Auxiliary driving lights?

[Mr Kleen]

Has anyone seen an X1 with auxiliary "ralley style" lights? I've looked around but haven't seen anything. Not sure I would do it myself, but I'd love to see it done.

Something like this:

[Tayrevey]

The X1 Powder ride edition (USA launch edition, i believe) had roof rails with speakers and flood lights on it, I've looked but i can't seem to find a way to acquire them (i have looked for them before)

[NumberSix]

Try using this Roof Basket with driving lights of your choice attached to the front. With a trailer plug it can be unplugged and easily removed when not needed. You can see them mounted on a MINI Cooper.

[mini_cal]

what would be the best way of wiring this?

I've been looking to get aux lights/a lightbar on a roof basket, but have been stumped on how to wire it up neatly, and to a switch, seemlessly installed on the dash on the interior.

[0w40X1]

Mr Kleen,

I don't think our X1 has enough battery to run rallye lights without more charging modification.

I can't keep my X1 charged unless I drive 500 miles on a trip. I even turned off daytime running lights, and this is true even without A/c on.

I certainly wouldn't modify the charging system with all the computer controls, etc.

[spydrz]

Originally Posted by 0w40X1

Mr Kleen,

I don't think our X1 has enough battery to run rallye lights without more charging modification.

I can't keep my X1 charged unless I drive 500 miles on a trip. I even turned off daytime running lights, and this is true even without A/c on.

I certainly wouldn't modify the charging system with all the computer controls, etc.

I would have to think our alternators are at least as powerful as those in the Mini...probably from the same supplier.

Have you checked your charging system? Something is amiss.

[Twix]

The X1 has, if I remember correctly, a 210A alternator. Far more power than even your house can draw. The battery has less to do with current draw while the engine is running, than it does while the key is off.

Most all BMWs have issues with the batteries holding a charge if the vehicle isn't driven enough, there's a lot of on board computers which always draw some small amount of current. It's normal for you to have to drive your car often, and for longer distances.

A battery needs a higher voltage, and current flow in the opposite direction to charge. Therefore, at idle, the amount of current flow isn't as high as it would be at say, 2000 RPM. The more engine speed, or the longer the time the alternator spins, determines the rate at which the battery charges.

[NumberSix]

Wire them together and then run one wire over to the rear and hook up like you would a trailer. In fact, use the same type connection as you would with a trailer harness. You can then wire this into a switch that runs to the front of the car

OR put a hole in your roof

[mini_cal]

Originally Posted by 0w40X1

Mr Kleen,

I don't think our X1 has enough battery to run rallye lights without more charging modification.

I can't keep my X1 charged unless I drive 500 miles on a trip. I even turned off daytime running lights, and this is true even without A/c on.

I certainly wouldn't modify the charging system with all the computer controls, etc.

Strange. Typically I'll drive 50km a day during the week. No issues with my battery.

[0w40X1]

Yeah, they checked it and says it's normal. I think the alternator has lots of power, and someone that knows what they're doing can get the power out of it.

I have a voltmeter on my Scanguage that shows 14.5 volts charge all the time until I road trip it then, it'll charge at 13.7 for awhile and finally 12.6 which is battery fully charged, and alternator turned off.

So I'll come back to car 2 days after driving around town and it might be 12.1 to 12.3 which is not fully charged.

I'm just over reacting because I can see the charging going easy, and a bad battery is costly. If you get towed they'll say it;s your fault.

[Brazenskies]

The battery on my X1 is a joke. I've NEVER had stop/start work on my car as the battery is never charged enough for it. BMW have been less than helpful in trying to diagnose the problem but if it ain't charging up again I'm suspecting a dodgy alternator

[Twix]

Where do you park your car? Inside a garage or somewhere else? I've noticed a lot of people that park their car in a garage and don't lock it tend to have more battery issues than those whom lock their car over night.

If the car isn't locked, and the key is within range, the car will never enter sleep mode, thus draining the battery fairly fast.

I leave my car for weeks at a time at an outdoor airport parking lot in -30C weather. Not once have I ever had my car not start or even had something like the comfort access not work.

[Mr Kleen]

I thought about roof mounting, but they look so much better down low in the front. Up top has the "offroad" look where down low has the "ralley" look.
Now that we lowered the X1 there's no more SUV pretensions.

[YYCADM]

You can get an LED lightbar, from 10 to 50 in. in length, straight or curved & blacked out to mount on the face of your kidney shaped grill if you want extra lighting. They use the latest generation of CREE light emitters and in the 30 & 50 in. lengths especially put out a ridiculous amount of light. They are very low draw considering their output, and the X-1 battery & electrical system should handle them with ease. I think your bigger issue may be the first time you encounter the Highway Patrol on a dark highway and get pulled over for impersonating the surface of the sun...

[mini_cal]

Originally Posted by Mr Kleen

I thought about roof mounting, but they look so much better down low in the front. Up top has the "offroad" look where down low has the "ralley" look.
Now that we lowered the X1 there's no more SUV pretensions.

Would this work for your tastes? Haha.

[Mr Kleen]

We would need a 1.2" lift instead of the 1.2" drop for this style, but I do like it.

[NumberSix]

Found it at this Swedish site Oljebaren for only 634 € ($567.20 excl VAT) plus S&H. And, get a NONSENS "PDC-KILLER" 8-pakkaus for only 11 € ($9.60)

One thing I don't know is how this would affect cooling.

[zeevette]

I can't believe you like that crap. Why not just throw some race car stickers, and maybe a scattering of Rs here and there?

[mini_cal]

Originally Posted by zeevette

I can't believe you like that crap. Why not just throw some race car stickers, and maybe a scattering of Rs here and there?

I think everyone is entitled to their own taste.

Also I don't think this is the same as slapping on racecar stickers claiming it's an extra 15HP for every sticker or adding those stick on hood scoops.

It serves a purpose, to mount extra lighting in this case. He's not going to slap on the bar with rally lights and make a track machine out of it because it makes him go faster.

I wouldn't mind adding extra lighting for when I head north/camping/adventuring.

[Mr Kleen]

Originally Posted by NumberSix

One thing I don't know is how this would affect cooling.

On a street driven X1, not much affect at all. The big chrome tubing isn't my style but I like the placement. I remember seeing offroad driving lights that had a halo that stayed on like a DRL. A set of those would blend in nicely with the stock halos if a good mounting point could be found. Like my wife would let me drill into the front of her X1 to mount ralley lights.

Originally Posted by zeevette

I can't believe you like that crap. Why not just throw some race car stickers, and maybe a scattering of Rs here and there?

I can't believe people watch reality TV or like broccoli. Diff'rent Strokes...

[zeevette]

Originally Posted by Mr Kleen

On a street driven X1, not much affect at all. The big chrome tubing isn't my style but I like the placement. I remember seeing offroad driving lights that had a halo that stayed on like a DRL. A set of those would blend in nicely with the stock halos if a good mounting point could be found. Like my wife would let me drill into the front of her X1 to mount ralley lights.

I can't believe people watch reality TV or like broccoli. Diff'rent Strokes...

I like broccoli. I used to like American Idol, but it's sucked since Simon left.

[Mr Kleen]

Well, there you have it.