The KC HiLiTES Cyclone LED debuted in 2014 as a compact, low-draw accessory light that could fit almost anywhere on a UTV. Its round, low-profile design made it useful as a dome light, rock light, engine-bay light, cargo light, accent light or emergency repair light.
Original KC Cyclone LED Specifications
The first-generation Cyclone measured just 2.2 inches in diameter and 0.53 inch thick. Each light used 5 watts and incorporated 12 LEDs, with KC advertising up to 1,100 raw lumens of output.
- Diameter: 2.2 inches
- Thickness: 0.53 inch
- Power: 5 watts
- LED count: 12
- Advertised output: 1,100 raw lumens
- Operating voltage: 6–16 volts
- Protection rating: IP68
- Beam style: Wide-area accessory lighting
The IP68-rated housing was designed to resist dust and water, an important advantage for lights mounted in UTV wheel wells, beneath the chassis or inside an engine compartment. Cyclones could be attached with a Dzus fastener or conventional mounting hardware.
UTV Uses for KC Cyclone Lights
The Cyclone’s compact dimensions and modest electrical draw made it possible to place several lights around a vehicle without the space or power requirements of conventional LED pods. Common UTV applications included:
- Interior dome and map lighting
- Wheel-well and underbody rock lights
- Engine-bay and service lighting
- Cargo-bed illumination
- Colored accent lighting
- Rear-facing dust or chase-light applications
We later used KC Cyclone accent and underbody lights on several UTV Guide projects, including our Yamaha YXZ1000R play-car build. Cyclones were also installed on our RZR displayed in the KC booth during the 2015 Sand Sports Super Show.
Original KC Cyclone Colors and Part Numbers
KC offered the original lights individually in several output colors. These first-generation models and part numbers are retained below for historical reference; availability may now be limited because the original Cyclone has been superseded.
- 1350: Clear
- 1351: Diffused white
- 1352: Amber
- 1353: Red
- 1354: Blue
- 1355: Green
The original ready-to-install packages included the 350 Universal DIY kit, 351 Jeep JK under-hood kit and 352 Ford Raptor under-hood kit. Depending on the application, these packages included one or two lights, wiring, a weatherproof switch and mounting hardware.
KC Cyclone V2 Replaces the Original Design
KC has since replaced the first-generation model with the Cyclone V2 LED. The newer light retains the familiar 2.2-inch diameter and 0.53-inch profile while adding a die-cast aluminum housing, impact-resistant replaceable lens and updated mounting options.
The current white Cyclone V2 is rated at 600 lumens, 5 watts and 0.42 amp per light on a 9–16-volt electrical system. It produces a wide flood pattern at a 5000K color temperature and retains an IP68 rating. Clear, diffused and amber configurations are available, along with interchangeable colored lenses and multi-light rock-light kits.
| Specification | Original Cyclone | Cyclone V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 2.2 inches | 2.2 inches |
| Thickness | 0.53 inch | 0.53 inch |
| Power | 5 watts | 5 watts |
| Advertised output | 1,100 raw lumens | 600 lumens |
| Operating voltage | 6–16 volts | 9–16 volts |
| Weather protection | IP68 | IP68 |
| Lens design | Fixed color configurations | Replaceable colored lenses |
Output figures are manufacturer ratings from different product generations and may not represent a direct measured-lumen comparison.
KC Cyclone Mounting Examples
A Versatile Lighting Option for UTVs
The Cyclone’s lasting appeal is its flexibility. A single light can illuminate a cab or cargo area, while several can be distributed beneath a UTV for rock lighting and nighttime service work. The current Cyclone V2 continues that concept with updated construction, replaceable lenses and complete multi-light installation kits.
See the current KC Cyclone LED lineup for available lights, lenses, mounting accessories and kits.
