LED Whip Lights
How Long Will My LED Whips Last?
With normal use, you can expect your whip lights to last 34 years!
Even with very heavy use, you can expect your LED whip lights to last 50,000 hours or more than 11 years.
- Used 4 hours a day, 365 days a year, a whip will last 34 years!!
- Used 8 hours a day, they will last 17 years.
- Used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 hour bulb will still last more than 11 years.
LED Whip Lights Durability And Construction
What does an IP67 rating mean?
Most whip lights are rated IP67 – this means that your LED whip light is sealed up tight and well protected from dust and water.
An IP67 rating means an item can be submerged in water up to 1 meter in depth for up to a half hour and survive in working condition.
Breakdown Of The IP 67 Rating
Solids Protection: Level 6
This is the highest level for solids protection. At this level, your LED whip light is 100% protected from dust.
Liquids Protection: Level 7
This is the 2nd highest level for liquids protection. At this level, your whips are safe from water damage if submerged in water up to 1 meter in depth for up to a half hour.
This is a top notch rating that ensures your whip will have a long life even in adverse conditions.
As long as you don’t drive your ATV off a cliff into a lake, it’s all good.
Why aren’t whips rated IP68, the highest rating possible?
The biggest reason is that it’s not cost effective. In order to achieve an IP68 designation, the price would be through the roof.
No one wants to pay $500 for a 3’ whip.
IP67 is the best waterproof designation for all but the most extreme conditions such as deep sea diving.
Buyers want the best product possible at the best price possible.
Installing Whip Lights
Installation On An ATV
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Involved: 10-15 minutes
Installation On A RZR
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Involved: 30+ minutes
Tools Needed for RZR Install
- T-30 Torx wrench
- Push pin removal tool
- 10mm socket
- 19mm socket
- Allen wrench (provided with kit)
- Zip ties (provided with kit)
- Side cutter (wire cutter)
Examples Of Whip Lights For Sale Online
Tricked Out ATV
Whip Light FAQ
How hard are whip lights to install?
Difficulty Level: 2 (out of 5)
I’d put the difficulty level as about the same as changing out your tires. It’s not HARD hard, it just takes some energy and a can do attitude.
It may seem a bit intimidating, but it doesn’t require any mechanical or electrical skills.
How long does it take to install LED whip lights?
Well, people in YouTube videos do it in less than 7 minutes for an ATV and 12-15 minutes for a RZR/SxS.
Realistically, you’re probably not going to be able to get it done that fast.
An ATV installation is a lot easier than a SxS installation, there’s no panels or seats to remove and a whole lot less wire to run.
An ATV installation will probably take the average person about 15 minutes. Just a bit longer than the video experts.
With a SxS installation, plan on it taking 30 minutes. And maybe even a bit longer if you’re having a hard time figuring out where to run your wire. If you use a plug and play harness, this will definitely speed up the installation.
Do I need any special equipment or tools for installation?
The tools you need will depend on the type of vehicle you have.
For an ATV, the only tools you need are zip ties plus wire cutters and electrical tape if you have too much wire and want to trim it down.
For RZRs, SxS and other vehicles you may need more tools, it depends on your vehicle. These vehicles may require you to remove panels and seats in order to run the wire through the vehicle.
The tools you need are basic tools though, nothing specialized.
For the UTV installation in the video, they used:
- T-30 Torx wrench
- Push pin removal tool
- 10mm socket
- 19mm socket
- Allen wrench (provided)
- Zip ties (provided)
- Side cutter (wire cutter)
What is a plug and play harness or pigtail? Can I use it to install my LED whips?
A plug and play harness is a pre-wired harness that makes it easier to install a whip.
It allows you to wire from the rear of the vehicle using already existing wiring. With a harness or pigtail you don’t have to cut into existing rear wiring or run wire from the battery all the way to the back of the vehicle.
Most new RZR and SxS now come with a back plug that makes it easier to install lights and other ATV accessories such as speakers and light bars.
Typically for the RZR, you install the plug and play harness into the existing wiring at the tail lights, but your vehicle may have a different set up.
Each make and model of SxS requires a vehicle specific plug and play harness.
Example of RZR Plug And Play Harness
Example of Yamaha YXZ Plug And Play Harness
Can I use LED whips on my vehicle?
Whips will work on any type of off-roading vehicle.
They will work with UTVs, ATVs, RZRs, Dune Buggies, Sand Rails and full sized vehicles like trucks and Jeeps.
What holds the whip onto the vehicle?
The LED whip light is secured onto the vehicle with a whip mount. Some mounts also include a spring to allow for movement to dampen stress on the LED light as well as the mount and vehicle.
Spring Mount
On ATVs installing the whip mount is usually as simple as twisting on a washer and a nut.
- Most touring and trail ATVs come with a whip flag mount area on the rear rack.
- Sport ATVs will require an ATV grab bar which may or may not come standard on your ride.
Sport ATV grab bar
On RZRs and side by sides, whip mounts are secured to the roll bars with clamps and a bracket. The clamps and bracket are easy to install and can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
Do I need a vertical or horizontal mount for my RZR or SxS?
When you order whip lights for your RZR/SxS, you will be asked whether you need a vertical or horizontal mount.
There are no real pros and cons to either installation setup.
Ultimately, it depends on your roll bar set up and what’s the most practical place for the lights.
Example Of A Vertical Mount
Example Of A Horizonal Mount
Can I easily take these whip lights off and on?
Once the initial installation is complete, adding and removing your whips is as simple as pulling a pin and lifting the light out of its mount.
Do these whips need a switch or can I just use a remote or a phone app?
Your best bet for running these lights is a hard wired switch or a wireless remote. We recommend using both together.
Whip Light phone apps suck.
It is what it is.
I’m not saying don’t use a phone app, but go in with your eyes open and manage your expectations.
Phones apps are great in theory, but the reality doesn’t always deliver. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done on this front.
One of the most popular apps for LED lights is BLE Dim which is rated 3.1 (out of 5) with 700+ reviews. And this is just one example, there are tons more.
I’m sure that with time these apps will get better, but for now it’s hit or miss.
Do LED whips have Bluetooth? What is Bluetooth?
Most of the newer LED whips on the market come with Bluetooth.
Some less expensive lights may not come with Bluetooth, so if this is an important feature, make sure before you place your order.
Bluetooth technology allows for short range communication between mobile devices. It’s what allows whip lights to be able to sync up with music.
Can I sync these up with music?
In order to get your LED whip lights to sync up with music, you will need a Bluetooth wireless controller.
These are typically sold as an add on for an additional fee.