Daytime running lights - super bright LEDS

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue May 03, 2011 11:15 am

the fuss about fog lamps is that you cannot legally use them in other than wet / inclement conditions- therefore they are at best a part time ersatz solution for being seen.

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Tue May 03, 2011 11:27 am

i understand the legalities of using fog lamps, and the "adverse weather conditions" phrase used by the RTA here in NSW.

BUT, there are many things that piss me off more than fog lamps.

brake lights out i think is a far bigger problem, headlights out, people who dont know how to indicate...

these are real PROBLEMS which are causing accidents....

on the rare occasion i can see how a fog lamp could help to increase the chance of an accident..... but overall, who gives a sh*t....

Get onto the real problems first before you start worring about if the weather conditions are inclement enough to garner more lights.

just dumb

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Tue May 03, 2011 12:04 pm

Its simple really, the law is a farce.

If you are allowed to drive around with your headlights on during the day you should be allowed to drive with your foglights during the day.

Change the bulbs in my fogs and suddenly I have DRL, its a load of crap.

Andrew · Postby **Andrew** » Tue May 03, 2011 7:24 pm

Saw a classic tonight, Commodore with headlight and driving lights both on....nothng out of the nor there, although the driving light on the LHS wasnt working and the headlight on the RHS also not working.......kind of balanced it all out i suppose :oops:

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 10:49 am

Mr Morlock wrote:I do not think a fog lamp can be converted to a drls because the optics are not the same and bulbs are not compatible. It would be good if a purpose built drl could go where the fogs are mounted. Narva 71930 is a led drl but it requires an opening of 90mm which is bigger by around 10mm than the foggy. Another option is merely the strip type leds and Narva ones are around 150 x 45mm incl bracket- grille opening only choice? Maybe some other good units are available esp since it is catching on. Done well - looking like it is part of the design would be a really useful mod. Incidentally Narva and Hella units will be ADR approved so fully legal.

Resurecting an old thread Mr M, but I was hoping for a clarification of the Laws in Victoria regarding the above.
Thanks in advance.
Greg.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:41 pm

DRLs are covered by ADR 76. There is a set of dimensions that has to be complied with but I cannot lay my hand on them. I did find the WA Govt rules and Vic is probably the same. Its a job I still want to do. The WA rules says not > 250 in height not > 400 from sides an 600 between the lamps from inner edge but this can be reduced to 400 if the car is < 1300 wide. LED type is the only way to go in my opinion- the incandescent are virtually obsolete technology.

There is talk of making them mandatory for new vehicles- there is a report on this and other safety issues pub 2009 - I have not read it but just the bit on drls.

These are a definite safety feature- given a choice I reckon this is more desirable than foggies.

I am inclined to think quality lamps are the best bet but they are exxy. Philips have a nice unit plug and play but retail around $200. Narva have a few units Hella too. If you look at the OE cars like Mercs they have excellent drls- easy to see and nice designs. Some aftermarket drls seem to have a poor output ie not very bright.

The rules have not changed re operation eg on with ignition off with park. If the lights meet ADR and they are mounted correctly ht width etc then they can be added to a vehicle.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:20 pm

Thanks again Mr M,
Best.
Greg.
P.S. It's sad to think that as such a small nation (Population wise), we are governed by so many different sets of rules :roll:

.
I have just purchased a kit, including auto on/off (less the hassle of building a circuit) and the packaging makes a vague reference to the reg's ,the Police Officer that I spoke with on Saturday morning knew little about the laws, beyond the fact that I was in breach because I was using fog lamps and parking lights as DRL's.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:53 pm

I can say with absolute confidence that fog lamps do not dazzle if set normally but the rules preclude their use except under foggy or extreme conditions. A fog lamp incorrectly set is no where near as bad as a headlamp incorrectly set ie too high. A large % of drivers have no idea of the law on this just the same as parking laws and many other things. The Police simply cannot know every regulation and that works probably more in drivers favour than against. I would be very interested to see how Taminga gets on with his installation. These things are really a good idea.

I have mixed views on regulations and rules but we are certainly far better off than unregulated countries where driving is very dangerous. I do object to laws whose purpose only seems to be about revenue.

Aussie Stig · Postby **Aussie Stig** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:14 pm

I want to run blue leds in my parkers. I think they would make distinctive daytime lights.

Are there any legal issues with doing this?

Of course I want to be seen but there is no point in getting unwanted attention from the Police.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:42 pm

Aussie Stig wrote:I want to run blue leds in my parkers. I think they would make distinctive daytime lights.

Are there any legal issues with doing this?

Of course I want to be seen but there is no point in getting unwanted attention from the Police.

I believe that legally all forward facing lights should only show white, but it doesn't say much for all of those trucks that are illuminated like Madame La Rue pinball machines.
Greg.

PAU61L · Postby **PAU61L** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:33 am

I think it is illegal to have blue lights on a moving vehicle

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:53 am

Aussie Stig wrote:I want to run blue leds in my parkers. I think they would make distinctive daytime lights.

Are there any legal issues with doing this?

Of course I want to be seen but there is no point in getting unwanted attention from the Police.

Jaycar have a good range of LED (white and coloured) inserts, I have replaced the incandescent globes in both my car and my ute and am pleased with the results.
Greg.
(If you go down this route, remember that LED's are polarity sensistive).

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:02 am

the laws on colour are really easy- white ( clear) amber and red. Blue lights are not legal. The whole purpose of lighting is certainty. If you see a flashing amber light you know a car is turning and red light is the back of a car for visibiity and stop etc. Front facing lights are clear (white). The drls also have as a requirement of the ADR a maximum light output same logic for tail lights. A quality drl provides far better visibility than parkers or fogs and of course drawing very little power but there seems little interest for aftermarket fitment.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:01 am

Blue lights are reserved for police vehicles.
Give it a go...

Aussie Stig · Postby **Aussie Stig** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:58 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:the laws on colour are really easy- white ( clear) amber and red. Blue lights are not legal. The whole purpose of lighting is certainty. If you see a flashing amber light you know a car is turning and red light is the back of a car for visibiity and stop etc. Front facing lights are clear (white).

Old Honda Odyssey - blue OEM headlight lense
Nissan 4wd, (I think X-trail) had a blue OEM lense insert.
Lightforce spotties have clear blue lense covers.

Just a few from memory. So how can they get away with it :?: