regulations regarding wiring in spots/driving lights/ fog lights

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T

Tom Woods

Guest
ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
lights.

the 101 has a pair of lights below the headlights (they are square and
have spotlight bulbs in).
Can i just have them on an independant switch or is there anything
like going off with main beam that they need to do?
should i get clever and wire them in one a 3 position switch so i can
have [off, on with low beam, always on]?


(Steve - i decided that full wiring loom planning was just too
daunting so am creating an ad-hoc plan as i run wires in!. you are
welcome to a copy afterwards!)


 
In message <[email protected]>
Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:

> ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
> any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
> lights.

You have to diferentiate between fog, driving and spot lights. Any
lights that exceed the max for standard headlights (i.e. spot lights)
are legal if they are wired such that they only come on when main
beam is on. There are regs about maximum and minimum heights etc
for head/fog/driving lights that would presumambly apply to
additional ones.

<snip>

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive
 
On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:09:25 +0100, beamendsltd
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In message <[email protected]>
> Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
>> any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
>> lights.
>
>You have to diferentiate between fog, driving and spot lights. Any
>lights that exceed the max for standard headlights (i.e. spot lights)
>are legal if they are wired such that they only come on when main
>beam is on. There are regs about maximum and minimum heights etc
>for head/fog/driving lights that would presumambly apply to
>additional ones.

how do i diffrentiate between my front lower spots being driving
lights of fog lights then?
im not sure they actually had that high a wattage bulbs in. they bay
have only been 60w.

if i had them wired so that they were off/on with main/on always would
that be MOTable?

 
In message <[email protected]>
Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:09:25 +0100, beamendsltd
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >In message <[email protected]>
> > Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
> >> any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
> >> lights.
> >
> >You have to diferentiate between fog, driving and spot lights. Any
> >lights that exceed the max for standard headlights (i.e. spot lights)
> >are legal if they are wired such that they only come on when main
> >beam is on. There are regs about maximum and minimum heights etc
> >for head/fog/driving lights that would presumambly apply to
> >additional ones.
>
> how do i diffrentiate between my front lower spots being driving
> lights of fog lights then?
> im not sure they actually had that high a wattage bulbs in. they bay
> have only been 60w.
>

I think it's something to do with the "shape" of the beam - fog
lights are intended to give a beam that will cut through the fog
and are quite bright (hence they can't be used when it isn't foggy),
driving lights are quite diffuse, and their only function is to
warn other road users about the driving standards of the driver ;-)

> if i had them wired so that they were off/on with main/on always would
> that be MOTable?

Generally speaking, if they come only with main beam then you've
got no problem, if they can be on at other times then it would
depend on whether they are fog or driving lights - not that I've
see an MOTer check that that I can remember!

>

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive
 

"beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:b6b1cf484e%[email protected]...
> In message <[email protected]>
> Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:09:25 +0100, beamendsltd
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > >In message <[email protected]>
> > > Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >
> > >> ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
> > >> any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
> > >> lights.
> > >
> > >You have to diferentiate between fog, driving and spot lights. Any
> > >lights that exceed the max for standard headlights (i.e. spot lights)
> > >are legal if they are wired such that they only come on when main
> > >beam is on. There are regs about maximum and minimum heights etc
> > >for head/fog/driving lights that would presumambly apply to
> > >additional ones.
> >
> > how do i diffrentiate between my front lower spots being driving
> > lights of fog lights then?
> > im not sure they actually had that high a wattage bulbs in. they bay
> > have only been 60w.
> >
Fog lights are a spread beam usually below 500mm from the road and only to
be used 'in conditions of fog and falling snow'. I can't see that these
can't be switched separately as it is pointless to blinded by glare from
your own headlights in the fog.
I would think the lights would be above this height on a 101" so I would
treat them as spot/driving lamps. As has been said I think they have to be
switched in with the main but can be switched off separately. Also I think
you can have unlimited wattage on a vehicle registered before some lighting
regulations from around October 1978 came in but not sure on that!

Martin

>
> I think it's something to do with the "shape" of the beam - fog
> lights are intended to give a beam that will cut through the fog
> and are quite bright (hence they can't be used when it isn't foggy),
> driving lights are quite diffuse, and their only function is to
> warn other road users about the driving standards of the driver ;-)
>
> > if i had them wired so that they were off/on with main/on always would
> > that be MOTable?
>
> Generally speaking, if they come only with main beam then you've
> got no problem, if they can be on at other times then it would
> depend on whether they are fog or driving lights - not that I've
> see an MOTer check that that I can remember!
>
> >
>
> Richard
>
> --
> www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
> RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
> Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive


 
On or around Tue, 18 Jul 2006 18:16:49 +0100, Tom Woods
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
>any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
>lights.

front fog lights: only for use INSTEAD of dipped beam in conditions of
reduced visibility - generally accepted this means less than 100 yds. Most
vehicles are wired so they come on with sidelights or dipped beam, though.
Should have a warning lamp on the dash - I would make it law that they can
only be on with sidelights and that the dipped beam and front fog lamps are
mutually exclusive, if it were my choice...

Driving lamps/spot lamps: any number allowed and can be switched
individually but all lamps over 7W must go out when you switch main beam
off, i.e. when dipped or on sidelights.

All lamps must form symmetrical pairs when illuminated.


You can have chapter and verse of Road Vehicles (Lighting) Regulations 1989
(I think) if you want. The above is a quick summary.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"If you cannot mould yourself as you would wish, how can you expect
other people to be entirely to your liking?"
Thomas À Kempis (1380 - 1471) Imitation of Christ, I.xvi.
 
On or around Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:02:46 +0100, "Oily"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>
>"beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:b6b1cf484e%[email protected]...
>> In message <[email protected]>
>> Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> > On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:09:25 +0100, beamendsltd
>> > <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> > >In message <[email protected]>
>> > > Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if there are
>> > >> any regulations about the switching of spot light/fog lights/driving
>> > >> lights.
>> > >
>> > >You have to diferentiate between fog, driving and spot lights. Any
>> > >lights that exceed the max for standard headlights (i.e. spot lights)
>> > >are legal if they are wired such that they only come on when main
>> > >beam is on. There are regs about maximum and minimum heights etc
>> > >for head/fog/driving lights that would presumambly apply to
>> > >additional ones.
>> >
>> > how do i diffrentiate between my front lower spots being driving
>> > lights of fog lights then?
>> > im not sure they actually had that high a wattage bulbs in. they bay
>> > have only been 60w.
>> >
>Fog lights are a spread beam usually below 500mm from the road and only to
>be used 'in conditions of fog and falling snow'. I can't see that these
>can't be switched separately as it is pointless to blinded by glare from
>your own headlights in the fog.
>I would think the lights would be above this height on a 101" so I would
>treat them as spot/driving lamps. As has been said I think they have to be
>switched in with the main but can be switched off separately. Also I think
>you can have unlimited wattage on a vehicle registered before some lighting
>regulations from around October 1978 came in but not sure on that!

front fogs can be at any height these days but dipped heads must be between
500 and 1200 mm from the ground, IIRC. It's against C&U to have front fogs
and dipped heads on simultaneously, I think, and it's also pointless unless
you're a chav.

If it's foggy enough actually to NEED the front fogs, then dipped heads are
no use. FWIW, you've got to be talking the sort of fog that you can't see
as far as the normal dipped beam pattern goes before front fogs are really
useful.

Actually, the main use of front fogs these days seems to be to allow the
rest of us to identify chavs at a quick glance.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
If all be true that I do think, There are five reasons we should drink;
Good wine, a friend, or being dry, Or lest we should be by and by;
Or any other reason why. - Henry Aldrich (1647 - 1710)
 
Austin Shackles wrote:
> On or around Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:02:46 +0100, "Oily"
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>>
>> "beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:b6b1cf484e%[email protected]...
>>> In message <[email protected]>
>>> Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:09:25 +0100, beamendsltd
>>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In message <[email protected]>
>>>>> Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> ive started rewiring a bit of the 101, and was wondering if
>>>>>> there are any regulations about the switching of spot
>>>>>> light/fog lights/driving lights.
>>>>>
>>>>> You have to diferentiate between fog, driving and spot lights.
>>>>> Any lights that exceed the max for standard headlights (i.e.
>>>>> spot lights) are legal if they are wired such that they only
>>>>> come on when main beam is on. There are regs about maximum and
>>>>> minimum heights etc
>>>>> for head/fog/driving lights that would presumambly apply to
>>>>> additional ones.
>>>>
>>>> how do i diffrentiate between my front lower spots being driving
>>>> lights of fog lights then?
>>>> im not sure they actually had that high a wattage bulbs in. they
>>>> bay have only been 60w.
>>>>
>> Fog lights are a spread beam usually below 500mm from the road and
>> only to be used 'in conditions of fog and falling snow'. I can't
>> see that these can't be switched separately as it is pointless to
>> blinded by glare from your own headlights in the fog.
>> I would think the lights would be above this height on a 101" so I
>> would treat them as spot/driving lamps. As has been said I think
>> they have to be switched in with the main but can be switched off
>> separately. Also I think you can have unlimited wattage on a
>> vehicle registered before some lighting regulations from around
>> October 1978 came in but not sure on that!
>
> front fogs can be at any height these days but dipped heads must be
> between 500 and 1200 mm from the ground, IIRC. It's against C&U to
> have front fogs and dipped heads on simultaneously, I think, and
> it's also pointless unless you're a chav.
>
> If it's foggy enough actually to NEED the front fogs, then dipped
> heads are no use. FWIW, you've got to be talking the sort of fog
> that you can't see as far as the normal dipped beam pattern goes
> before front fogs are really useful.
>
> Actually, the main use of front fogs these days seems to be to
> allow the rest of us to identify chavs at a quick glance.

little ****ers, they blind you daft. But they call them 'drivin' lite's innit'


 

"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> It's against C&U to have front fogs
> and dipped heads on simultaneously,
That's because you're only allowed one pair of lights when on dipped beam
but it wasn't always the case IIRC
>
> If it's foggy enough actually to NEED the front fogs, then dipped heads
are
> no use. FWIW, you've got to be talking the sort of fog that you can't see
> as far as the normal dipped beam pattern goes before front fogs are really
> useful.
But we don't get those sort of fogs anymore though and the fog lights were
usually yellow to reduce glare.
>
> Actually, the main use of front fogs these days seems to be to allow the
> rest of us to identify chavs at a quick glance.
>
Now you've made me spill my tea!

Martin.


 
On or around Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:22:36 +0100, "Oily"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>> Actually, the main use of front fogs these days seems to be to allow the
>> rest of us to identify chavs at a quick glance.
>>
>Now you've made me spill my tea!

My work here is done :)
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
In Touch: Get in touch with yourself by touching yourself.
If somebody is watching, stop touching yourself.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.
 
I wonder how many MOT testers check such things?

I have roof mounted lights wired to the main beam, but I wonder if anyone
would take any notice if they were not.

The point with fog lights is to cast a beam with a flat low cut off that
should not dazzle. The problem with driving in fog on ordinary lights being
that the water droplets reflect the beam back to oneself so the point of
fogs is not to avoid dazzling other road users so much as to avoid dazzling
oneself. For an effective (rather than legal) fog light the height is
dependant upon the vehicle, however I would suppose that it makes sence as a
matter of general principle not to have any light that can dazzle oncoming
traffic, that cannot be extinguished when one dips.


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes



"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> On or around Tue, 18 Jul 2006 18:16:49 +0100, Tom Woods
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
> front fog lights: only for use INSTEAD of dipped beam in conditions of
> reduced visibility - generally accepted this means less than 100 yds.
Most
> vehicles are wired so they come on with sidelights or dipped beam, though.
> Should have a warning lamp on the dash - I would make it law that they can
> only be on with sidelights and that the dipped beam and front fog lamps
are
> mutually exclusive, if it were my choice...
>
> Driving lamps/spot lamps: any number allowed and can be switched
> individually but all lamps over 7W must go out when you switch main beam
> off, i.e. when dipped or on sidelights.
>
> All lamps must form symmetrical pairs when illuminated.
>
>
> You can have chapter and verse of Road Vehicles (Lighting) Regulations
1989
> (I think) if you want. The above is a quick summary.
> --
> Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
> "If you cannot mould yourself as you would wish, how can you expect
> other people to be entirely to your liking?"
> Thomas À Kempis (1380 - 1471) Imitation of Christ, I.xvi.


 
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