I got a Star Bar

[Eric2.0]

I got this nice Star Bar for my winter ranger rat project I'm doing. Originally I was going to convert an MX 7000 but it would of cost a lot to do so and I wanted to take my time and do a good job. I sat that was de for a full restoration later on. For now I like this Star Bar, simple, full size all amber and clean with new wires. The seller is local and restores lights, he has many and very knowledgeable and a real nice guy. He even told me what fuses and where to run the wires. It will be a similar le install, with only two wires. I don't need ally lights and all that so I'm happy, plus it is very light.
I payed 200.00 probably too much, but it works plus I have someone to help me with it if I have problems. I think it's a good deal.

here are some pics on my ranger, it looks and fits great. I'll have a video later it also has room for brake lights and a spot light in the middle. I might get ad those later. Right now it's just 4 rotators, two high speed two normal...has good "pop" off the diamond mirrors.

 

[Jennifer Rose Towing]

I have always liked the simplicity of those. The only issue I know of that they can have is the top dome screws becoming siezed in the base if it has been worked on then that is not in issue to look out for now! The rotators and diamond mirrors are a good combo in those. That is a nice looking bar.

 

[Eric2.0]

I almost got the 36 inch one, but having full width is my jam. That 36 inch is a nice bar as well.

I'm going to spend some time wiring this one up nicely and safely. It's only a two wire so it should be fairly simple, with a 20 amp fuse and two switch rocker, a second switch for when I install a rear spotlight in the middle dome, which is currently empty. I'll use this project as practice for when I do up a more advanced bar like the MX7000 of mine that is begging to be brought back to new condition. So far I have new amber domes coming for the MX 7000. I've been studying the wiring on it ....it's kinda simple, but looks complicated how it is routed everywhere. The star bar is real simple compared to that. It will be a fun project and first venture into what is now a new hobby of mine.

 

[ur20v]

I have the 4 strobe version of that bar. I found it on the side of 340 heading eastbound just outside of Brunswick, MD. I noticed it as I blew right past it going 70 and did a double take. Had to take the next exit and get back on 340 westbound, and do the same thing at the next exit several miles away. Amazingly no cracks or damage to the bar, just one non-functioning strobe tube, and I can't tell if that was from the lightbar coming off the vehicle. Pretty solidly built bars.

 

[Jennifer Rose Towing]

I personally would wire the rotators in pairs on 2 switches using a pair of 14 or 12 gauge wires depending on length. That is just my preference though. Running 4 rotators off one switch is typically a lot for a standard switch. If you are not able to find the specs you need online, plenty here willing to give you some wiring guidance. I have owned both the strobe and halogen version of that bar. The strobe was a waste of time but was happy with the halogen version. Should be a good bar for ya.

 

[ur20v]

I have owned both the strobe and halogen version of that bar. The strobe was a waste of time but was happy with the halogen version.

We must be talking about different strobe bars, 'cause the one I have is pretty impressive despite its rather basic design... four beacons, a high wattage power supply, and some diamond mirrors. Model 9404S... can't remember what the Truck-Lite p/n is.

 

[Eric2.0]

I personally would wire the rotators in pairs on 2 switches using a pair of 14 or 12 gauge wires depending on length.

That would give me the option to switch on all or just two rotators if I'd like. To save energy if I'm not needing full brightness. Cool idea. I may add a middle work light if I find a clear lens.

Here is a working video of it I just put on YouTube. Excuse my commentary, just trying to speak like I know what's going on, lol. I couldn't upload on here, but it's on YouTube now. If Im allowed to post link here.

 

[Jennifer Rose Towing]

Yup, just upload them to youtube then post the link here like that. Great way to share. Nice looking bar. Just like with the MX7000, it can get dirty between the domes to block the center mirrors. Although not vital, just something to think about when cleaning. Thanks for sharing, nice to see it lit up.

 

[JohnMarcson]

These are pretty good output considering the footprint size. I see these a lot on wide load escorts. Quite a few of these vehicles have switched over to. No name brand generic garbage LEDs. If you look at them next to each other, the rotator bars are by far more eye catching than the white and amber blurry mess that the low quality LEDs make. I think these are a pretty decent option for the amber market. Of course people will point out the amp draw, but it's not that significant when compared to other things that you could be doing. Rotator bar still have their place and in good condition a bar like this is plenty effective.

 

[Eric2.0]

I think these are meant more for road side service/highway operations/repair and escort cars as you said. I'd like to eventually make it into a tow bar, maybe next year or if I can find all clear domes, so I can put in tail/direction lights inside it and a rear spotlight in the back middle.

I'm currently off to pick up Three Whelen Mini edge 9000's from an F.D. that is getting rid of them. 60 dollars for all three, but the cords are short, cause they cut em off at the roof obviously. I'm thinking of putting in new cords and converting to amber, then selling for a good profit. I might keep one for myself.

 

[Jennifer Rose Towing]

You can put red tail lights behind an amber dome without issue. Had both MX and LP bars that way.

I never liked them in most bars because you either lose the mirror or a whole rotator.
They make brackets for the MX to be upper or lower. That is a bonus for them as the lower will not take up rotator/mirror space.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I think these are meant more for road side service/highway operations/repair and escort cars as you said. I'd like to eventually make it into a tow bar, maybe next year or if I can find all clear domes, so I can put in tail/direction lights inside it and a rear spotlight in the back middle.

I'm currently off to pick up Three Whelen Mini edge 9000's from an F.D. that is getting rid of them. 60 dollars for all three, but the cords are short, cause they cut em off at the roof obviously. I'm thinking of putting in new cords and converting to amber, then selling for a good profit. I might keep one for myself.

Honestly they are likely worth more as a collectable with the reds than you will get after paying for amber. Post them in a new thread here before you re-lens them.

 

[ur20v]

I'm currently off to pick up Three Whelen Mini edge 9000's from an F.D. that is getting rid of them. 60 dollars for all three, but the cords are short, cause they cut em off at the roof obviously. I'm thinking of putting in new cords and converting to amber, then selling for a good profit. I might keep one for myself.

There won't be much profit in them after buying amber lenses. Basic mini Edges sell for an average of $100-$120 each, if they're self-contained (but if they came off a fire truck, there's the possibility that they might be remote powered, making them worth even less). Reproduction (not genuine Whelen) end caps cost $30 each, and rep lens sticks are $28 each. Hopefully you won't have to replace any strobe tubes, because even used ones cost money. So, starting with a $20 mini Edge, adding $116 in new lenses and you get... $136. Cost you $16 to sell a $120 light bar!

 

[JohnMarcson]

There won't be much profit in them after buying amber lenses. Basic mini Edges sell for an average of $100-$120 each, if they're self-contained (but if they came off a fire truck, there's the possibility that they might be remote powered, making them worth even less). Reproduction (not genuine Whelen) end caps cost $30 each, and rep lens sticks are $28 each. Hopefully you won't have to replace any strobe tubes, because even used ones cost money. So, starting with a $20 mini Edge, adding $116 in new lenses and you get... $136. Cost you $16 to sell a $120 light bar!

That's what I was getting at exactly. The days of flipping edge bars to a different market being profitable have come and gone. Heck, it isn't even really worth it with freedoms and liberty's anymore (swapping LED modules in that case). I like to collect unusual fire/ems edge variations and I would likely be paying about the same as what you would be selling the amber swap over bars for without any of the hassle of the lens swap.

 

[Eric2.0]

They were cheap so I got em, lol. One is missing stuff, chords are short, but with all of them I should be able to make one awesome one, that I might keep for a glass coffee table project I've been thinking about. How cool would it be to have a mini edge blasting light under a glass coffee table, hahaha. Or may sell it for slightly more or use as a supplemental light on my truck this winter (amber of course). Either way I had to have them, will give me good practice for restoring old beacons, which I have decided to start doing. I get a lot of satisfaction out of these old lights. I may not be able to use one in action, but I can still have fun restoring them and saving them from the scrap yard. I saved 4 of them already from being junked.

 

[Eric2.0]

I've seen brake lights through amber lenses, it isn't that bad, but I'm doing it more for the practice and to learn wiring in a lightbar. This starbar is really simple so I think it will be good for the first time. I see the first problem, I'll be blocking a rotator if I put a brake light behind it. I might literally been lt the tailliight to the bottom of the bar on the outside. I'm not going for beauty points here, lol. I'd like to make inner and outer rotators separately switchable as Jennifer has mentioned. Just for practice to see how it can be done. I'm going to have fun with it here's the inside of the starbar... I think I'll need a bigger distribution block to add a couple more accessories. Maybe not

 

[JohnMarcson]

They were cheap so I got em, lol. One is missing stuff, chords are short, but with all of them I should be able to make one awesome one, that I might keep for a glass coffee table project I've been thinking about. How cool would it be to have a mini edge blasting light under a glass coffee table, hahaha. Or may sell it for slightly more or use as a supplemental light on my truck this winter (amber of course). Either way I had to have them, will give me good practice for restoring old beacons, which I have decided to start doing. I get a lot of satisfaction out of these old lights. I may not be able to use one in action, but I can still have fun restoring them and saving them from the scrap yard. I saved 4 of them already from being junked.

I would buy a mini edge of this age / model (duplex series). Let me know if you sell them.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I've seen brake lights through amber lenses, it isn't that bad, but I'm doing it more for the practice and to learn wiring in a lightbar. This starbar is really simple so I think it will be good for the first time. I see the first problem, I'll be blocking a rotator if I put a brake light behind it. I might literally been lt the tailliight to the bottom of the bar on the outside. I'm not going for beauty points here, lol. I'd like to make inner and outer rotators separately switchable as Jennifer has mentioned. Just for practice to see how it can be done. I'm going to have fun with it here's the inside of the starbar... I think I'll need a bigger distribution block to add a couple more accessories. Maybe not

You also have an empty center, section you could move a rotator there or you could replace the rear portion of a mirror instead of removing a rotator at all.

 

[ur20v]

You also have an empty center, section you could move a rotator there or you could replace the rear portion of a mirror instead of removing a rotator at all.

Yep, cut one mirror in half and use each half for front-facing mirrors and tuck a STT behind each.

 

[Eric2.0]

Yep, cut one mirror in half and use each half for front-facing mirrors and tuck a STT behind each.

I saw a few dealers online still sell this exact starbar in halogen and strobe, they even have a toman version with stt behind amber domes. I guess they still make the starbar?. I'm curious to see how much it cost brand new, I'm guessing around 585.00 or so. It says call for pricing.

They also have the full, rotator interceptor available. How I would like a 53" towman special, interceptor bar straight out the show room. Fully loaded, lol. I wonder if whelen and such, still make some sort of full size rotator bars.

Christmas is coming, so....

 

[ur20v]

I think this is it for halogen rotators...

Item # MFTR-A, Full-size light bars On North American Signal Co.

Browse Item # MFTR-A, Full-size light bars in the North American Signal Co. catalog including Item #,Item Name,Description,Dome Color,Lens Color,Lamps per Light,Width,Height,Depth,Operating Voltage,Flashes per Minute (FPM),Mounting Method,Bulb Part #

catalog.nasig.com

There's probably some still being made in Europe, like Hella, or some super craptastic stuff by Ecco. But pickins are slim, and I know Whelen doesn't make any rotating lights, and Im pretty sure Star, Federal Signal (aside from their LED rotators), or Code 3 does either.

 

[Eric2.0]

This website appears to be selling brand new starbars, not sure if they are knockoffs,.....they do seem like the real thing.

 

[JohnMarcson]

This website appears to be selling brand new starbars, not sure if they are knockoffs,.....they do seem like the real thing.

Home - Star Lighting Products

Star Lighting Products Since 1980, Star Lighting Products® has been providing our customers with high-quality lighting, warning systems, and signal solutions for a wide variety of applications. Whether you need high-quality LED emergency lights or traditional incandescent lamps, specialty...

starlightingproducts.com

Star Lighting Products, Inc.®​

12875 Corporate Drive Suite A​

Cleveland, Ohio 44130​

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 392-3552
Local Phone: (216) 433-7500
Fax: (216) 433-7506

sales@starlightingproducts.com

They have an interesting name that they apparently had before they started selling Star Warning / Signal Vehicle Products. They were selling industrial and commercial lightbulbs in the 1980s, maybe they thought adding Star vehicle lights was a natural addition.

They don't list prices so get ready to be surprised that anew halogen or strobe bar costs as much as a name brand led bar.

 

[Eric2.0]

I expect one to cost around 500 or so, probably 668, as a tow bar. That is why I am thinking of getting this Liberty, wecan bar I found online for sale in my state. He wants 300 with a wecan controller(whatever that means) looks in good shape, but I don't know a lot about a liberty. Looks newish possibly LED. I don't like newer, LED, blinker, thin lights, but thinking about getting this one for my F150. For the brightness if it's LED. And looks new enough that I can still get parts for it. Although it is not a rotator, I do like the looks of this and it should be way brighter than any rotator.

Would you pay 300 for this?

 

[ur20v]

Would you pay 300 for this?

Well, no, *I* wouldn't, but that's because the last three Whelen Liberty bars I bought also came with a Whelen Legacy bar and four Code 3 RX2700 CC bars (three of which were MC models) for not much more than that. But that's a different situation. I have been know to pay quite a bit for a bar I know to be hard to find if it's going in my collection...

I just haven't had the opportunity to overpay for an Advantedge... (ahem, @JohnMarcson ) or a Centurion... (you out there, @894 ? ) or even a stupid Tomar Heliobe bar that nobody actually wants (@tsquale !!!). Ugh.

 

[ur20v]

?

If you really want a Liberty, I will sell you a nice one for $150 that doesn't require a Wecan controller. You just have to drive down to Loudoun County to pick it up from me. Or you can have a nice SoundOff ETL5000 with the breakout box for the same price. Or a Code 3 RX2700 CC (non-MC), same deal.

 

[Eric2.0]

I would of I were closer. First rule of the internet, never disclose your location and I am far from Virginia.

I'm thought getting that bar would be better fitted on my f150, as my jetstrobe idea is gone, because of hard to find strobe modules and that it is a Chicago P.D. exclusive version. It's a shelf queen. A nice shape edge 9000 or even one of the newer ones like the liberty of I can get a good deal. I actually found a 53 inch edge 9000 all blue I may be going to see about two hours from here. That would fit my f150 better than a 47 inch. Not sure how finding strobes for that would be...probably better than a JetStrobe

 

[JohnMarcson]

I would of I were closer. First rule of the internet, never disclose your location and I am far from Virginia.

I'm thought getting that bar would be better fitted on my f150, as my jetstrobe idea is gone, because of hard to find strobe modules and that it is a Chicago P.D. exclusive version. It's a shelf queen. A nice shape edge 9000 or even one of the newer ones like the liberty of I can get a good deal. I actually found a 53 inch edge 9000 all blue I may be going to see about two hours from here. That would fit my f150 better than a 47 inch. Not sure how finding strobes for that would be...probably better than a JetStrobe

You might want to edit that......

 

[Eric2.0]

Grammar police?

 

[ur20v]

Grammar police?

Nah, he's just an observant observer.

 

[ur20v]

I would of I were closer. First rule of the internet, never disclose your location and I am far from Virginia.

You're not *that* far. I was in Carroll County last week. It was an hour and 11 minute drive for me. I'm a stone's throw away from Frederick.

I'm thought getting that bar would be better fitted on my f150, as my jetstrobe idea is gone, because of hard to find strobe modules and that it is a Chicago P.D. exclusive version. It's a shelf queen. A nice shape edge 9000 or even one of the newer ones like the liberty of I can get a good deal. I actually found a 53 inch edge 9000 all blue I may be going to see about two hours from here. That would fit my f150 better than a 47 inch. Not sure how finding strobes for that would be...probably better than a JetStrobe

I thought you had a Ranger?

And finding strobes for a 9000 or 9M Edge is a lot easier than finding strobes for just about any other strobe made by any other brand.

I actually have a 54" 9000 Edge bar that I might consider selling. It was built at the same time the standard length 9M came out, which I found odd, but they were probably depleting their inventory of 9000 corner assemblies before introducing the 9M in extended lengths.

 

[Eric2.0]

You're not *that* far. I was in Carroll County last week. It was an hour and 11 minute drive for me. I'm a stone's throw away from Frederick.



I thought you had a Ranger?

And finding strobes for a 9000 or 9M Edge is a lot easier than finding strobes for just about any other strobe made by any other brand.

I actually have a 54" 9000 Edge bar that I might consider selling. It was built at the same time the standard length 9M came out, which I found odd, but they were probably depleting their inventory of 9000 corner assemblies before introducing the 9M in extended lengths.

I also have a 2005 Ford F-150, extended cab. My 55 inch Force LP6000, looks nice on it, but it's also a red bar I can't use. My mx700o in 47" looks odd on the f150. I think a square type bar would look better for the project planned for my f150. I'm thinking hard about joining the F.D as a volunteer, so I may make my f150 into a rescue vehicle of sorts. I don't know yet, still trying to decide if I would be fit for the job. Would be nice to have an actual use for a bar.

I don't live in Baltimore, I fudge my location for internet sakes. I've purchased from people on here before so they know exactly where I live, nothing to hide, just don't want it advertised on the public front.

 

[Eric2.0]

Also here is the LP 6000 I talked about above in 55 inch. It looks nice on my f150. The rest of these are my Vista, areodynic, mx7000 I got all these free from a F.D that were about to toss them. Took me two trips to get them all home in my Toyota Corolla. I couldn't let them be destroyed. Now I have so many bars. I plan to and already have, started collecting parts for all of them so I can restore them one at a time to like new shape. My Vista, mx7000 and LP 6000 are pretty good shape already. The AreoDynic works, but the domes need restoration, the motor cuts in and out, and the center section cover and siren are missing. I went snooping around the F.D where the AreoDynic was stuck in the bushes, hoping to find the siren, but did not find not sure the age of the AreoDynic, I see them in use all the time around here on roll beds, so I'm guessing mine might not be really old...probably like 1999 or 2006 era.....wild guess.