and gently break off the pig tail, they come out fairly easy as they are just pop riveted onto the housing.  Take a hammer and a pretty good sized screwdriver and "level out the opening" so the new LED's will sit flat inside the housing.

They fit up nicely and make a nice addition to the coach, which is now 100% LED except for the instrument lights in the dash.

 

Lit up as show here, they put out a good amount of light, and you can run them all night long if you want to, as they don't demand a lot of current to keep them going.  From start to finish, about a two hour job all together.  So here is something for all you bus-type overachievers who have nothing to do this weekend, except play with the babies' mama (and you know that aint gonna happen).

Led Docking Lites for your Eagle.  If you want some of them, call Randy Smith, Eagle Interior Accents, 405-495-1899 he will fix you right up.

See You In The Fast Lane

Don Smith
aka:BCO

[luvrbus]

Got my doubts on that setup for docking lites Don but you should be able to see the neighbors good lol 


good luck

[boxcarOkie]

Got my doubts on that setup for docking lites Don but you should be able to see the neighbors good lol 


good luck

Hey that is pretty good coming from you Cliff, I know you are not a big fan of LED's.  By the way, they have them out now that shine to the front, rear and straight out.  I am going to use these as a parking lite application I believe, I can not use them as "docking lights" because it aint no boat. 

Wonder where they ever came up with thet? (Okie Talk)

Take Care, thanks for your reply.

Don Smith
aka:BCO

[wal1809]

I love the lights!!!  I was thinking on doing the water proof strips under the bus shining straight down towards the outer edges.  That would light up all the way around the bus.

[luvrbus]

He has that also Wayne Don has stock in the LED manufactures lol

[JohnEd]

In stopping anywhere, a high light environment discourages mischief.  Just like in your neighborhood.  The placement of these with their high dispersion and elevation would be excellent for night lighting.  And anyone approaching after dark will be blind to what is going on inside....Like that cop's flashlight in your eyes.

I like those docking lights like you see on the hi-lines that are recessed and point back at a 45% or so angle.  Nifty.  They don't cast much light straight out to the side, neighbors, but that isn't their purpose.  Another shortcoming is that they don't do much to illuminate branches or other high interference such as roof corners.

I suggest those of you that haven't done this yet consider using common high dispersion "work lights".  I used small sealed beam sealed beam halogen for a really bright light.  Most importantly, I mounted them high up in the back and on the roof edge pointing rearward.  I think the high mounting is the most important aspect.  Just an aside.....they don't blind anyone that is "walking you in and spotting".  They didn't have LEDs when I did this.

I would go with BCO's LEDs in heartbeat.  I got them all over and they are superb.  I shop at Superbright and I can get common bulb replacement in "hugely" more powerful light output than incandescent and it's my choice.  I use commonly available fixtures that are much cheaper than those used by BCO.  Had I the cash, I would probably follow his lead.  My lights are not flush to anything so they are a standout and, to some, would be an eyesore. Having thought it up and worked to install it, I think they are pretty.  I know I am alone it that.

You'ns guys can do it any which-a way you'ns likes.  Pa talk.

PS  BCO, You aren't the only one that writes with an accent.

John

[baldeaglewy]

I think I have heard..."RUMOR HAS IT" .... that BCO likes to pull into bus gatherings after dark ...just so he can show off all his LED's.  Now exactly HOW MANY do you currently have installed on dat dare eagle??? 
Just counting them should keep you busy for an hour or so...

Bern

[boxcarOkie]

I think I have heard..."RUMOR HAS IT" .... that BCO likes to pull into bus gatherings after dark ...just so he can show off all his LED's.  Now exactly HOW MANY do you currently have installed on dat dare eagle??? 
Just counting them should keep you busy for an hour or so...

Bern

Hey I resemble that!  We were tardy arriving at TBR (Texas Bus Rally ... that was held in Oklahoma!) and we didn't get there till way past dark, but I can assure you, we did not lay out on purpose. 

Sonny of Pottsboro fame started that, it is loosely based in supposition and not fact.

Now the rumor about me being too good looking for my height?  That is true.  (The reason I know this for sure is I am the one spreading that one)  The exact number of LED's on Daddy's Hobby is a well kept secret, kind of like the recipe for Coke ... We cannot say at this time.

BCO

[boxcarOkie]

I love the lights!!!  I was thinking on doing the water proof strips under the bus shining straight down towards the outer edges.  That would light up all the way around the bus.

Thanks we appreciate it.

BCO

[boxcarOkie]

He has that also Wayne Don has stock in the LED manufactures lol

Wait till you see the car hauler Paul, it is going the same route.

BCO

[boxcarOkie]

In stopping anywhere, a high light environment discourages mischief.  Just like in your neighborhood.  The placement of these with their high dispersion and elevation would be excellent for night lighting.  And anyone approaching after dark will be blind to what is going on inside....Like that cop's flashlight in your eyes.

I like those docking lights like you see on the hi-lines that are recessed and point back at a 45% or so angle.  Nifty.  They don't cast much light straight out to the side, neighbors, but that isn't their purpose.  Another shortcoming is that they don't do much to illuminate branches or other high interference such as roof corners.

I suggest those of you that haven't done this yet consider using common high dispersion "work lights".  I used small sealed beam sealed beam halogen for a really bright light.  Most importantly, I mounted them high up in the back and on the roof edge pointing rearward.  I think the high mounting is the most important aspect.  Just an aside.....they don't blind anyone that is "walking you in and spotting".  They didn't have LEDs when I did this.

I would go with BCO's LEDs in heartbeat.  I got them all over and they are superb.  I shop at Superbright and I can get common bulb replacement in "hugely" more powerful light output than incandescent and it's my choice.  I use commonly available fixtures that are much cheaper than those used by BCO.  Had I the cash, I would probably follow his lead.  My lights are not flush to anything so they are a standout and, to some, would be an eyesore. Having thought it up and worked to install it, I think they are pretty.  I know I am alone it that.

You'ns guys can do it any which-a way you'ns likes.  Pa talk.

PS  BCO, You aren't the only one that writes with an accent.

John

Writin' with an accent takes years of edumaycayshun and discipline.  Eh?

BCO

[Lin]

Aren't there some laws regarding extra, particularly backward facing lights?  I seem to remember a thread on the subject.

[JohnEd]

Aren't there some laws regarding extra, particularly backward facing lights?  I seem to remember a thread on the subject.

i would be surprised if there weren't.  My back up lights have been on a switch since I installed them.  They probably want the side lights only usable when the trans is in park.

I have seen lots of trucks going down the road with really bright lights lit that are attached up high on the truck rear.  I understand they are "docking" lights and are used when hooking up the air lines, servicing the AC unit and working on the fifth wheel and such.  They must be on a switch cause I'll tell ya true a semi cannot go down the road 60 MPH with the trans in "reverse".

John

[boxcarOkie]

Aren't there some laws regarding extra, particularly backward facing lights?  I seem to remember a thread on the subject.

[/b]

Most likely there is, there is a law for just about anything these days.  I have rear facing backup lights on my back bumper, but they are tied into a toggle on my instrument panel, and I only use them for backing up at night or when I am putting it in the shop. (all the rear facing tail lights are LED backup also, they come on when it is in reverse, separate of the two below mounted on the rear bumper)

From time to time, if a trucker clears me during daylight hours I will briefly flash them to say "thanks" but that is the extent of it.  I think I read something last year that the D.O.T. had put into effect new rules for truckers concerning the "flashing of lights" and all that, seems that they think that the practice is dangerous and now therefore ... Illegal (at least for a trucker it is).  

Now every now and then, I see one (truck) running with "red markers" on the front, and I know that is against the law, but they seem to get away with it.  Nothing red is supposed to be displayed to the front of a vech. as I understand it, but they do it all the time.  As far as I know, in my state, there isn't a law prohibiting aux. backup's, but there might be some kind of guideline in place for the proper use of the lights per say.

I am keeping mine.

BCO

[Oonrahnjay]

Oke, that view of the bus makes a statement. I'm not sure what it is but it sure is a statement.