Grandmaster Flatcap Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I've not made my mind up as to the aesthetics of this however...Has anyone any idea as to the legality / practicality of fitting white forward facing LED DRL's to the rollbar, either one centrally or two on the "corners"? I'm always conscious that are cars are small and fast and easily missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 11, 2016 Member Share Posted March 11, 2016 There was a related discussion but IIRC it was about the permitted position of headlights. I don't think that additional lights woud be restricted.JonathanPS: Does speed contribute much to being missed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 JK, can it be a factor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I guess with a faster car you need to be able to spot it further away to get the same amount of time before it gets to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 11, 2016 Member Share Posted March 11, 2016 Checked a few regulations: additional lights aren't inspected in the MoT procedure and I can't see anything about positions in other documents. HID have specific regulations and there are some hints that LEDs might but I've never seen them.Previous discussions of LED DRLs.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted March 11, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted March 11, 2016 Nigel Just use your dipped headlights. It's the rear lights that really need improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john milner Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Reflected light in the rear view mirror is likely to be a problem for forwarding facing lights behind the driver. A quick test with a bright torch at night would be worthwhile before spending any money. I also would be more concerned with illuminating the rear and have toyed with the idea of reflective tape on the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 12, 2016 Member Share Posted March 12, 2016 ... and have toyed with the idea of reflective tape on the bar.i've thought a lot about increasing the chances of being seen on bikes and the Vespa. And created some Xmas trees accordingly. Never worried about the 7.That's an excellent idea, particularly if you can do enough of the bar to show the shape of the car. IMHO one of the problems with point lights, however bright, is that they can be mistaken for other sorts of lights such as street clutter.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essIII Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 On the subject of reflective tape, does anyone know if this stuff is as impressive as the amazon photos suggest? Black in natural light, but reflects white - could be a no brainer to add to the roll bar.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotchlite-Black-Reflective-Tape-20mm/dp/B00940IEU0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 12, 2016 Member Share Posted March 12, 2016 Haven't seen it before. Ordered.ThanksJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted March 12, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted March 12, 2016 I don't see any reason to fit daytime running lights, as Paul says, just turn the lights on.I don't understand why the regulation for running lights have no rear illumination.With regard to the rear lights, when I re-built the car I removed the dreadful caravan units and replaced with LED units. I think it is a distinct improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted March 12, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted March 12, 2016 StevenWhich LED lights have you fitted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john milner Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 The reason I have not implemented reflective tape to the bar is I think all tapes reflect white (or more accurately the colour that is shone at the tape). I'm fairly sure it is illegal to have a white reflector on the back of a vehicle which is why we have yellow registration plates on the back. Ideally for the bar I would want black tape that could somehow reflect white light as red. I think this would only be possible if a transparent red filter layer could be stuck over reflective black tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 @Paul, I've just fitted http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361483346297?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D361483346297%26_rdc%3D1 as indicators and they are very good. I've ordered (EDIT: link deleted as the product did not work) as Brake/Tail, but they've not arrived yet... And remember you'll need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271624331225?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D271624331225%26_rdc%3D1 if you swap to LED indicators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 13, 2016 Member Share Posted March 13, 2016 Nigel: please could you add some some photos comparing old and new?I'm fairly sure it is illegal to have a white reflector on the back of a vehicle which is why we have yellow registration plates on the back.I see what you mean from the number plates but I've never found any legislation or case law on this. It might appear in at least two forms: specific stuff about reflective materials or something about reflective materials being considered as lighting.Anything definitive, anybody?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 @JKI tried to take photos to compare on my phone, but other than the LED bulb having a bigger halo/lens flare the pic's are inconclusive.You will be pleased and proud to know though that tried a blind test I installed Daughter #1 in my darkened garage and asked her to tell me which of the rear indicators was the brightest with the hazards on, and she picked the LED straight away saying it was much brighter. I repeated the test at the front, having not changed either bulb, and she correctly said that they were the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 13, 2016 Member Share Posted March 13, 2016 Like the method. See also shock absorbers!:-)Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted March 13, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted March 13, 2016 Hi PaulThese items from SVC (www.s-v-c.co.uk) are what I have used. I bought them at Stoneleigh in 2014.http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/uploaded/thumbnails/db_file_img_829_800x800.jpgThese are E marked. and are "Mix & Match" series. 55mm diameter. I look forward to showing them to you at Stoneleigh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted March 13, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted March 13, 2016 Stoneleigh - hope to be there and in my 7 instead of a big silver van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted March 13, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted March 13, 2016 Good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 22, 2016 Member Share Posted March 22, 2016 On the subject of reflective tape, does anyone know if this stuff is as impressive as the amazon photos suggest? Black in natural light, but reflects white - could be a no brainer to add to the roll bar. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotchlite-Black-Reflective-Tape-20mm/dp/B00940IEU0Just got some to play with. Looks like shiny black tape in ordinary light. Reflects as silver speckle. Here's some (left) on the roll bar next to a piece of reflective bike sticky (right) of the same size, on-axis flash:So it's nowhere near as bright as the ordinary sticky, but would clearly show the shape of the bar etc.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2TKY Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Just fitted these, indicators are a great improvement. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 3, 2016 Member Share Posted April 3, 2016 Which ones did you use... and can we have some photos, please?ThanksJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2TKY Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Post #14 on the second page on this thread, indicators and relay work a treat, not so the stop n tail, back to the drawing board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2TKY Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Post #14 on the second page on this thread, indicators and relay work a treat, not so the stop n tail, back to the drawing board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now