Wanna get me some of them lights. Job well done as always.

 

I made up prototype hood hinge mounts for the LED pods today. The base mounts attach using the hinge screws and hold one LED. There are different base mounts for the JK and the TJ because the hinge bolt patterns are different. They're just on spare hoods in the workshop in these photos, haven't tested them on any Jeeps yet.



For mounting either two or three LEDs to a hinge, there are optional multi-mounting brackets that bolt to the base mount. The multi-brackets mount to either the JK or TJ base mounts shown above. There's a double multi-mount and a triple multi-mount, in this photo there's a double on the JK hinge and a triple on the TJ hinge.



So far, mounting options I've experimented with for 1-3 LED pods include:

• The bracket that comes with them from the factory, which can be secured under many of the 8mm bolts on the JK or TJ Wrangler as shown earlier in the thread.
• The a-pillar mounts showed and tested over the past few days (only JK shown; but could do TJ version also).
• These hood hinge mounts (JK and TJ) and optional multi-mount brackets for 1-3 LED pods.
• The AMPs adapter that allows a light pod to be mounted using a standard 1" ball mount, also shown earlier in the thread.

Probably that's all the custom mounts I'll design for now, unless someone has something else they really think I should do. Unless some other ideas come up, I'll turn these designs over to the company and let them decide which are worth producing. Any input on that would be useful too.

 

These are so bright, could have quick- detach where light snaps off mount, can use on different mounting points , modular plug in harness for each mounting point..
For Camping, night trails, under hood , work light under neath
Having them easily removable means they can be stored in a secure location, safer from thieves, quickly and easily plugged in for different lighting tasks.

 

I think that's where the ball mount comes in, the ball makes it easy to remove the light. About a week ago I posted about a prototype adapter for the AMPs mounting standard and the other day I picked up a simple surface mount for the ball. A few examples of the light with the adapter and a ball mount:



Here's one that could bolt almost anywhere and paired up with an arm like the one above it could be used in many places: RAM Motorcycle Base with 9mm Hole and 1" Ball Unpackaged - RAM-B-272U | RAM Mounts. There must be over a hundred different 1" ball options at the RAM site: Component search for all components - Page 1

This one is interesting, it's a simple ball with a track mount from YakAttack: https://www.yakattack.us/SB1_12_p/sb1-12.htm. Various tracks and other accessories are available: https://www.yakattack.us/by-product-name/geartrac/. I could imagine tracks attached to the sides and back of a roof rack or trailer rack for very flexible campground lighting.

 

One more option for mounting these LEDs.







I also made a similar mount for the TJ.

 

With detachment design in mind. Why not make them portable flashlights at the same time ? (Easier said than done perhaps. But an interesting option when taking in account all the adaptable (emergency) needs/uses.)

 

That's a very interesting idea. Since they run on 12v, key to making that practical would be finding a 12v battery that's a good size and shape to serve as a portable battery for them. Got any battery ideas? A rechargeable battery would be best, and it would be easy to rig up a charging station for it in the Jeep, if not just using a plug into the Jeep's power outlet. If there's a good battery out there maybe I'll make up a prototype.

 

The portable Lithium-Ion "Jump Pack" would lend itself to a voltage source. They are intended for charging/ running all sorts of 12v devices, as well as providing jump starts.
I keep one in my JK for those who might need assistance with a weak battery.

 

A simple electrical project...

I carry my phone in a suction cup holder on the left side of the steering wheel and it's awkward to run a charging cable over to the center of the dash, so I installed a USB outlet on the left side of the dash. Now I can use a very short cable directly between the phone and that outlet.

I also installed a volt meter in the dash next to the USB outlet so I can monitor the electrical system and battery condition. You can't see it well in this photo, but I also installed a submini slide switch above the meter. In the left position, the meter and the USB outlets operate on switched power (when the ignition is on). In the right position, the meter and the outlets operate on direct battery power (fused of course). This enables me to check the battery voltage without any load from the circuits the ignition switch powers, and also lets me use the USB outlet when the Jeep is switch off if I need to. The voltmeter display is much more readable than it looks in this photo, it didn't photograph well.

 

Nice. I imagine the location of the phone is more or less in line with the windshield pillar so it doesn't impede visibility. What mount are you using?

On another note, in your barn door window do you have a defroster? Is so, is there an adhesive you recommend for (re)attaching the wire to the defroster in the window? My stock defroster wire as come undone, and none of my local repair places has an answer, and I imagine the Jeep dealer would say they have to replace the entire window and wiring.

I imagine somewhere in this very long and informative thread there was a discussion of this point, but that's a lot to reread through again.

Thanks, and it's been great fun watching and learning through this thread.