UK Regs

I'm looking to add some spot lights above the windscreens on my 95 disco and I was wondering what the UK Regs were. I'm looking at LED lights.
Many thanks
Gerald

SatcomLandy said:

I'm looking to add some spot lights above the windscreens on my 95 disco and I was wondering what the UK Regs were. I'm looking at LED lights.
Many thanks
Gerald

Click to expand...

You can wire them to main beam so long as they can be independently switched off and they're approved for road use

Has to be between certain wattage/power I belive,

and on a separate circuit

I've got my roof bar lights on entirely separate circuit and switch, same with the 2 on the bumper.

Helps isolate any problems that might arise - you know that only them there LEDs is on their own switch and if they dun't work, thems to blame or the wires or the bucket of electrickety they is drinking from.

......equally spaced in pairs too, I believe?

Such an installation above the windscreen would be unlawful for ordinary road use.
They can be fitted for off-road use, in which case there's no limit to the power and they must be switched separately from the normal vehicle lighting.
Additional spot/driving lights can be fitted to the front of the vehicle, usually below the level of the windscreen and must be fitted in pairs equally spaced around the centreline of the vehicle. The maximum power level to remain within the law should not exceed 55 watts each.
These additional lights can be wired so that they come on with the main beams and off when the dipped beams are in use. Many members also arrange for the lights to be switched off independently.

These look good:

KC HiLiTES® - KC POD HID Lights

Worth more than me car tho'

brian47 said:

Such an installation above the windscreen would be unlawful for ordinary road use.
They can be fitted for off-road use, in which case there's no limit to the power and they must be switched separately from the normal vehicle lighting.
Additional spot/driving lights can be fitted to the front of the vehicle, usually below the level of the windscreen and must be fitted in pairs equally spaced around the centreline of the vehicle. The maximum power level to remain within the law should not exceed 55 watts each.
These additional lights can be wired so that they come on with the main beams and off when the dipped beams are in use. Many members also arrange for the lights to be switched off independently.

Click to expand...

Which law requires that? The only stuff I can find in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations regarding 'optional main beam lamps' doesn't mention any kind of height requirements - but does say they have to be white, and in a matched pair. The only height requirements I can find are for dipped beam lamps, which you are only allowed one pair of (i.e. the proper headlamps), and fog lamps, both of which must be below 1200mm from the road.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/5/made

I'm quite prepared to be proven wrong though!

brian47 said:

Such an installation above the windscreen would be unlawful for ordinary road use.
They can be fitted for off-road use, in which case there's no limit to the power and they must be switched separately from the normal vehicle lighting.
Additional spot/driving lights can be fitted to the front of the vehicle, usually below the level of the windscreen and must be fitted in pairs equally spaced around the centreline of the vehicle. The maximum power level to remain within the law should not exceed 55 watts each.
These additional lights can be wired so that they come on with the main beams and off when the dipped beams are in use. Many members also arrange for the lights to be switched off independently.

Click to expand...

Wrong, this has been done many times over, they can be used as additional main beam so long as they're marked road legal, matched pairs (or centred if a strip)

Requirements relating to optional main-beam headlamps

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I and, in the case of a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1991, paragraph 5 of Part I.

7. Colour:
White or yellow
10. Electrical connections–

(a) Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed that the light emitted therefrom–

(i)can be deflected at the will of the driver to become a dipped beam, or

(ii)can be extinguished by the operation of a device which at the same time either–

(A)causes the lamp to emit a dipped beam, or

(B)causes another lamp to emit a dipped beam.

(b) Where a matched pair of main-beam headlamps is fitted they shall be capable of being switched on and off simultaneously and not otherwise.

12. Other requirements–

(a) Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed that the direction of the beam of light emitted therefrom can be adjusted whilst the vehicle is stationary.

The after 91 bit is that they have to be kite marked.



In other words anywhere on the vehicle pointing forwards, operated through the dip switch so will be extinguished when dipping beam