humperdingle Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Not many to choose from? Having just got a 4x4, i'm looking at the possibility of making use of some kind of vehicle-mounted lamp which can be controlled from inside the vehicle. I'd really rather not cut a hole in the roof, so any recommendations for best suction type or bolt-on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Remote controlled lamp. Not the best, but it'll meet your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 lightforce with the proper mounting kit, you can try and bodge it but none will work as well especially if you want to lamp on your own. Its not the cheapest setup but is the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 lightforce with the proper mounting kit, you can try and bodge it but none will work as well especially if you want to lamp on your own. Its not the cheapest setup but is the best You mean this: Supporta Light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 ooh that's new isn't it? how much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) ooh that's new isn't it? how much? Can't be cheap. I recall Gary looking at them and I think they're £150+ (Minus the lamp ) Edited March 30, 2010 by harfordwmj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Not many to choose from? Having just got a 4x4, i'm looking at the possibility of making use of some kind of vehicle-mounted lamp which can be controlled from inside the vehicle. I'd really rather not cut a hole in the roof, so any recommendations for best suction type or bolt-on? Not controlled from inside but............ Here`s mine ! Fitted to a Jimny too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Not controlled from inside but............ Here`s mine ! Fitted to a Jimny too Good stuff Some good ideas and contraptions on that thread! Anybody know what size of hole I'd need to drill for a Lightforce T-bar fitting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruxie hill Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Good stuff Some good ideas and contraptions on that thread! Anybody know what size of hole I'd need to drill for a Lightforce T-bar fitting? 52 mm hole saw to drill the hole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax55 Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 have you got a sun roof in your 4x4?? if so make a board out of 3/4 ply to fit in your sun roof and fit your tbar to that. gently close the sun roof a bit to hold in place and bobs your uncle, roof mounted lamp without putting a hole in you roof plus you can keep your window closed should you need to. hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 The old brain cells have been getting a much needed airing... I dug out an old camera tripod which has the usual pan and tilt lever attached. My Lightforce 170 has the scope-mount attachment. Looking at it, I found the attachment is simply bolted-on to the main lamp neck. Undoing this, it was easy enough just to utilise the existing bolt, and screw-on the quick-release camera fitting. This in turn is fixed very easily (With a lever) onto the top of the tripod head, and we have the making of something easily convertible back to scope-mounted when required. The 1st picture shows the lamp mounted on the tripod head. I'll rig up either a suction mount or a roof rail bracket, and use the vertical tripod rod to clamp it on. Total cost so far: Nil, apart from an old tripod To buy: Suction grabber from B&Q, and i'll use some of the old tripod to make a frame. The 2nd picture shows a close-up of the tripod's quick release camera mount, and the removed Lightforce scope mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 2nd picture showing tripod quick release adaptor: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 thats interesting I didn't think the lightforce was the same thread as a camera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 thats interesting I didn't think the lightforce was the same thread as a camera It's not - Very slightly different, But I removed the wee camera bolt, and used the Lightforce bolt that was holding on the scope mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Finished article: All made with stuff I had lying around apart from the suction clamp (the tripod was an old one I bought for a tenner ages ago) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=102952 make you own Humperdingle, a bit time & effort....this one needed no modification at all, works great, & can be adapted to fit any motor, BJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 make you own Humperdingle, a bit time & effort....this one needed no modification at all, works great, & can be adapted to fit any motor, BJ. Cheers... But look at post #15, mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackReady Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Finished article: All made with stuff I had lying around apart from the suction clamp (the tripod was an old one I bought for a tenner ages ago) I hope you have mighty long arms Hump. As you'll have to drive around the whole time holding your arm up with you home made set up. One of the major benefits of the Lightforce roof bar and T handle is your able to rest your elbow on the window cill of the vehicle rather than having to keep your arm held up the whole night in order to control the lamp. Another benefit of the Lightforce rig is you're able to position it well forward of the drivers or lampers seat so you are not having to either reach back or twist your back in order to work the lamp. Both things you'll find to be a real boon after a few hours out in the dark and a major plus factor after an 5 hour lamping session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Cheers... But look at post #15, mate. Yep, seen it....is there no way you can extend the handle, Be a bit of a pain holding your arm up for a time, BJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
provider Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Here,s my attempt with my cluelite. Prov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackReady Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Extending the handle is only half the problem that you need to solve. Once you extend the handle below the top of the door you have to incorporation some kind of tilt mechanism that allows the handle to swing out and upwards, other wise you can't open the door. All of theses problems, irritations, aggregation's have been designed out of the Lightforce roof bar and T handle. Or you can try making up something like this from Cluson.www.cluson.co.uk/productsMain.aspx?CI_ID=289 I been using their lamps for the last 25 years. A much under rated lamp IMO especially their new 2 million candle power Blazer-Lite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackReady Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 (edited) Here,s my attempt with my cluelite. Prov Prov Just a few questions. 1. Have you used the Cluson G clamp on you set up. If you have why didn't you simply purchase their extended handle and mounting bracket. 2.How do you get around the door opening problem with your DIY set up. 3.Have you built in a separate on/off switch as you've got the lamp mounted quite high? Edited April 4, 2010 by JackReady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackReady Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 (edited) Double post Edited April 4, 2010 by JackReady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
provider Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Hi Jack The whole set up is homemade as you can probably tell . The clamp onto the window attachment is from some old bicycle lights that has a ball and socket attachment . The door still opens as the set up is inline with the windscreen. I can reach the switch ok from inside as i have arms like an orangutan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 (edited) Thanks for the feedback, guys... I must be a baboon, because I can reach the handle fine, and manouvre it pretty well without over stretching my arm. Don't forget that this contraption was borne out of: a. Lack of money to spend on any of the fancy Lightforce clamps b. Not really wanting to have a permanent hole in the roof c. Having the metalworking skills of Delia Smith (probably) It remains to be seen as to how effective the set-up is when I actually get out for a lamp, but seems ok at the moment. Ref extending the handle downwards, that's something i'll have a look at if the existing set-up is pants! Edited April 4, 2010 by humperdingle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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