Vehicle lighting, auxiliary main beam lights.

[FiF]

Have been investigating fitting some spots to the front of my FL2, which isn't easy as is the case with most modern SUV vehicles unless you install a "bull bar" type of arrangement.

Now my understanding of the regs concerning auxiliary main beam lamps comes from Road Vehicle Lighting Regs 1989 as amended. Basically the only restrictions are colour, white/yellow; connection, must automatically extinguish when dipped beam selected and; mounting, must be capable of angle etc adjusted when vehicle stationary. All else is free, no restriction on number etc.

So having sorted out how going mount them then went on to figure out which lamp units for favourite setup which is a row of 3 lights, centre pencil spot down the centre of the road, two slightly wider beam driving lamps angled slightly outwards picking up verges.

So trawling round Hella's site encountered ECE numbers. ??

Seems that these are something introduced by consolidation of vehicle design, it's a UN thing as opposed to EU. Though as the EU have taken it onboard it then takes supremacy over national regs. Or does it which is the reason for the post.

Hella and these regs say that the maximum aggregate ECE numbers of main beam lights fitted must not exceed 100. Which would make my proposed setup illegal even before taking into account the original 55w main beams fitted as new. Can't find the ECE numbers for those anyway.

Also the regs say lamps must be fitted in pairs and no more than 4 to be illuminated at anyone one time. Goods vehicles class N3 can fit an extra pair, but must still only illuminate 4 max. So they can have 4 auxiliaries fitted, as opposed to cars, say, which can only have two. But if the lorry lights all 4 auxiliaries then they have to turn the headlights off. There are even diagrams to show that my interpretation is correct.

So my questions are, is ECE R48 only for new vehicle approvals or does it apply generally? Hella isn't clear on this and I'm not sure either having had a good look round.

Let's face it, not wishing to turn it into a UKIP thread, there's enough of those, but UK civil servants have history of gold plating regulations from EU and elsewhere that other countries tend to ignore.

So is it just new vehicle type approvals or not. If the latter will carry on with my plans. Will do a second post with some information links in a minute.

[Shaw Tarse]

I think you're already a member of another website where people have fitted spotlights?
I'm not keen on the White car

[FiF]

Very long and tedious.
The UNECE regs


Hella overview which differs from the official document in some ways. Eg states maximum aggregate of ECE ref to be 75. Regs state max of 100.

Hella pdf


VCA confirmation it's in place for new vehicles.
Possibly in force when my vehicle was first registered but not when type approval performed.
VCAstatus

See peak beam intensity section
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/cod...

[Centurion07]

Is it really likely your local MOT tester is going to look at your spotlights and start asking questions? My bet is he's not going to give a st, that's if he's even aware of the rules you're worried about.

No help I know, but if it were me, I'd just stick 'em on.

[FiF]

Shaw Tarse said:

I think you're already a member of another website where people have fitted spotlights?
I'm not keen on the White car

If you're referring to FreeL2 site then yes I am a member.

White car?

Doing it doesn't mean it's legal which is why asked in SP&L. Plus that site isn't that phone friendly. Not impossible to use but difficult one has found.

[GC8]

Ive spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for this image:

[Who me ?]

I've seen more than a few posts recently showering our BIB community with nasties. However, I moved to work in London in the late 60's and FOG was a constant problem, so I got a pair of lamps, one fog, one driving. Both were from a well known maker with a flat beam ,and I'd no idea of fitting. One day ,I spotted a Traffic bod sitting at the side of the road, and decided to ask for help. He couldn't have been more helpful. Fog on NS, slightly pointed to kerb, driving one set a bit ahead on OS ,to light up path ahead, both set low, to light up underneath fog. I'd suspect said Trafpol is now piloting a pair of wings, but months later, I was caught on the A69 in driving snow, where the lights lit up road under the blizzard and I got to Newcastle to the A1/A1M with no problems. On main beans, I was blind as the snow reflected light in my face. .