Armored cab lights

[FloridaAKM]

Has anybody here tried installing the armored cab light that has been floating around for sale lately? I picked up a box lot of them & there is no female connection to adapt to the plug that comes on the unit. Also, it has a SPST relay wired into it for whatever the original purpose required.

One of the NOS units was opened, so I rewired the lamps to operate thru the exterior control switch. White light is all the way in the locked down position, one click up is off & all the way up is for the polarized light. Everything seems to be not grounded to the frame & the bulbs are rubber shock mounted for longevity reasons (I guess).Also, the relay was left out of the circuit as it served no purpose. Power comes in @ the relay cable entrance that was removed.

The sub base was predrilled, so the lip above the rear window in my Deuce where the hardtop roof joins the lower section was drilled with 1/4" holes & bolted the light tightly to the back roof. A pair of 16 gauge polarized wires were run around the roof lip, out of sight, down into the dash to supply power to the unit. A fuse holder with a 2 amp fuse, protects the + side & the - side is grounded to the frame.

Sorry, no pictures @ this time.

 

[CARNAC]

I know the lights you're talking about. There were some old threads dealing with these that I remembered and they were good threads which is why I'm just going to post them up. Basics are that the plug is for positive. The ground is through the casing of the light and can be achieved at any of the holes for the mounting bolts. Very flexible applications.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?20330-Dome-light-questions&highlight=light

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...ehicle-Interior-Light-Upgrade&highlight=light



Different exterior light thread
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?39754-IR-lights-conversion&highlight=light

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?21985-IR-Driving-Lights-on-a-Deuce&highlight=light

 

[FloridaAKM]

That is them exactly; thanks for posting those links. I tried the search function before posting, but "armored cab lights" brought back no results. Wonder why they painted some of them white? Mine are all NOS still in the wrapping plastic for storage. The original listing price from the manufacturer is totally insane IMHO.

 

[73m819]

When I mounted one in the 819, I broke the locking tab off, this way I can just reach up/behind me and flip the switch lever and NOT have to have my hand just right to press the lock button, I figure I am not running nor plan to run blackout conditions.

 

[m16ty]

I've got a bunch of these lights. I mounted one on the dash of the deuce but I don't like it. On the dash, it doesn't really shine the light where you need it. I may move it to the top bows but then I'll have some holes to fill on the dash.

 

[FloridaAKM]

The dash light seems like it would shine in your eyes too much, I am entertaining the idea of installing one more on the center rib of the roof top if the existing one is not enough light. It seems like lots of guys have these lighting fixtures here.

 

[Storm 51]

I used one as an interior cab light on my M-37. I works great. I've got a couple more for the bed of my truck and one for my trailer. Mine are all blue black out lenses. I'd really like to find red ones, even just the little red lenses to replace the blue ones.

The search continues.....

BTW, what was the original manufacturer's price to the tax payer?

 

[FloridaAKM]

BAE of South Africa had a list price of $2600.00, but the last procurement price to Uncle Sugar was $1800.00 rounded off...go figure.

 

[m16ty]

The dash light seems like it would shine in your eyes too much

Yes.

BAE of South Africa had a list price of $2600.00, but the last procurement price to Uncle Sugar was $1800.00 rounded off...go figure.

Holy smokes!

That rates right up there with the $1,000 toilet seats. There is no way in the world that light would cost that much to build. I'd say that a company that's set up to make them, they'd cost $50 to make at the most.

 

[CARNAC]

Yes.



Holy smokes!

That rates right up there with the $1,000 toilet seats. There is no way in the world that light would cost that much to build. I'd say that a company that's set up to make them, they'd cost $50 to make at the most.

Spoken like a true person that will never work in the government procurement process. LOL.

 

[FloridaAKM]

I work in a procurement process job & the company spends vast amounts of money on equipment. That said, paying that amount of money for the armored light would get me fired in a very short time frame. No, I do not work for the government in any way, shape or form. I would like to work @ a DLA facility part time on the weekends !

 

[runk]

Yep, $50 dollar light, $1750 worth of paperwork - source control documents, inspection reports, structural analysis, transfers, design reviews,...
If it were for one of the NASA projects I work on it it would be the same $50 light, but $175,000 worth of paper !

 

[m16ty]

I need to get in the paperwork business. That seems to be where all the money is.

 

[oddshot]

Does anybody know where these interior light housings can be found?

I did a search and can only find the ones with LEDS.

I'd rather have old surplus stuff with bulbs rather than NOS stuff with LED's ... and a $200.00 price tag.

 

[machinist75]

Carnac has some used ones for sale in the classifieds for $15, just bought one this morning.

 

[FloridaAKM]

I have NOS units still in the wrap, but buy all of Carnac's stock till he runs out, then I'll offer mine for sale.

 

[CARNAC]

I'm out as long as I get the paypal stuff done.

Thanks AKM for letting me sell out---gotta get rid of the vast, vast, vast majority of my junk this spring.

 

[machinist75]

I'm out as long as I get the paypal stuff done.

Thanks AKM for letting me sell out---gotta get rid of the vast, vast, vast majority of my junk this spring.

Did you get my PayPal payment?

 

[oddshot]

Dang ... I was searching in Parts ... I never thought to look in Tools & Misc.

CARNAC ... 3 for me. PM on the way

 

[CARNAC]

Mike, yours are wrapped and heading for the post office within the hour.

Ted, sent a PM. I'm out. Waiting on payment on the very last package. Rest went locally.