It is that dark time of year again, and night time visibility is low. This is when we start to make decisions
on what type of plow light we put on our vehicles. But before we do that we need to know a little bit about lights.
Snowplow lights come in regular sealed beam and halogen high intensity lighting, xenon. Head lights are measured in the amount of candlepower which is a way of measuring how much light is produced by a light bulb and a lumen is a way of measuring how much light gets to what you want to light! At least this gives you a small basis on what you are looking for. So when you are buying snowplow light s keep this information in mind.
The snowplow light manufacturers now make this systems with different ratings on their lights.
The systems mostly used now are halogens, with separate bulbs for high beams low beams.
Another thing I feel you need to keep in mind especially if you have an old plow and want to up grade your lights. Make sure your old snowplow light harness can handle the up grade. There is nothing more frustrating then installing new plow lights, and the system blows a fuse or relays and you do no know why. Especially when they usually will not blow until after 5 minutes, so just when you think you are fine the lights go out. So make sure your snowplow light harness can handle this increase.
The other thing to keep in mind is how much you want to be seen by other drivers. So you may want to start to think about installing an overhead yellow or over head strobe light. Check with your state laws there could be a requirement if you are going to install an over head strobe light. They also make them in permanent and magnetic. Personally I prefer the magnetic strobe lights It gives me the ability to choose to be removed at any time. The permanent is cheaper but requires some work to install. Please keep this in mind when buying these strobe lights and do not to get a light that is mesmerizing to oncoming drivers. You just want to notify and warn them you are there.
When buying new snowplow lights, ask about any warranties and guarantees that apply with their product. One thing I also want to talk briefly on is a lot of snowplow owners try to cram all kinds of light s in there fuse panel. Before adding any light make sure you have room in your fuse panel for any additional plow lights. When wire splicing make sure you solder, or use butt connectors and then heat shrink tube over all spices. Do not use any type of temporary connections.
Happy snowplowing and remember Edgeolite is here to keep you safer!, and Smarter.
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Windshield Glare ,Blocker, it’s that time of year.
Did you ever notice as the sun goes down earlier the head light’s come on earlier, that’s a no brainer.
But people just don’t realize how much smaller everything becomes in the dark.
What I mean by that is the distance our eyes can see, or how easy it is to almost become mesmerized as the 2 red dots of the cars tail lights about 500 ft in front of you just stay there like they are parked, like not moving but they are not stopped, they are moving the same speed as you.
That’s usually when someone comes up behind with there high beams on, and blinds you with the glare from their lights. Just about the same time, a passing car comes form the other way with their high beams on and now you are fighting their glare also. About this time you remember you can not run people off the road, from the frustration of not being able to see.
Now try having this problem in a snow storm or rain storm. You can certainly imagine how amplified the problem of glare gets. Well I’m not going to tell you I found a total solution, but I will tell you there are some products out that can assist you in light glare dilemma’s.
These products are not very expensive for what they can deliver, some do last longer than others and I’m not going to tell you that it is 100% cure, but I will say it is certainly an aid when battling with light glare if you use glare blockers.
The products vary, I have seen products from plastic shields to a paste you apply on your windshield each with a little different approach and application. But this time of year is the time of year to start thinking about using these products and limit your liabilities. Get rid of windshield glare and Drive safe edgeolite.com
But people just don’t realize how much smaller everything becomes in the dark.
What I mean by that is the distance our eyes can see, or how easy it is to almost become mesmerized as the 2 red dots of the cars tail lights about 500 ft in front of you just stay there like they are parked, like not moving but they are not stopped, they are moving the same speed as you.
That’s usually when someone comes up behind with there high beams on, and blinds you with the glare from their lights. Just about the same time, a passing car comes form the other way with their high beams on and now you are fighting their glare also. About this time you remember you can not run people off the road, from the frustration of not being able to see.
Now try having this problem in a snow storm or rain storm. You can certainly imagine how amplified the problem of glare gets. Well I’m not going to tell you I found a total solution, but I will tell you there are some products out that can assist you in light glare dilemma’s.
These products are not very expensive for what they can deliver, some do last longer than others and I’m not going to tell you that it is 100% cure, but I will say it is certainly an aid when battling with light glare if you use glare blockers.
The products vary, I have seen products from plastic shields to a paste you apply on your windshield each with a little different approach and application. But this time of year is the time of year to start thinking about using these products and limit your liabilities. Get rid of windshield glare and Drive safe edgeolite.com
Thursday, October 1, 2009
heavy duty snowplows- whats yours?
So you are interested in a heavy duty snowplow? Not to use on your driveway I hope.
Size up your equipment to the right job. Don’t use a 6 foot plow to plow a commercial parking lot or a highway. “Heavy duty snowplow” is a wide statement in general and needs to be a little more defined. I would not say that a 7 foot plow on a ½ ton truck is not heavy duty, but not the right kind of heavy duty for some snowplow jobs.
Heavy duty snowplows are used for commercial parking lot and highways and roadways.
It all has to do with pressure, frequency and weight. These are the forces these large plows are overcoming. Just look at the difference in the plow , start with a look at the frame , the amount of steel on the supports, the spacing of the supports behind the mold board, look at the size of the cylinders, the hydraulic lines, the rebound springs, and the cutting edges.
Most pickup’s could not even pick up these plows let alone plow with them. These plows are designed for front axle of 12,000lbs and up. You have to remember it is one thing to plow a driveway at 10 mph with a 6-7 foot plow it’s another to plow a 12’ highway lane at 45 mph hitting all kinds of expansion joints and ice patches. These plows are continually under stress that’s where frequency comes in and harmonious vibration and shock that can easily bend steel , break welds and bend the cutting edges.
So when companies like Wausau, Snogo, Frink America, Viking-Cives , make these plows design them to with the elements as well as the work load in mind. Some of the designs that these heavy duty snowplows have are: one way plows, reversible plows , v plows, wing plows, bull nose plows. Let’s not forget airport runways and the plows that need to keep an airport clear.
So, the reason I writing this is to try to give you a better under standing of exactly what a heavy duty Snowplow really is. I see a lot of people trying to sell snowplows and calling them heavy duty and in my opinion there not. Just like a 69 Camaro and a 69 Super Sport Camaro are not the same. A snowplow and a heavy duty snowplow are not the same. But at least this article is giving you some information to go off of when looking for a heavy duty or light duty snowplow. You basically want to match the right plow to the right job and if heavy duty is what you need make sure to get it. Ask the person selling you the plow and claiming is it heavy duty to show you the difference between the heavy duty and a regular snowplow.
Size up your equipment to the right job. Don’t use a 6 foot plow to plow a commercial parking lot or a highway. “Heavy duty snowplow” is a wide statement in general and needs to be a little more defined. I would not say that a 7 foot plow on a ½ ton truck is not heavy duty, but not the right kind of heavy duty for some snowplow jobs.
Heavy duty snowplows are used for commercial parking lot and highways and roadways.
It all has to do with pressure, frequency and weight. These are the forces these large plows are overcoming. Just look at the difference in the plow , start with a look at the frame , the amount of steel on the supports, the spacing of the supports behind the mold board, look at the size of the cylinders, the hydraulic lines, the rebound springs, and the cutting edges.
Most pickup’s could not even pick up these plows let alone plow with them. These plows are designed for front axle of 12,000lbs and up. You have to remember it is one thing to plow a driveway at 10 mph with a 6-7 foot plow it’s another to plow a 12’ highway lane at 45 mph hitting all kinds of expansion joints and ice patches. These plows are continually under stress that’s where frequency comes in and harmonious vibration and shock that can easily bend steel , break welds and bend the cutting edges.
So when companies like Wausau, Snogo, Frink America, Viking-Cives , make these plows design them to with the elements as well as the work load in mind. Some of the designs that these heavy duty snowplows have are: one way plows, reversible plows , v plows, wing plows, bull nose plows. Let’s not forget airport runways and the plows that need to keep an airport clear.
So, the reason I writing this is to try to give you a better under standing of exactly what a heavy duty Snowplow really is. I see a lot of people trying to sell snowplows and calling them heavy duty and in my opinion there not. Just like a 69 Camaro and a 69 Super Sport Camaro are not the same. A snowplow and a heavy duty snowplow are not the same. But at least this article is giving you some information to go off of when looking for a heavy duty or light duty snowplow. You basically want to match the right plow to the right job and if heavy duty is what you need make sure to get it. Ask the person selling you the plow and claiming is it heavy duty to show you the difference between the heavy duty and a regular snowplow.
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