Buyers Products 17 Inch Polycarbonate ID Bar Light with 9 LEDs is used on trucks and trailers to meet FMVSS/CMVSS 108 regulations. With three 3-LED marker lights, the surface-mounted ID bars are ready to install with a blunt cut lead and ring terminal. Lights are backed with a limited lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| Amp draw at 12 Volts | 0.120 |
|---|---|
| Base / Mount Type | Surface |
| Built-In Switch | No |
| Color | Red |
| Depth | - |
| Hard Wired or Plug | Hard Wired |
| Height | 1.500 |
| Housing Material | Plastic |
| Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
| Lens Shape | Rectangular |
| Number of Wires | (2) Wires, (1) w/Stripped Power Wire & (1) w/#10 Ring On Ground |
| Overall Width | 17.000 |
| Plug Included | No |
| Type of Plug | Blunt Cut |
| Voltage | 12 |
| Wattage | 1.44 |
The Buyers Products 17 Inch Red Polycarbonate ID Bar Light with 9 LEDs represents a sophisticated and robust solution for rear identification lighting on commercial vehicles. Engineered to exceed industry standards, this unit provides critical visibility and compliance for a wide range of applications, from heavy-duty trucks to diverse trailer configurations. Its design integrates cutting-edge LED technology with highly durable materials and a simplified installation process, ensuring both superior performance and long-term reliability.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) / Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108 Compliance
A primary attribute of this ID bar light is its unwavering adherence to FMVSS/CMVSS 108 regulations. These governmental safety standards are meticulously formulated to enhance vehicular safety by standardizing lighting, reflective devices, and associated equipment. For rear identification lamps, FMVSS/CMVSS 108 mandates specific requirements to ensure that the width of a vehicle exceeding 80 inches is clearly communicated to following traffic, particularly under low-light conditions or adverse weather. The Buyers Products 17 Inch ID Bar Light achieves this by incorporating three distinct 3-LED marker lights, precisely spaced within the 17-inch bar. This configuration ensures that the illuminated area is sufficiently broad to provide an unambiguous visual cue of the vehicle's full width, a critical factor in preventing rear-end collisions and facilitating safe maneuvering on roadways. The red color output is also a specific requirement for rear-facing identification lighting, further enhancing regulatory compliance and universal recognition.
Advanced LED Illumination Technology
At the core of this identification bar light's performance lies its advanced LED array. Comprising a total of nine Light Emitting Diodes, configured as three individual marker lights each housing three LEDs, this system offers substantial advantages over traditional incandescent lighting. LEDs are renowned for their exceptional longevity, typically offering operational lifetimes tens of thousands of hours longer than conventional bulbs. This dramatically reduces maintenance frequency and associated costs, a significant benefit for fleet operators. Furthermore, LEDs provide superior energy efficiency. With an impressively low current draw of just 0.120 Amperes at 12 Volts, corresponding to a mere 1.44 Watts of power consumption, this light minimizes the strain on a vehicle's electrical system. This translates to reduced fuel consumption, prolonged battery life, and decreased alternator workload. The rapid illumination time of LEDs also enhances safety by providing near-instantaneous light output, allowing following drivers to react more quickly to the presence of the vehicle. Moreover, LEDs are solid-state devices, rendering them highly resistant to shock and vibration, which are inherent stressors in commercial vehicle operation. This inherent robustness ensures consistent, uninterrupted performance even in the most demanding environments.
Engineered for Durability: Polycarbonate Lens and Robust Housing
The selection of materials for the Buyers Products ID bar light reflects a commitment to extreme durability and long-term performance. The lens component is constructed from high-grade polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polymer distinguished by its exceptional impact resistance. Polycarbonate possesses a significantly higher impact strength compared to alternative materials such as acrylic or glass, making it virtually impervious to road debris, gravel impacts, and minor collisions. Beyond its mechanical resilience, polycarbonate offers excellent optical clarity, ensuring maximum light transmission and minimal light distortion, thereby maintaining the integrity of the LED output. It is also inherently resistant to UV radiation, preventing yellowing or hazing over time due to sun exposure, which is a common degradation factor for exterior lighting components. This UV stability guarantees that the red light output remains vibrant and fully compliant throughout the product's operational life. The housing of the ID bar light is fashioned from a high-quality plastic material. This choice provides several benefits, including reduced weight compared to metal housings, inherent corrosion resistance—a crucial factor in environments exposed to road salt, chemicals, and moisture—and excellent dielectric properties. The combination of the polycarbonate lens and durable plastic housing creates a fully sealed unit that effectively resists ingress of dust, moisture, and other environmental contaminants, thereby protecting the internal LED circuitry and prolonging the life of the entire assembly. This robust construction ensures that the light maintains its functionality and aesthetic integrity across varying climatic conditions and operational demands.
Optimized Design and Dimensions for Versatile Integration
With an overall width of 17.000 inches and a compact height of 1.500 inches, this identification bar light is meticulously designed for broad applicability and unobtrusive integration. Its rectangular lens shape is a standard configuration for ID lights, providing a familiar and clear visual signature. The shallow depth (though not explicitly specified, the low height implies a compact profile) ensures that the light does not protrude excessively, minimizing potential for damage from impacts or snagging, and maintaining the vehicle's aerodynamic profile. The red color is universally recognized as a rear-facing safety signal, compliant with all regulatory mandates for identification lamps. This specific dimensioning makes the unit an ideal fit for the rear upper center of a truck or trailer, fulfilling the legal requirement for demonstrating overall vehicle width. The surface mount design further streamlines installation, eliminating the need for complex cut-outs or extensive body modification. This allows for a clean, secure, and straightforward attachment to various vehicle surfaces, whether metal, fiberglass, or composite materials.
Simplified and Secure Electrical Connection
Installation is further simplified by the hard-wired design of the ID bar light, equipped with a blunt cut lead and a #10 ring terminal for the ground connection. This method provides a robust and permanent electrical interface, superior to temporary plug-and-play solutions in demanding commercial environments. The blunt cut power wire allows for direct splicing into the vehicle's existing 12-volt electrical system, offering flexibility in wire length and connection method (e.g., butt connectors, soldering, terminal blocks) to suit specific installation requirements. The inclusion of a pre-attached #10 ring terminal on the ground wire is a thoughtful design element. A #10 ring terminal is suitable for attachment to a standard #10 screw or stud, providing a secure and reliable chassis ground connection. A robust ground is paramount for optimal LED performance and longevity, preventing flickering or premature failure due to poor electrical contact. This hard-wired approach, devoid of a built-in switch, ensures direct integration with the vehicle's existing lighting control circuitry, allowing the ID light to activate in conjunction with other required rear lighting, such as tail lights or marker lights. The two-wire configuration (power and ground) simplifies the wiring process, reducing installation time and complexity for technicians.
Operational Efficiency and Environmental Resilience
The design and material composition of the 17 Inch Red Polycarbonate ID Bar Light ensure exceptional operational efficiency and resilience across a spectrum of environmental conditions. Its low power consumption directly translates into reduced electrical load, which is particularly beneficial for vehicles with extensive auxiliary lighting or electrical accessories. This minimizes the risk of overloading the electrical system and contributes to overall energy conservation. The inherent thermal efficiency of LEDs, coupled with the chosen housing materials, ensures that the unit operates at cooler temperatures compared to incandescent counterparts, significantly extending its operational lifespan and preventing heat-induced material degradation. Furthermore, the unit is engineered to withstand the rigors of commercial transport, including exposure to extreme temperatures, varying humidity levels, and corrosive elements such as road salts and industrial cleaning agents. While an explicit IP (Ingress Protection) rating is not provided, the robust construction, durable materials, and sealed design strongly indicate a high level of protection against dust and water ingress, making it suitable for year-round outdoor use in diverse climates. The solid-state nature of LED technology further enhances its resilience to mechanical shock and continuous vibration, which are ubiquitous challenges for lighting components mounted on heavy vehicles.
Applications and User Benefits
This 17 Inch Red Polycarbonate ID Bar Light is an indispensable component for a multitude of commercial vehicle applications. It is specifically designed for installation on the rear of:
- Heavy-Duty Trucks: Including semi-trucks, dump trucks, concrete mixers, and refuse vehicles, where clear width indication is crucial for highway safety.
- Trailers: Utility trailers, enclosed trailers, flatbed trailers, recreational vehicle (RV) trailers, boat trailers, and agricultural trailers, all of which require compliant identification lighting.
- Specialty Vehicles: Such as buses, tow trucks, and construction equipment, ensuring these large vehicles are properly identified from the rear.
The benefits to the end-user and fleet operator are multifaceted:
- Enhanced Safety: Providing clear and consistent vehicle width indication dramatically improves visibility for following traffic, reducing the risk of accidents, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions.
- Regulatory Compliance: Guaranteed adherence to FMVSS/CMVSS 108 standards ensures legal operation, avoiding costly fines, out-of-service violations, and potential liabilities.
- Reduced Operating Costs: The superior longevity and energy efficiency of LED technology lead to significant savings through fewer bulb replacements, lower maintenance labor, and decreased fuel consumption.
- Exceptional Durability: The robust polycarbonate lens and durable plastic housing provide outstanding resistance to impact, vibration, and environmental factors, ensuring a long service life in harsh operational environments.
- Simplified Maintenance: The "set it and forget it" nature of LED lighting virtually eliminates routine bulb checks and replacements, freeing up valuable maintenance resources.
- Reliable Performance: Consistent, bright illumination for the lifespan of the product contributes to sustained operational safety and efficiency.
- Professional Appearance: A functional and well-maintained lighting system projects a professional image for any commercial fleet.
Conclusion
The Buyers Products 17 Inch Red Polycarbonate ID Bar Light with 9 LEDs is more than just a lighting accessory; it is a critical safety component and a wise investment for any commercial vehicle operator. Its meticulous engineering, adherence to stringent safety regulations, utilization of advanced LED technology, and construction with high-grade, durable materials collectively position it as a premier choice for rear identification lighting. The ease of installation, coupled with minimal power consumption and a limited lifetime warranty, underscores its value proposition as a reliable, cost-effective, and performance-driven solution for enhancing vehicle visibility and ensuring legal compliance across diverse commercial transport applications. This product delivers a dependable lighting solution designed for the rigorous demands of the road, ultimately contributing to safer driving conditions for all.
