Rear auxiliary lighting idea...

[DaktariEd]

OK...I was given this light as a gift:

http://www.geocities.com/daktaried/DSC03536340.jpg

Originally I had planned to mount it permanently to the rear roof of my FJ40, with wiring passed through the roof to an inside battery/power source.

So now I am thinking of a way NOT to have to punch a hole through the roof.
What about attaching the base of the light to a rare earth magnet, and placing one magnet inside and the magnet mounted light on the outside? A power cord would then run in through the rear vent window.

It should be fairly simple to take on & off when moving.

How about the mounting the light to the magnet? Epoxy? A small recessed screw or bolt?

Any drawbacks I haven't considered?

Ed

[bigreen505]

That sounds like a very cool idea. My gut feeling is screw and glue the light into the magnet. You may have to experiment with size though, a RE magnet big enough to mount both ears of the light to would be too strong to get off.

[articulate]

With the magnet, you'll be like Starsky and Hutch! Tossing a light up on the roof as you slide around a corner in hot pursuit. Use your CB just for fun, too: HQ, Come in HQ. Yeah I need back up for my BACK UP, pronto!

If childish games don't interest you, well, there goes another one of my best ideas...

On a useful note, epoxy with the rare earth magnet will do the job perfectly well. It's not necessary to use a screw as well.

Mark

[ZooJunkie]

If you have dead HDDs laying around, their magnets are EXTREMELY powerful. Plus on the non-magnetic side are usually screw holes for their screws. Get some old junked HDDs and dismantle it for their really nice magnets. You can mount them to your lights no problem by drilling holes for the screw. I hope you won't be driving with these lights on the roof Hutch. Or would you like to be called Starsky? :elkgrin:

[Desertdude]

a large suction cup could also work for you

[DaktariEd]

a large suction cup could also work for you

A suction cup? A suction cup?
Aw, man! That's just not cool...like a magnet mount!

:sombrero:

[DaktariEd]

If you have dead HDDs laying around,
Ummm...excuse me...ahem...

I am a Macintosh-man

I have NEVER had a dead HDD....:wings:

Thank you...

:sombrero:

[ZooJunkie]

ROFL. Sorry what?


Regardless of Mac or PC, there will ALWAYS be dead HDDs. :(

I think you were kidding in your post? No?

Seriously, go salvage some dead HDDs and get them magnets out.

[+ d]

I actually have a stack of hard drive magnets, not because i am a PC man but because there is a local surplus place that sells them. They are handy for stuff like this because they are already bonded to a steel plate that one can drill into. If you want you can PM me your info and I'll mail you some.

Another option is http://www.amazingmagnets.com I've bought neodymium magnets from them on many occasions. I think they have a couple of magnets that have a counter bore in them, which would allow a screw to recess quite nicely.

[+ d]

Also with neodymium magnets (like the hard drive type) you would not need to put a magnet on both sides of the sheet metal...the main concern will be putting the light down on the roof in a controlled fashion, and not letting the force yank the light against the metal resulting in a dent!

[Scott Brady]

Ed,

I have a light like that mounted just below the HT on my Jeep. Keeps it out of the way and works great for a back-up and camp light.

Oh, and I have the same light on my Tacoma. They are great :)

[60seriesguy]

Dunno if you ever run *without* a hard top, but another possible solution would be a section of tubing that came up, either from your tire carrier or your rear bumper. I've seen numerous different versions of this, some even telescoping to give you better reach. Think about it, you could get better mobility (rotation in addition to pivoting) and make it a more permanent solution.

[DaktariEd]

Good ideas...thanks...:)

The roof appears to be fiberglass...that's why I need a magnet on both sides.

+ d, I sent you a PM...

60seriesguy, the idea for telescoping mount is another option I considered, but I may be replacing my rear bumper sometime soon and will possibly incorporate that into the plan. Right now I was looking for a nice mobile fix so I can actually use the light. It's been sitting in the shop since Christmas.

Another plus to the magnet mount is that I can move it anywhere around the outside of the vehicle as a worklight as circumstances require.

[Desertdude]

A suction cup? A suction cup?
Aw, man! That's just not cool...like a magnet mount!

:sombrero:

Ed we use them for video all the time - you can't stick a light on glass with a magnet :)

[DaktariEd]

Ed we use them for video all the time - you can't stick a light on glass with a magnet :)

Actually, yes, I do think the suction cup idea would work...just funnin' ya!
And it is still in the running for possible solutions.

Thanks for the idea...
:)

[Gear]

Here is the suction cup setup I am using on a Hella FF light. Same as you I had my FF light just sitting in the garage and one day I pulled out my video camera suction cup mount and thought I should try putting them together. Well it works Awesome. I like that I can move the light to just about anywhere, Jeep, trailer, and someone elses flat tire fix at night. It will stick to the windows, doors, hood, you name it. Plus with the swivel head you can make fine adjustments to the location of light. All I did was add a 12v power plug from Radio Shack and extended the lines. Here are a couple of photographs.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d733b3127cce8c9d3e6c0ec800000015108EatWzFu0cO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d733b3127cce8c9d3e358fa100000015108EatWzFu0cO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d733b3127cce8c9d4d314e3400000016108EatWzFu0cO

Enjoy!

[DaktariEd]

I have not yet found a strong enough magnet for the base...
I tried dual suction cups last night...each 3" in dia. No dice. They wouldn't stick more than 5 seconds or so.
Back to the drawing board...
:(
Ed

[Gear]

Here is a link to the mount I have. Although I do not recall paying this much for it. Mine is the first one, the single suction cup mount. If you look closely it has a push button in the middle of the suction cup with a swing over latch. This latch is what creates the constant suction.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/speedprod15b.htm

[+ d]

bummer the magnets didn't work out. some suction cup options here too...

from china (http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=suction+cup)

from germany (http://www.anver.com/document/vacuum%20handcups/hndcup-manual.htm)

(I have a pair of the veribor vacuum cup lifters (602.4) surprisingly handy to have around the house, used them for hanging a door, awkward table saw cuts, etc)

[Desertdude]

Ed as a doctor you would know - its all about the suction :jump:

that there is funny no matter who you are :elkgrin:

finding just the right one with the right amount will be the trick - looks like you have some good info above :wavey:

[flyingwil]

Ed-
I would have the Master Fabricator Jake Fab you up a bracket to come off your rear tire holder. I am assuming you are trying to keep the light up high to clear the A.T. I bet he can come up with a great solution. If it is on a hard mount the chances of loosing it on a low tree decreases, and also decreases theft possibilities.

I would shoot to keep it just above the hinge on the drivers side rear door, which would be just above your tire cover, making it also appealing to the eye.

What do you think... good or bad idea?

[DaktariEd]

Actually until I do a complete rear bumper mod or replacement I want the light to be mobile.

I still have to try some great magnets I just got from + d .:wings:

If that fails then I'll scout out some other suction cups...the first set I tried didn't work.

Onward!

:)