How To Install LED Light Bar On ATV?
Almost all the ATVs you can buy nowadays come with headlights of heavy and non-heavy intensity lights. However, additional LED lights can help in a broader vision of the surroundings, helping you understand the trail much better.
All-terrain vehicles are meant to be ridden on different off-road trails like forest trails, hills, mud-ridden tracks, and even deserts.
So, if you start your trail ride in the morning with your GPS device, it will likely take much more time after sunset to reach the end of the terrain.
How To Install LED Light Bar On ATV?
Why are LEDs Required on ATVs?
In forest trails, there are lots of shrubs and blocks that are not easily seen with the headlights only.
So, if you have an LED light in your ATV, it would give you a broader picture and boost your confidence. The LEDs also make the ATV look much more dominant and powerful, making it stand out.
Many ATV riders across the globe are adopting the trend of having extra LED light bars on the vehicle fitted in the correct places to provide extra visibility and popularity of the ATV among ATV rider groups.
What to check before buying LED light for ATV
Before you think about the question of how to install an LED light bar on an ATV, there are a few steps that you need to look into first. Experts always suggest buying the LED light bar with some considerations.
One of the prime considerations remains that of warranty. Never buy a cheap LED bar with no manufacturing warranty.
The other fact that needs to be checked while buying is whether the LED light bar is sealed. If the casing package is improper, there remains a high chance of water or mud getting inside, damaging the LED bar completely.
Why choosing an LED light bar is the right choice.
A few years ago, when LED was not an option yet, people chose other types of lights for their vehicles as to the requirement, and the use of extra light equipment was always there as the power source of the lights was hooked up to the vehicle.
It would often take out a chunk of the ATV or UTV’s power and cause trouble in the trail ride.
The light-emitting diodes are fully electronic-based and are much lower in cost than other lights.
The genuine irony is that they consume very little power and provide a great light intensity. The LEDs have successfully replaced the large halogen lights, which consumed a lot of power and were dull in looks.
ATV LED Options
The inefficiency of other light options has made the LED light bar the ideal choice for ATV riders. The other style advantage that you have is that the LEDs are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes to fit perfectly with the ATV model.
The color and intensity options are excellent when discussing LED light bars.
You get the LEDs in your favorite color and fix them on the vehicle in the right spots to make it look more unique and customized according to your style and preferences.
A lot of LED light bars even come with a special color-changing option.
This is allowed by the electronic setup of the LEDs and the programs installed.
If hunting is legal in your state, hunters would love this light setup where they can change the color according to the animal’s visibility and use the colors the animal might be blind to.
The common choices for fitting an LED on the ATV come as in the front, in between the space of headlights, or on the top of the vehicle if the ATV or UTV model comes with a roof-like structure.
Many riders, out of enthusiasm, might get more than one LED light bar in the space of an ATV, but it would be unnecessary and overwhelming. Too much would seem like a party vehicle, and you would feel odd in the middle of deserted trails.
The installation process initiation
When you have finally bought a good quality LED light bar from the market, you might be wondering about how to install a LED light bar on an ATV.
Many would prefer to take their ATV to a mechanic garage and get it fixed by an expert. But there isn’t an absolute need for that. You can install the LED light bar yourself by following simple steps.
You can save some precious money and time for yourself by diving into the initiative of DIY.
DIY Installation of LED Light on ATV – The Basic Steps
After parking your ATV in a suitable spot, preferably a spot like your personal garage, the first task will be to identify the right spot based on your design where the LED light bar can be fixed easily and sturdily.
The spot you choose will be the dominant factor in determining how firmly and strongly the LED light bar will be mounted.
The LED light bar you will buy would often come along with other required parts like a bracket, nuts, bolts, and wires. Along with these, using a wire harness would prove very effective.
If it’s not present along with the LED light bar, don’t hesitate to buy one from the electrical store. Refer to the wiring diagram, if it’s present in the manual, along with the LED light bar set.
Wire harness for LEDs
When you buy a wire harness, it comes with a switch, power cable, and ground cable of red and black color effectively.
Using the wire harness would make you recognize the wires appropriately without confusion. Some wire harness brands also provide the relay and extra connector wires.
Wiring with Super Bright LEDs Harnesses Wiring and accessories are sold separately.
The wiring steps are necessary for each mode for selecting and switching whichever multi beams or twin color lights bar they use. WH-ATPs22 and ATPs must be wired. WWHP has no obligation to fulfill all of the above requirements.
Fixing the switch and wiring it
After setting up the required parts, first, you should try to release the wire from the switch and make the switch free.
Then, it would be best if you made the wire reach the dashboard of your vehicle through the firewall unit. Select a spot where you can easily access it all the time. With the help of permanent glue, fix the switch on the spot.
Then it would be best if you reconnected the other end of the wire. The setup is already present with the switch. You need to fix it. Likewise, very little work is present in this portion. Remember that the wires would go to the ATV battery.
You can also use any other system which will provide the power.
Connecting the actual LED light bar
Use a drill to make appropriate holes for the bolts to get fixed. Using a marker for marking the spots for the hole is quite necessary. Some errors in the measurement will leave your ATV with extra holes in the body. Then, you need to install the slider of the LED light bar with the help of bolts.
Followed by the bracket getting fixed with the led bar and sliding the bracketed light into the slider.
Now, it will be time to fix the bolts carefully put in them while holding the setup. In this step, having someone hold the LED light bar setup with you would be best.
An ATV with an LED light bar attached in front for extra lighting
The remaining wiring
Ensure that you have enough cable for the proper connection of the light bar, with the relay bypassing the switch to the power provider. The positive cable, red in color, would attach to the positive or red terminal in the ATV battery.
The black wire can go into the ground or negative terminal of the battery, but otherwise, you can connect it to the chassis for grounding purposes.
After the wiring setup, you might notice that some wire is in excess, and there is no need to detach all wires to make them shorter. Just put the excess part along the bay of the engine.
Harnessing and testing
The picture given above would help you a lot in understanding the wiring connection very well.
In the end, properly connect the LED light bar positive negative points to the wires and do not connect the other end to the battery yet. After adjusting the light bar brackets, you can complete the wire connection.
Test the system by putting the switch in on mode and then putting it off again. After starting your ATV, test the setup again.
If it works fine, you have done a great job and acquired a new skill. If something is wrong and the lead doesn’t shine, return to the manual and check the wiring for mistakes.
FAQs
Why are additional LED lights beneficial for ATVs?
Additional LED lights on ATVs provide a broader vision of the surroundings, enhancing the understanding of the trail. They are especially useful in forest trails where shrubs and blocks might not be easily visible with just the headlights. Additionally, LED lights give the ATV a more dominant appearance, making it stand out.
What should one consider before purchasing an LED light bar for an ATV?
Before purchasing an LED light bar for an ATV, it’s essential to consider the warranty. Avoid buying cheap LED bars without a manufacturing warranty. Additionally, ensure that the LED light bar is sealed properly to prevent water or mud from entering and damaging the LED bar.
Why is an LED light bar a preferred choice over other lighting options?
LED light bars are electronic-based, cost-effective, and consume very little power while providing intense light. They have replaced large halogen lights, which consumed more power and lacked aesthetic appeal. LED light bars are also available in various shapes, sizes, colors, and intensities, offering customization options.
Where are common places to fit an LED light bar on an ATV?
Common choices for fitting an LED light bar on an ATV include the front space between the headlights or on top of the vehicle if it has a roof-like structure. However, avoiding overloading the ATV with too many LED bars is essential, as it might appear excessive and out of place.
How can one install an LED light bar on an ATV?
To install an LED light bar on an ATV, identify the right mounting spot. The LED light bar package typically includes essential parts like brackets, nuts, bolts, and wires. Use a wire harness for effective wiring, referring to the diagram provided. Drill appropriate holes for bolts, fix the LED light bar setup, and connect the wiring. After installation, test the system to ensure it works correctly.
Conclusion
Setting up an LED light bar in your ATV would provide extra visibility and make your trail rides much more comfortable.
Connecting the led light bar is not as complicated as you might have guessed, so trying it yourself would be a great opportunity to learn and become more skillful.
If you follow the manual, which comes in the box of the led light bar well enough, there won’t be any mistakes. Reading the above points will make the setup much easier for you.