I just had an idea... Maybe throw a deep cycle battery up there with a remote control wiring harness. Essentially a self contained unit! Each light draws about 3amps, so I should probably get a 55ah battery. It's not like they'll be constantly on. I think the most I've had them on, in anyone one day, on my truck was maybe 1/2 hour.

 

NAY

Unless you can get the crossbars OFF and attach the basket to the side rails. That thing is way too high.

 

I agree with iwashmycar. I love the concept but I believe it makes it a bit too tall. But if you like it run with it. I am also trying to figure out how to run the wires for mine without drilling holes.

 

Today I initiated my first field test!

I solved the wiring problem. How? I essentially created a gigantic rechargeable wireless flashlight!

Here are some pics.; yes, everything is crude and needs to be tightened up a bit, but it was FANTASTIC!

My remote switch arrives Friday. It will literally be its own contained unit, no wiring into the vehicle whatsoever. It will be turned on and off by remote.

Each of my lights draws about 3amps, so I bought a 35ah deep cycle battery. 3amps x 4 lights = 12ah, so 35ah would, in theory, give me just under 3 hours of usage. However, since I only use these at night on back roads, I don't think I've had an occasion to use them for any more than maybe 30 minutes continuously, so my usage fits easily within the battery capacity. It keeps the battery small too; it's about half the size of a car battery. I also have to get "quick attach" leads so I can easily plug it into the battery charger when it need to.

As to the height, it's perfectly acceptable for my usage, fits in my garage, and I rarely drive into the city. The height actually makes for an excellent beam throw! I could re-install the lights on the lower bar, but that would be for cosmetics more than anything. The nice thing about this set up is, you can easily remove the whole thing whenever you want.

Enjoy!

 

First set...

 

2nd set...

 

Apologies, the picture upload function seems to be terrible..

 

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I do think the lower bar mounting may help the looks.

 

The more I look at it, the more I think so too!

 

I love the idea and light output is awesome, but I too feel it's a bit tall. Lower front bar of the basket would certainly help!

 

 

I have to try a new browser, many pictures aren't appearing for whatever reason...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, that's a wrap! Self contained off road lighting with no wiring into the interior! Effectively a super large top mounted rechargeable flashlight!