C4 Strobe Lights
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
C4 Strobe Lights
I see that some C5 guys have strobe lights, but I was wondering if any C4 guys have installed strobes? It would be cool to have for shows, Corvette runs, etc....
I was also wondering if you can use the power supply in the center console to power strobes? I know the Corvette book that came with the car says you can use it to power electronics, but it also says something such as adding extra electronics to your car can damage/affect you cars normal operating. Is it bad to add something that draws from this power source?
Thanks!!!!
I was also wondering if you can use the power supply in the center console to power strobes? I know the Corvette book that came with the car says you can use it to power electronics, but it also says something such as adding extra electronics to your car can damage/affect you cars normal operating. Is it bad to add something that draws from this power source?
Thanks!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: New Albany Mississippi
I will tell you this little story and let you decide. I had strobes on an 2000 impala that I once had, and sold it after I fried the computer 3 times, every time I turn the strobes on and accelerate the computer would fry and it cost me a tow bill and 90$ a pop from a local junk yard for a computer, and a lot of I.O.U.'s to a good friend that worked at a chevy dealership.
I thought about the strobes on the vette when I got it, but when I seen the computer was a twin that the impala had...... I filed a restrianing order against any extra electronic toys getting near the vette.
I did run the strobes (Whelen 6 outlet supply) for about a year before they started making the car brain dead...... I just wouldn't ever do it again.
I thought about the strobes on the vette when I got it, but when I seen the computer was a twin that the impala had...... I filed a restrianing order against any extra electronic toys getting near the vette.
I did run the strobes (Whelen 6 outlet supply) for about a year before they started making the car brain dead...... I just wouldn't ever do it again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
Geez, I've had strobes wired in the foglight housings of my '86 for years now, and I've never had a problem. This is kinda new info to me. These strobes were bought off a friend who ran them on his plow truck, he never had a problem. Maybe it's the strobe manufacturer that's the issue.....
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: New Albany Mississippi
Well in the impala I had them wired once into a Radio/Scanner hot wire, which was wired into the fuse box. After that I wired them straight to the battery but still grounded to the car body, after that I wired both hot/ground to the battery.
I'm unsure if something went wrong with the power supply, or if it was the (4) Whelen LED window lights I had plugged into the switch to the lights. LED draws very little power and didn't think it would affect anything. Either way I don't feel like trying either sets of lights on my personal rides.
Guess I could hook them up to my patrol car so if something went wrong it wouldnt be at my expense right!?
I'm not telling you not to try it if you want, I to ran these lights for about 3 years on different vehicles. And it may only been a problem with that impala not handling the extra electrical load.
I would still love to put strobes in my car.
I'm unsure if something went wrong with the power supply, or if it was the (4) Whelen LED window lights I had plugged into the switch to the lights. LED draws very little power and didn't think it would affect anything. Either way I don't feel like trying either sets of lights on my personal rides.
Guess I could hook them up to my patrol car so if something went wrong it wouldnt be at my expense right!?
I'm not telling you not to try it if you want, I to ran these lights for about 3 years on different vehicles. And it may only been a problem with that impala not handling the extra electrical load.
I would still love to put strobes in my car.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,122
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
I can't believe they haven't outlawed those things yet. It's getting harder to tell the cops from civ's, now that the cops are driving all kinds of "Stealth-Mobiles"! A cop got furious with me because I didn't pull over right away when he "lit me" on the street for an expired inspection sticker. I told him that I thought he was just some clown with a new toy on his car. I thought he was going to have a stroke, run me in or both! It didn't look like a cop car to me in my mirror. You had to look at it from the side to see it had those shadow style reflectors that showed it to be a police car. I wish they'd make their minds up about being cops or 'Secret Agents'. What's next, cloaking devices for the Klingons?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: New Albany Mississippi
Well Klondike I don't know what texas state law is, but here We are required to allow you to wait and pull over in a lit and/or a populated area as long you don't increase your speed. I tell my wife if she is getting pulled over and don't feel right about it, call 911 and ask them if an officer is trying to stop your vehicle.
But about making our mind up... we got to keep it mixed up now and then, everyone knows what crown vic or impala headlights look like from a mile away lol.
But about making our mind up... we got to keep it mixed up now and then, everyone knows what crown vic or impala headlights look like from a mile away lol.
Last edited by Sheriff08; Dec 5, 2009 at 12:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,122
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
That's kind of what I mean. Notice how nice everybody gets when they see a cop around? Just their presence is enough to make people pay attention to what their doing and straighten up. I think that's a good thing to be seen out and working, and the cops don't have to work so hard at enforcement. We've had a few 'fakes' pull people over for joke and worse lately, and I don't think anybody except law and emergency vehicles should have strobes.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
I agree 100% no one should be allowed to use them except emergency vehicles. How the heck are we to know who's legit or not?
A couple of years ago some ********* in a Suburban flashed me to pull over at 3 a.m. but I drove to the local cop shop and reported them.
The cops hauled their ar*ses in less than 15 minutes later, phyically ripped the lights out, wiring and all, and sent them on their way with a fine. Swiftest justice I've ever seen
We don't stop for anyone unless obviously a police car, blue lights, stripes, the works.
A couple of years ago some ********* in a Suburban flashed me to pull over at 3 a.m. but I drove to the local cop shop and reported them.
The cops hauled their ar*ses in less than 15 minutes later, phyically ripped the lights out, wiring and all, and sent them on their way with a fine. Swiftest justice I've ever seen
We don't stop for anyone unless obviously a police car, blue lights, stripes, the works.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: New Albany Mississippi
That's kind of what I mean. Notice how nice everybody gets when they see a cop around? Just their presence is enough to make people pay attention to what their doing and straighten up. I think that's a good thing to be seen out and working, and the cops don't have to work so hard at enforcement. We've had a few 'fakes' pull people over for joke and worse lately, and I don't think anybody except law and emergency vehicles should have strobes.
I agree 100% no one should be allowed to use them except emergency vehicles. How the heck are we to know who's legit or not?
A couple of years ago some ********* in a Suburban flashed me to pull over at 3 a.m. but I drove to the local cop shop and reported them.
The cops hauled their ar*ses in less than 15 minutes later, phyically ripped the lights out, wiring and all, and sent them on their way with a fine. Swiftest justice I've ever seen
We don't stop for anyone unless obviously a police car, blue lights, stripes, the works.
A couple of years ago some ********* in a Suburban flashed me to pull over at 3 a.m. but I drove to the local cop shop and reported them.
The cops hauled their ar*ses in less than 15 minutes later, phyically ripped the lights out, wiring and all, and sent them on their way with a fine. Swiftest justice I've ever seen
We don't stop for anyone unless obviously a police car, blue lights, stripes, the works.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Riverside California
That's kind of what I mean. Notice how nice everybody gets when they see a cop around? Just their presence is enough to make people pay attention to what their doing and straighten up. I think that's a good thing to be seen out and working, and the cops don't have to work so hard at enforcement. We've had a few 'fakes' pull people over for joke and worse lately, and I don't think anybody except law and emergency vehicles should have strobes.
As for the strobes, Strobes don't make u law enforcement. if anything Bright Red and Blue Lights would!
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: NY
its a bit different here in NY, i dont live in the ciy but close enough. they have to be undercover and they drive anything, i mean anything lol. ive heard stories of cops in beat up old toyota's to escalades with rims. how ever it is against the law to have strobes on while driving unless you are of emergency service in NY. and they do specify what you may or may not have, im a volunteer firefighter and im only allowed one light and it can be only blue, absolutley no red or clear.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 2
From: Prather, California -1990 ZR-1 White/Flame Red- -SOLD!!-
I agree 100% no one should be allowed to use them except emergency vehicles. How the heck are we to know who's legit or not?
A couple of years ago some ********* in a Suburban flashed me to pull over at 3 a.m. but I drove to the local cop shop and reported them.
The cops hauled their ar*ses in less than 15 minutes later, phyically ripped the lights out, wiring and all, and sent them on their way with a fine. Swiftest justice I've ever seen
We don't stop for anyone unless obviously a police car, blue lights, stripes, the works.
A couple of years ago some ********* in a Suburban flashed me to pull over at 3 a.m. but I drove to the local cop shop and reported them.
The cops hauled their ar*ses in less than 15 minutes later, phyically ripped the lights out, wiring and all, and sent them on their way with a fine. Swiftest justice I've ever seen
We don't stop for anyone unless obviously a police car, blue lights, stripes, the works.
Exactly what dumba$$es like that deserve! 