AuxBeam Pods: Modular Building Blocks for Seeing—and Being Seen

Pods are the Swiss Army knives of vehicle lighting. They’re compact, mount almost anywhere, and let you sculpt light exactly where you need it. With AuxBeam pods, you can stitch together a system that evolves: start with ditch lights for shoulder visibility, add rear floods for reversing, and later integrate side scene lights for camp. This guide covers patterns, placement, wiring, CANBUS notes, aiming, and pro installer tricks so your pod setup is bright, quiet, and reliable.

Patterns 101: Spot, Flood, Combo, and Fog

• Spot: Tight, long-range pencil beams for distance and A-pillar “ditch” lights that peer around bends.
• Flood: Wide coverage for reversing, trailside, and work areas.
• Combo: A blended optic that gives usable mid-field while still reaching out.
• Fog: Low, cutoff-style optics for weather; best low in the bumper and aimed carefully.

Placement Playbook

• A-pillars (ditch lights): Angle 10–15° outward to catch road edges, wildlife, and trail exits.
• Front bumper: Tuck floods into factory openings; use combo pods as compact driving auxiliaries.
• Rack sides: Scene floods to light camp or job sites without harsh hotspots.
• Rear bumper/hatch: Floods tied to a switch (and optionally reverse signal) make trailer work painless.

Wiring, Control & Noise Avoidance

Pods are usually low-to-moderate draw, but treat them with the same respect as bigger lights:

• Fused circuits: One fuse per run near the source. If using a switch panel, observe per-channel limits.
• Deutsch connectors: Seat pins fully; a single pushed-back pin causes maddening intermittents.
• Routing: Use loom, grommets, and P-clamps; keep clear of antenna leads to reduce RF noise.

Aiming Without Guesswork

• Ditch pods: On level ground 25–30 ft from a wall, set the hot spot just below hood height and 10–15° outward.
• Rear floods: Aim slightly down to avoid blinding followers while maximizing driveway/trailer visibility.
• Side scenes: Angle to overlap beams for uniform coverage without stripes.

Tips, Tricks, and the 4-1-1

• Run separate switches for front, sides, and rear; you’ll use less current and get better light where you need it.
• For overlanding, a pair of low-draw rear floods saves your starter battery when camp runs long.
• Anti-theft Torx or security heads keep pods on your truck in city parking.
• Label your harness ends; it turns a future upgrade from hours to minutes.

Buyer’s Checklist

1. Pick patterns by job (spot for distance, flood for work, fog for weather).
2. Confirm bracket fitment (A-pillar, bumper, rack).
3. Choose wiring: individual harnesses or a centralized switch panel.
4. Add covers or amber lenses if you run in dust/snow.

FAQ

Can pods replace a big bar? For many users, yes—strategic pods do 80% of the work with less glare and current draw.

Are pods street-legal? It depends on pattern, color, and aim. Use compliant fog patterns low in the bumper for road use; reserve spot/combo for off-highway.

Why do my pods crackle on the radio? Reroute power, improve grounds, and add ferrite beads. Keep wires away from antenna coax.

Bottom Line

AuxBeam pods let you build smart, evolving light in small steps. Place them with intent, wire them cleanly, and aim them thoughtfully—you’ll see better while drawing less power and attracting fewer complaints.