Options for H4 dual beam driving lights and is anyone using Piaa 525?

[Chipstien]

While I sit here and wait for my Buckstop bumper to get built I have been trying to decide what 6" lights to buy. I have decided that I definately want a H-4 dual beam style light. Just so happens that the Piaa 525 series is exactly what I am looking for. If anyone is running these, what do you think? What other brands are availiable that utilize a H4 bulb and are 6" in diameter? What is the best price for a set of Piaa 525 and where can I get them? Same goes for any other that may be availiable. So far it seems that http://www.central4wd.com has the best price coupled with free shipping and of course..... no tax. What do ya think?

 

[WM-300]

I bought PIAA 520's

I bought the PIAA 520 drivinbg lights with the 85 watt bulbs. I am not to impressed. I expected to have some nice well focused

distant lights, way beyond my high beams. I find them to to light up much further thank my regular high beams. The light color is yellow, not bright white or blue white. I am not sure how well that color is going too work. The lights project a fan shape pattern. My testing has been done off truck down my 1/2 mile long straight drive way. And when I mount them in my new buckstop (also being built) they will be lower and thus even less range. Like I said, I am not impressed at all. I talked with PIAA and they told me the yellow is best for poor conditions. Heck, for driving lights I think good conditions but black dark. If I wanted fog light it would be different. PIAA did give me the lens number for white light, 2 lens are expensive



Paul

 

[y-knot]

So while you are waiting for the Buckstop, your thinking of lights? Good job. I was in your shoes a few months ago, know the felling. I went with the 525's for the front and the 510's for the rear, they fit fine and look great. I liked the 525's for there unique look, and because they are so new not many have them. They have a dual lamp, driving and fog. but the cool thing they have that no other light has is the LED's that back light the fixture, and give it a glowing presence. Some might not like it, but so far everyone that has seen them loves them. I wired the LED's to come on any time the parking lights are on, and it looks awsome at night. I am pleased with the light they put out, and I like having the chose of driving or fog. The rears are more then enough for back-up lights, I mainly use them for trailer hook ups at night.

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This is the 525's at night, not the best picture but I tried.



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[Chipstien]

Y-knot, how bright are the 525's? What is the beam pattern like on low... ... on high? I already have the 510's for when I buy the rear bumper but I can't afford that right now.

 

[y-knot]

On high the pattern is driving lights, far out in front and very bright. In the low position they are more fog, with the light pattern close and wide so the edges of the road are illuminated.

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by y-knot

On high the pattern is driving lights, far out in front and very bright. In the low position they are more fog, with the light pattern close and wide so the edges of the road are illuminated.

One last question..... do people flash their lights when they are on low? How about high? Sounds like a great set of lights, thanks.

 

[mgonske]

I'm glad you guys got this thread going--I've been thinking about lights in anticipation of my Buckstops, too.



I want to keep a fog option, but I really want a good set of driving lights to fill in that big dark hole in the far-center portion of the 3rd gen's high-beam pattern.



I asked Dorian to go ahead and include the Hella 500 fog lights for $80, and have been looking for a good set of driving lights to mount on top of the bumper (and just last night I realized I have a set of big, honkin' 8" 130W IPF lights sitting on a shelf in the garage, that I won as a doorprize at All-4-Fun back in '99).



In searching for driving lights, I found an IPF dual beam model that looked pretty cool, the J01, but I've always liked PIAA (I used to have Pro-90s). A dual-beam 6" light mounted in the bumper that satisfies both requirements would be way cool--if it really has good patterns for both beams.



y-knot, are you really happy with the light patterns? Do they compare favorably with other purpose-built lights you've used? I hate to spend that kind of money just to experiment...



I hadn't even gotten around to thinking about back-up lights yet--are those 4" holes in the rear? How easily did the 510s mount?

 

[Chipstien]

The 510's should be a drop in fit however honestly, I would not spend that much for a set of lights that are only used for backing up. I will be using 510's if and when I get the rear BUT... . I already have them from the factory locations in the stock bumper so I am not out anything. Seems what really works well are a set of 4" rubber encase lights off of a forklift. I actually have a set that I picked up for $10. 00 each. Then all you would need to do is make up a harness with a relay.



I also looked at the IPF Dual setup but felt that for the 20. 00 more that the Piaas run, you are getting a much larger reflector area for the fog so it seemed money well spent. And you can always install a larger wattage bulb if you want more light too.



BTW, for those running the backup lights... ... did you tap off the trailer harness for your constant? If not then where?

 

[Seed Guy]

i have 510s (driving beam) up front in the factory fog locations and love driving with them. I cant really drive fast enough in the truck to outdrive the light i have even on the darkest wettest nights here in the northwest. If i turn them on in the snow i really lights up the area.

 

[y-knot]

I suppose the amount of lighting that everyone wants and or needs is determined by there individual situation.

First... . a DRIVING light is a finely focused beam of light that is aimed well out in front of the vehicle, it is designed to illuminate objects far off in the horizon. It is used for high speed driving or in off-road situations when maximum illumination is required. No DRIVING light should be used where on-coming traffic may be affected. You can wire it to come on and off with your high beams or operate manually, but they must dim when on coming traffic is spotted.

Fog lights are designed to illuminate close to the vehicle and on each side. They provide good close illumination and allow the driver to see more of both the right and left shoulders of the road or pathway. These may or may not be allowed to remain on while passing on coming traffic, you should consult your local department of transportation for specifics.



Yes I am very pleased with the 525's. They are what I expected and perform as stated by Piaa. You can adjust how far out the lights will reach, they are very high intensity lamps, and will easily light up 1/4 mile out on high or driving light.

The 510's work very well in the rear, they do put out alot of light, but that is also why I put them there. I have absolutely no problem with them, I can see where I am backing without problem. I can also see to hook up to a trailer at night, and I can also make you get off my tailgate while driving at night.

All lights are expensive, I have bought many different brands of lights, but have not found one better the Piaa. The wiring harnesses are great, and the light will perform the same in three years as they do today. You do get what you pay for.

I do not think it is a good ideal to mount any lights on top of the Buckstop bumpers. There are several reasons

1. It does not look good. Why go to the trouble of "FRENCHING"

the lights, and then do a surface mount?

2. The bumper already sticks out a little in front which makes

routine service a little harder. Putting lights on the front

will only make that service more difficult.

3. The light will be very vulnerable to damage and theft.



The 525's may seem high, but you are getting two lights in one package. Also you get the unusual look of the LED glow.



In the past I have had problems with lights rusting, vibrating and pieces falling out, lamps that constantly burn out, water getting in the assembly and corroding the lamp socket, ect.

Besides the Piaas the best light to date was the Pro Comp stainless steel 5" driving lights.

 

[mgonske]

Thanks, y-knot, sounds like you understand my concerns, and like the 525 is the right light for me up front. The 3rd gen high beams do a great job of spreading light to the sides way out front, but seem to have a dark spot right in the center--a good driving (or maybe even pencil beam) light is exactly what is needed to supplement them. I concur about PIAA's quality--I was impressed from the day I installed the 90Pros, just by how solidly they mounted.



OTOH, a tractor light is probably quite adequate in the rear.



One last question--can the two light functions be independently aimed? (they could on the 90Pros)

 

[Chipstien]

No they cannot be individualy aimed. They work like a headlight but much, much better. Can't wait to get mine.

 

[y-knot]

The 525's are just like chip said, they can not be adjusted independently. You would need to adjust the lights in the high or driving light position, it that was the main infuses.

Next project for me will be the installation of several LED marker and turning signal lights in the Buckstopp bumper, I have ordered the LED's and there mounts, just wait for the warm weather to install. Also will be installing a strobe light kit then as well.

 

[Chipstien]

Sounds sweet.

 

[CFAR]

Which one do you guys have??

How do they perform??



525 SERIES Available In



Clear High and Plasma Ion Low beam with Blue Reflector



or



Plasma Ion High and Low beam



Bulb Type 12V - H4 60/55watt=110/100watt XTRA Twin beam

or

12V - H4 60/55watt-110/100watt XTRA Clear with yellow top,



both have a 12V - White LED



Features Black or chrome plated stamped steel housing, and glass lens

Kit Includes Two lamps, wiring harness, relay, switch, and two black mesh style lens covers



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[BGiles]

WARN SDB-160 Dual Beam??

Is anybody using WARN SDB-160 Dual Beam lights. How do they compare against PIAA 525.



SDB-160 100,000 CANDLEPOWER DRIVING/SPOT LIGHTS

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The SDB-160HB uses a free curve reflector. A Free Curve reflector is very efficient because it uses the whole reflector. This allows the spot beam to illuminate approximately 235 meters ahead and the driving beam to illuminate the entire surface in front of the vehicle.



The SDB-160HB has an internal light frame to protect the lamp from vibration and shock when running off-road, plus an impact resistant polycarbonate body protects the exterior. Heat and weather resistant EPT material helps protects lamp integrity.

The lens of the SDB-160HB is protected by a stone guard in a "V"-shape to let air cool the lens surface, allowing extended operation of the lamp. Hardened glass lens has excellent heat and thermal shock resistance, strength and translucency.



Easily adjustable illumination angle to 15° up or down. Dual beam control switch includes relay control feature and LED illumination when lamps are in use



SPECIFICATIONS/PART NUMBER

• Part Number: 37606
  
• Model: SDB-160HB
  
• Bulb: H4
  
• Rating: 12V 100/90-Watt
  
• Maximum Brightness: 100,000CD
  
• Spot Beam: 770'/235m
  
• Driving Beam: 410'/125m
  
• Beam Color: White
  
• Lens Diameter: 5-1/4"/134mm
  
• Attachment Bolt Dimensions: 13/32"/10mm
  
• Switch: 1 (12V/24V)
  
• Relays: 2
  
• Harness: 1 (H4 TYPE)
  
• Cord Clamps: 4
  
• Relay Locating Clamp: 1
  
• U-clip: 4
  
• Clip Tape: 4
  
• Self-Tapping Screw/Washer: 2
  
• Switch Locating Double-Sided Tape: 1
  

Brian

 

[y-knot]

Who knows???? Why don't you step up and see for yourself?? Then you can tell us.

 

[brillmtb]

Are there any dual fog/driving lights from PIAA that would fit in the 03 fog location. I was thinking of replacing these and going with a driving/fog combo if I can find them. Can the 525 be mounted there?

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by brillmtb

Are there any dual fog/driving lights from PIAA that would fit in the 03 fog location. I was thinking of replacing these and going with a driving/fog combo if I can find them. Can the 525 be mounted there?

I would suspect that the factory lights are 4 inches in diameter. If that is the case then your only option is the 510's. But they are not fog and driving both. What I would do is buy the 510's with the fog lens and then buy the clear lens separately. That way you would run the fog in the fall and winter and switch to the clear in the spring and summer. It is really your only option unless you go with lights mounted, say under the bumper.

 

[hammersley]

Well I'm planning on having both the PIAA 525's in My Buckstop and the Warn SDB-210 200,000 CANDLEPOWER DRIVING/SPOT LIGHTS. I had Buckstop provide two mounting holes in the top of the bumper for the lights. Heck I'm getting older - 56 - and I have a hrad time seeing at night driving in the rain etc. I want to be able to see.



http://www.warn.com/truck/lights/sdb_210.shtml