Light Bulbs are one of ARC Raiders’ deceptively simple items—easy to overlook early on, but absolutely essential once you reach Expedition Project Phase 3, where five bulbs are required. They fall under the Electrical loot category, yet they almost never appear in large quantities even at Electrical POIs. Because of that, most players struggle to farm them consistently.
The loot pool in ARC Raiders is heavily randomized, and Electrical POIs often generate a wide mix of components—humidifiers, toasters, rusted gears—everything except the one item you actually need. Light Bulbs do not follow a strict guaranteed spawn rule.
Fortunately, you can discover two specific cars on Dam Battlegrounds that have an unusually high chance of spawning Light Bulbs. These locations allow you to farm bulbs quickly and avoid depending on RNG-heavy container runs.
Best Light Bulb Farming Method: Search the Two Cars on Dam Battlegrounds
Each of these cars can drop one or two Light Bulbs once you breach their hood. With reasonable luck, you can gather all five bulbs in four to five short raids.
1. Electrical Substation (South Dam Battlegrounds)
The Electrical Substation is located at the southern edge of the map and is considered the safer of the two farming spots. Most of the time, Raider activity here is low, making it a great first stop in a fresh deployment.
How to Find the Car
- Locate the Substation’s main building.
- Head to the south-facing side, near the broken wire fence.
- Look for a worn-out white car parked by the roadside.
- Breach the hood and loot the internal compartment.
You can usually secure one or two Light Bulbs from this car, making it one of the most efficient and beginner-friendly farming spots on the map.
2. Power Generation Complex (North Dam Battlegrounds)
The Power Generation Complex sits in the northernmost area and is riskier due to more frequent ARC patrols—especially Rocketeers. However, the loot quality in this region is higher, and the car here also has a strong chance of dropping Light Bulbs.
How to Find the Car
- Travel to the North Complex Elevator extraction point.
- Move slightly east until you reach several broken buses parked together.
- A rusted car sits beside the concrete barriers near this cluster.
- Breach the hood and search inside.
The density of ARC enemies here means you’ll want to move quickly, grab your loot, and head straight to the nearby extraction point.
Can You Hit Both Locations in a Single Run?
Yes—if you’re careful.
The two cars are located on opposite ends of the map, so you’ll need to stay along the outer perimeter to avoid unnecessary fights. This route is efficient for experienced Raiders who want to maximize their farming per deployment.
After looting one car:
- Pocket the Light Bulbs in your Safe Pocket to avoid losing them on death.
- Rotate along the map edge.
- Hit the second car.
- Extract from whichever lift is closest.
This method minimizes contact with Raiders and reduces the risk of losing valuable items.
Additional Ways to Get Light Bulbs
While less reliable, you can find Light Bulbs from:
Electrical Loot POIs
Any POI marked with the Electrical category has a chance to contain bulbs.
Expect to search:
- Cabinets
- Lockers
- Wall containers
- Industrial crates
These are not recommended as your primary method due to inconsistent RNG. Play Now!
Pro Tips for Players
A bit of planning helps maximize your chances of getting out with your loot intact:
1. Scout for ARC Patrols: Both farming areas sometimes spawn:
- Rocketeers
- Leapers
- Standard ARC patrol groups
Avoid combat if you already have bulbs in your pocket. Running is often the smarter choice.
2. Extract Immediately After a Good Drop: If the car gives you two bulbs, consider extracting instead of risking another fight.
3. Prioritize Safe Pocket Storage: Always move bulbs to your Safe Pocket—this guarantees they remain yours even if the run goes sideway.
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