maddielu

I know this sounds random, but anyone have experience installing an emergency responder light bar? I tried searching the forums but couldn't find anything. Then again, how many RX8s are equipped with firefighter tags and blue lights??

J_Ro

Haha very random. I'd look at google, I doubt you finding much here about emergency lights.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't think it's anything special. Just +12V and ground I'd assume. Though an entire light bar may pull some current, so I'd think about running my own fused power line to the battery, depending on the amperage rating. If it's something like 20 amps, then you'll also want to wire a relay inline before you install the on/off switch. Most of your tiny 99cent AutoZone switches aren't really safe with that much juice running through them.

Joe-the_tattoo_artist

Blue lights for firefighters? I was taught that blue lights are for law enforcement and red lights are for emergency response, like fire trucks and ambulances.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

I believe unmarked emergency response teams need blue front facing lights, I know a couple of firefighters here at work that have blue bars on their trucks.

maddielu

Thanks for the quick response! Any suggestions for DIYs that might be useful to look at? I'm thinking of hardwiring the light bar instead of using the cigarette lighter and somehow routing a direct connection to the battery under the dash...

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Again, we need total amperage draw before we can recommend something solid. I'm sure it's labeled right on it or in any paper work is came with.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

if it is a interior light bar that will sit above the rear view mirror, look up some DIY's on how to hardwire a radar detector. Best bet is to run your wires through the headliner, down the A pillar, and tap into the kick panel fuse, or get a separate fuse directly to battery through firewall if higher output is needed. You can then put a switch in one of the empty spots to the left of the steering wheel.

maddielu

In the wonderful state of NJ, emergency responders can have blue lights (no red or white) in their personal cars as a "courtesy light" to try to get people out of the way. But it's not like anyone actually takes flashing lights and sirens seriously in this state...

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

LOL, complete opposite here in hartford. Flashing lights and everyone ducks for cover, even if it is a tow truck.

maddielu

Finally got the info. The light bar supposedly pulls a total of 4.8 amps.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Ehhhh that's no tiny amount. Certainly too much for some circuits in the car. But you might be able to tap it onto a circuit that has a 25-30 amp fuse. And it should be a circuit that only has power when the ignition is on. The power door locks and sunroof are on a circuit with a 30 amp fuse. The power windows are on another circuit with a 30 amp fuse. The "accessory socket" socket is on a 20 amp fuse, but doesn't pull any juice unless something is plugged into it...and even then it's usually only a couple amps tops. I think I'd actually go with that one.

Tap into the wiring at the fuse panel, but also make sure you have a 5 amp fuse inline to your lightbar. If something was to go wrong and you didn't have that fuse inline, it would draw clear up to 20 amps before it would blow the accessory fuse. 20 amps on some skinny wiring is a fire waiting to happen. Also remember that you'll have to put a switch inline obviously. Unless you want them running all the time. lol Most people use the spare tabs to the left of the steering wheel to install switches. Right by the DSC and dash illumination control.

EricB

iTrader: (7)

i saw a youtube video online of a rx8 with flashing blue lights by Blacknightz, ill try to find it again.. it looked sweet.

heres one:

jk it was nightzconcepts


^personally i think this car looks amazing as an emergency response car. Its definitely not something you see everyday, almost something out of a videogame. the top video... ehhh.. kinda lame looking.


haha you can say that again, when i pull over for emergency vehicles, the cars behind me always try to cut me off and then pull ahead of me.

maddielu

Awesome! So, this is going to be the first electrical work I've done on the car (been too worried about messing up and getting paged to my own vehicle fire rescue, talk about embarrassing). Had to preface that for the stupid questions I'm about to ask lol.

To tap the accessory socket, is there an easy way to figure out on the fuse panel which connection is for the accessory socket? I'm hoping I don't have to take apart the center console to trace the connection...

Do the spare tabs next to the steering wheel just pop out? I was fiddling around there this morning and couldn't figure out how to get the tab out without mangling it with my knife

Thanks for the help

maddielu

DAMN! I thought I was going to be the first RX-8 with emergency responder lights. I agree the second ones look badass, but the problem is that the car is so low in comparison to most cars on the road that grille lights probably wouldn't be visible at all. That's why I need a lifted truck so that even if I just installed grille lights, I'd blind the **** out of everyone

EricB

iTrader: (7)

just thinking out loud, and im no electrical master engineer, but im assuming you could delete your high beams, put in blue bulbs that flash somehow.. this would delete your high beams, and as much as i always detest doing that, its a tradeoff i would be willing to make for sexy emergency lights.

part of it though is the S2's aggressiveness of the front, i dont mind the big smile of a bumper in this S2 though.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

The spare tabs pop out pretty easily from the back. Small slight clips on the top and bottom I believe.

In the faq thread at the top of the forum is a picture of which fuse is which. I've seen these "add-a-fuse" devices that wedge in along side the stock fuse. I've seen a coupe designs of that. See what you can find. All else fails, follow the wire as it comes out of the backside of the fuse panel. Or unscrew the gear shift ****, unscrew the two screws in the cup holder and pop the center console out. The two more screws right below the ashtray/cig lighter, then it pops out. It's really very easy.