Light strips

[lotos]

Sounds like a great idea to me! It's common to do LED lights now in custom hot rods - Look at the sort of thing on this page : http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/leds_plus.html

You may be able to make your own easy with a white LED strip (similar to Chris's LED tail light setup) that you can make yourself for your custom application. White LED strips are easy to find and are dirt cheap.

[Blue_Bullet]

Look what i found while browsing ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MR-2-MR2-SW20-Rev ... 33586b4192

Looks simular fit to the Elan>?

wonder what they would look like? Anyone sh1t hot at Photoshop and can paste them on ?

[tweetdriver63]

Look what i found while browsing ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MR-2-MR2-SW20-Rev ... 33586b4192

Looks simular fit to the Elan>?

wonder what they would look like? Anyone sh1t hot at Photoshop and can paste them on ?

I have those lights on the front. They're billed as LED fog/driving lights. (There's a pic of mine installed somewhere on LEC) I mounted them in the intercooler openings under the front bumper. They're practically invisible, and don't block the airflow into the intercoolers at all. They also don't put out any worthwhile light. All I put them there for is to make me a little more visible during those times when I don't need headlights on to see, but want to be seen better. I wired them into the side marker lights.

[dapinky]

Bah Humbug.........

....here he comes again, sticking his bloody oar in.......


Personally, I think that the LED strip could be quite a neat idea, however, they wouldn't meet UK Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (1989).

The Rear fog lamp(s) is covered by schedule 2, in particular i was thinking of the bit that says "no more than 2 shall be fitted" when i looked for it, just to see if the LED would count as 'more than 2', but i think it is okay on that score.

Where it will fall foul is on the bit where is has to have an 'Approval Mark', and possibly with the distance between the light source and the brake lamps, and also (maybe) the angle of view - If the strip follows the line of the perspex plate/lamp cover, they may well be shining too far up, and not enough down.

The same considerations may apply to the reversing lamps (schedule 14) but are less of a problem as they are 'optional' and unlikely (barring mechanical failure, or driver error) to be on for long periods, or when driving normally.

Basically, if the fog lamps cause undue dazzle, or are confusing with brake lamps, they aint no good. (sorry)

[Alan_C]

and possibly with the distance between the light source and the brake lamps

I've been a bit confused with this bit of the regulations myself in the past (on kit cars), as quite a few production cars would fail this point, the brake light and the fog lamp being too close together in the cluster. How they were passed I don't know, but fitting one of these stock lamp clusters to my kit car would make it fail the SVA test should the examiner get the measuring stick to them?????

Anyway, looking at the gaps on BB's car last night, the white LED strips would be perfect for reverse lamps, they wouldn't give much light to reverse by, but would give drivers/pedestrians behind the signal that he's reversing, plus tidy the gaps nicely.

[Blue_Bullet]

I think you posted the worng link Tweetdriver lol

Yes Maybe just go for two reverse lights cutlea rather than 1 fog and 1 reverse!

Sticking my oar in?

[dapinky]

Just to clear that bit up, I'll refer you to the Statutory Interpretations

“Angles of visibility”
A requirement for a lamp or reflector fitted to a vehicle to have specified horizontal and vertical angles of visibility is a requirement that at least 50 per cent of the apparent surface must be visible from any point within those angles when every door, tailgate, boot lid, engine cover, cab or other movable part of the vehicle is in the closed position.

"Apparent surface"
For any given direction of observation, is the orthogonal projection of a light-emitting surface in a plane perpendicular to the direction of observation and touching that surface.

“Separation Distance”
In relation to two lamps or two retro reflectors the expression means, except where otherwise specified, the shortest distance between the orthogonal projections in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of the illuminated areas of the two lamps or the reflecting areas of the two reflectors.

“Illuminated area”
The expression, in relation to a headlamp, front fog lamp and reversing lamp, in each case fitted with a reflector, means the orthogonal projection of the full aperture of the reflector on a plane (touching the surface of the lamp) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which the lamp is fitted. If the light-emitting surface extends over only part of the full aperture of the reflector, then the projection of only that part shall be taken into account. In the case of a dipped-beam headlamp, the illuminated area is limited by the apparent trace of the cut-off on the lens.

The expression, in relation to any other lamp, means the part of the orthogonal projection of the light-emitting surface on a plane (touching the surface of the lamp) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which it is fitted, the boundary of which is such that if the straight edge of an opaque screen touches it at any point 98 per cent of the total intensity of the light is shown in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Accordingly, for the purposes of determining the lower, upper and lateral edges of the lamp, only a screen placed with its straight edge horizontally or vertically needs to be considered.


So now we all fully understand exactly what is required - simple really

2 reversing lamps isn't a problem - but you will still need a fog lamp - and the LED's wouldn't meet the regs to be a 'reversing lamp'.

[Blue_Bullet]

Did you see top Gear when they drove this piece of sh1t home made electric car?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfNfwNWWphI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYOXUpNI ... playnext=1

I dont think I am going to have any problems with being legal if Jeff the Hammerhead eagle could pass the MOT.

[rip]

Who said they wouldn'y have had the vehicle towed away for not being road legal?

I would follow Dave P's advice & design your modifications within the law.

[Gee0]

I fitted my Fog and reversing lights behind the grill in to lower rear bumper, and it has passed 2 MOTs since.

FYI It is not a legal requirement for MOT to have a reversing light!!!!!

Just my 2 cent

G

[rip]

FYI It is not a legal requirement for MOT to have a reversing light!!!!!

Blue Bullet hasn't got one

Good to have though, just in case you head backwards under boost.

[tweetdriver63]

I think you posted the worng link Tweetdriver lol

Yes Maybe just go for two reverse lights cutlea rather than 1 fog and 1 reverse!

Sticking my oar in?

funny! I just hit "quote." I didn't even notice that the picture in the original post (of the small, white LED strips) didn't transfer with the quote, and the link is to something entirely diff. Oh well. You get the idea. I was only trying to relate the fact that those little white LED strips, like the ones pictured, don't put out any useful light for actually illuminating anything.

[dapinky]

Yep, as I said before, it's an optional not obligatory light - but if it is fitted, it needs to comply with the relevant regulations.

[Alan_C]

I fitted my Fog and reversing lights behind the grill in to lower rear bumper, and it has passed 2 MOTs since.

FYI It is not a legal requirement for MOT to have a reversing light!!!!!

I'm pretty sure the MOT guys can't fail a car for infringing the construction and use regulations unless it's a part that requires testing and it is sub-standard or dangerous, so for instance if 2 rear fog lamps were fitted they would both have to work to pass, even if they were not correctly CE marked or at the correct height they could not fail them. However, a police officer could report you for having these lamps fitted. Can Dave comment here?

[dapinky]

As far as the MOT goes, this site tells you what is actually tested, and how, what is acceptable, and what isn't.

Suffice to say, the wording isn't anywhere as strict as the Lighting Regs (your average mechanic isn't often as verbose as your average Barrister), however, the introduction to the manual states that Lighting Regs, Con & Use Regs etc should be read as per the Legislation.

That said, the average Tester doesn't have access to all the Regs, so goes from the manual.

As such, you may well get a more lenient approach from the MOT man.

The VOSA examiners who do VIC tests etc are a different matter

Old Bill can still give you a ticket, but most wouldn't have too much of a clue, especially if you stated that it passed an MOT like it.

Surprisingly, the only Regs which don't have to comply for an MOT test are Licensing Regs, which covers number plates - hence an illegal number plate which is readable will still pass an MOT as long as it doesn't cause danger to other road users!!

[lotos]

Man they do lot of stuff for your fifty pounds - I pay about $30 alone for the local-gov't-mandated tailpipe emissions test. It's the only type of inspection done around here, and with some of the cars on the road, I wish they were a bit stricter.

[Blue_Bullet]

Just to clear that bit up, I'll refer you to the Statutory Interpretations

“Angles of visibility”
A requirement for a lamp or reflector fitted to a vehicle to have specified horizontal and vertical angles of visibility is a requirement that at least 50 per cent of the apparent surface must be visible from any point within those angles when every door, tailgate, boot lid, engine cover, cab or other movable part of the vehicle is in the closed position.

"Apparent surface"
For any given direction of observation, is the orthogonal projection of a light-emitting surface in a plane perpendicular to the direction of observation and touching that surface.

“Separation Distance”
In relation to two lamps or two retro reflectors the expression means, except where otherwise specified, the shortest distance between the orthogonal projections in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of the illuminated areas of the two lamps or the reflecting areas of the two reflectors.

“Illuminated area”
The expression, in relation to a headlamp, front fog lamp and reversing lamp, in each case fitted with a reflector, means the orthogonal projection of the full aperture of the reflector on a plane (touching the surface of the lamp) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which the lamp is fitted. If the light-emitting surface extends over only part of the full aperture of the reflector, then the projection of only that part shall be taken into account. In the case of a dipped-beam headlamp, the illuminated area is limited by the apparent trace of the cut-off on the lens.

The expression, in relation to any other lamp, means the part of the orthogonal projection of the light-emitting surface on a plane (touching the surface of the lamp) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which it is fitted, the boundary of which is such that if the straight edge of an opaque screen touches it at any point 98 per cent of the total intensity of the light is shown in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Accordingly, for the purposes of determining the lower, upper and lateral edges of the lamp, only a screen placed with its straight edge horizontally or vertically needs to be considered.


So now we all fully understand exactly what is required - simple really

2 reversing lamps isn't a problem - but you will still need a fog lamp - and the LED's wouldn't meet the regs to be a 'reversing lamp'.

Shimples! http://www.comparethemeerkat.com/

[Blue_Bullet]

Hello My name is Aleksandr and I like to drive my lamborghini

[dapinky]

BB,

Without sounding pompous, threatening, or anything else.....

VOSA do matter - they are the blokes who do the roadside random vehicle checks with the Old Bill.

If your MOT mnan is passing cars which deserve to fail, then he will no doubt sllep well when a car with dodgy bits kills someone (unless I take his licence off him first!).

The rules are there for a reason - basically so a grease monkey can follow simple rules which don't have to make sence to him, but matter in relation to the laws of the land, or the laws of physics. (no intent to imply mechanics are stupid, sorry if I offend anyone with the comments made).

As for just turning off lights for the MOT - it may get you a ticket at the garage, but it would definately get you a ticket at the stop-check! - If FITTED, they have to comply (fitted means attached, not fully operational

Lastly, don't assume that just because you have Insurance, Tax and MOT that it makes you legal - IT DON'T.

Neons are illegal.(depending on which direction any emmitted or reflected light comes from/goes to)




Anyway, I've now told you what the law requires, what you do is up to you, but I'd rather NOT be following you on a convoy into Malvern - it could be either embarassing, dangerous or very upsetting for one of us.

[Blue_Bullet]

WoW