LED-bars for off-road – how to choose, fit and use according to the regulations?

What to look out for when buying new LED-bars?

Choosing a good LED-bar for off-road is, contrary to appearances, not so obvious. There are at least a few issues that you should or should pay attention to when buying this type of lighting. The first thing we should pay attention to is the issues related to the light itself. It is worth emphasising at this point that it is not the wattage that is crucial, but the real luminous efficiency (luminous flux). This is primarily influenced by the light sources used (LEDs), so it is worth checking whether the LEDs used are branded solutions from reputable manufacturers, guaranteeing efficiency and reliability in all conditions, or perhaps the cheapest available on the market.

Before purchasing this type of lighting, it is worth considering what its intended use will be. If the main task is to illuminate, for example, the roadside and the nearest area (short range), we should lean towards lamps equipped with a flood type reflector, where the light beam is dispersed. At the other extreme we have spot type lamps, whose task is to shine far but narrow. In such lamps, where long range is most important, the reflector is designed so that the light beam is as focused as possible.

Among off-road vehicle users, the most popular and practical type of lamp has for years remained those fitted with a combo reflector, which, as the name suggests, is a compromise solution combining the two above-mentioned variants. This allows us to illuminate both the area around the vehicle and far in front of the car.

When choosing the right accessory lighting, one should not forget about the quality of workmanship, which consists of several elements. For starters, it is worth checking the IP rating - the higher the number, the better. The most common are IP67 (resistance to dust and brief immersion in water - minimum) and IP68/IP69K, i.e. full water resistance, including pressure washer resistance (optimal). It is also worth looking at the material of the housing (whether it is aluminium or just an aluminium-like product), whether the glass is toughened and scratch-resistant, and whether the lamp itself has rubber seals.

Finally, it is a good idea to consider where the lamps will be used, as this raises the issue of approval - but more on that later in the article.

Principles of mounting and selecting LED-bars for an off-road vehicle. What to look out for, where to mount?

Fitting LED-bars to an off-road vehicle is not only a question of appearance, but also of efficiency, safety and legality. But from the outset.

When selecting and fitting LED-bars to your vehicle, first of all you need to consider the purpose and what you need this type of lighting for, as this will determine what type of lamp(s) you are looking for. If the vehicle is mainly driven off-road, the lamps that provide a long range of light, as mentioned earlier, and therefore those equipped with a spot or combo reflector, will work best. However, if the vehicle is used in difficult, hilly and wooded terrain, it is definitely better to choose lamps with a flood reflector.

It is worth approaching the subject holistically - as a lighting system - because a lamp on the front of the vehicle alone is often not enough. An effective system should also include lights mounted at the rear or sides of the vehicle.

Depending on the intended use, there are a few of the most popular places to mount accessory car lighting, each with its own pros and cons. One of the most common places for mounting accessory lighting is on the front bumper. This is where all flood/spot/combo lights will work because of the low reflection of the light, but the problem is the limited space and the ease with which they can be soiled by mud, for example. Another popular location is on the roof (rails), which, thanks to its high position, allows a long range (spot type lamps), although care must be taken with the possibility of light reflecting off the bonnet if positioned imprecisely. Very often LED-bars are also mounted on the grill or bonnet - which seems to be a compromise between the previously mentioned mounting locations. In addition to the front of the car, owners of off-road vehicles often also use the sides of the car (proving useful as a light for illuminating roadsides, e.g. on narrow trails) and the rear, making manoeuvres such as reversing in difficult conditions much easier.

Taking the subject of auxiliary lamps a little further, it is worth looking at lamps that have been designed to minimise the risk of mechanical damage as much as possible. These include low-profile (slim) lights and those that are designed to be recessed into the bumper, for example, so that they do not protrude beyond the contours of the vehicle.

LED-bar straight or curved? What are the differences in use and installation?

Choosing a straight or curved LED-bar is not just a question of appearance. Before buying, it is important to consider what the intended use will be and which variant will be more suitable for a particular application. This is due to the fact that each has slightly different characteristics and therefore also different applications. The choice between straight and curved LED-bar depends primarily on the desired lighting effect and the available installation space.

A straight LED-bar is characterised by a more focused light beam, which translates into a greater range. This means a more precise light output (less light is wasted). The curved version, due to its design, offers a much wider angle of illumination - up to 160 degrees - which translates into a shorter range compared to the straight version, but illuminates the sides and sidewalls much better. The light is less precise with this LED-bar variant, but it performs better in extreme conditions such as fog (the light reflects less). Finally, it is worth mentioning that the installation of curved LED-bars can be a little more difficult - fitting them to the vehicle line may require additional dedicated brackets.

Resistance to vibration and water - is it defined in any way?

Resistance to harsh atmospheric conditions, such as rain (water) or dust, is precisely defined by means of international standards. This is a very important issue, especially with regard to LED lights, including LED-bars. The most common class of protection for an electrical device (e.g. lamp, reflector, housing) against the ingress of solids and liquids - i.e. dust, dust, water - is the IEC 60529 standard, denoted as IPxx.

The first digit indicates protection against solids (e.g. dust), the second digit against liquids (e.g. water). Here are examples of the designations:

IP code / Protection against dust /  Protection against water / What it means in practice

• IP65 / Total protection /  Water sprays from all sides /  Light off-road, rain
• IP67 / Total protection / Immersion in water (up to 1 m, 30 min) / Wading, car washing
• IP68 / Total protection / Long immersion / under pressure / Heavy off-road, mud
• IP69K / Total protection/ Water under high pressure and temperature / Pressure washer

For LED-bars, IP67 and IP68 are the most common protection classes - these provide complete protection against dust and immersion in water.

Vibration resistance is another matter - there is no single, worldwide standard, as there is for IP. However, a few things are worth noting:

• The housing should be cast rather than glued, preferably 6063-T5/T6 aluminium.
• Solid fixings, rubber washers and stainless steel screws are a must.
• The seals used should be rubber or silicone to ensure resistance to the elements.

Is off-road lighting approved for road use?

Not all off-road lighting can be legally used on public roads. Off-road-only models usually do not have road homologation and therefore should not be used off-trail.

If you want to use the lights also legally on public roads (within the EU), look for driving lights with the appropriate approvals - such as ECE R112 or ECE R149. It is also worth paying attention to whether the lamp meets the ECE R10 standard, the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) regulation.

Another type of road-legal lamp is the so-called reverse lights (reversing lamps). In this case, look for lamps that comply with ECE R23 or ECE R148 standards.

Are additional power sources required, such as an additional battery or alternator (as in the case of winches)?

Modern LED lamps do not require an additional power source. They consume significantly less current than traditional halogen lamps and can therefore be powered directly from the vehicle's installation. They are optimised for energy efficiency and suitable for 12-24V installations, with some working models up to 48V.

However, in situations where there are a number of energy-consuming devices operating in the vehicle (e.g. winch, fridge, radio station), it is worth considering fitting an additional battery or a more powerful alternator to ensure the stability of the entire electrical system.