Another Lighting Question
Discussion
My old-school volvo 740 (
) has proper daytime running lights, none of this always on sidelight/dipped beam malarky you get on the modern ones.
At the moment, they come off when you turn on either sidelights or real headlights (presumably for a reason!). Would it be legal to wire them to come on with the headlights? They have the advantage of lighting the sides of the car very well, which would be useful for quick cornering in the dark...
) has proper daytime running lights, none of this always on sidelight/dipped beam malarky you get on the modern ones. At the moment, they come off when you turn on either sidelights or real headlights (presumably for a reason!). Would it be legal to wire them to come on with the headlights? They have the advantage of lighting the sides of the car very well, which would be useful for quick cornering in the dark...
Edited by imbecile on Tuesday 22 August 02:11
I'd say not legal, RVLR 1989 Schedule 3 Part 1
SCHEDULE 3
PART I
requirements relating to obligatory dim-dip devices and running lamps
1. A dim-dip device fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall cause light to be emitted from the dipped-beam filament of each obligatory dipped-beam headlamp, each such light having, so far as is practicable, an intensity of between 10 and 20 per cent of the intensity of the normal dipped beam.
2. Running lamps fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall be in the form of a matched pair of front lamps, each of which-
(a) is fitted in a position in which an obligatory front position lamp may lawfully be fitted, and
(b) is capable of emitting white light to the front having an intensity of not less than 200 candelas, measured from directly in front of the centre of the lamp in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and of not more than 800 candelas in any direction.
3. The electrical connections to the obligatory dim-dip device or running lamps, as the case may be, shall be such that the light output specified in paragraph 1 or 2 above is emitted automatically whenever-
(a) the engine of the vehicle is running, or the key or devices which control the starting or stopping of the engine are in the normal position for driving the vehicle, and
(i) the obligatory position lamps, but not the headlamps, of the vehicle are switched on, or
(ii) the obligatory position lamps are switched off.
Willing to be corrected though.
Then of course there is the acid test which relates to any light namely
Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road.
PS I was only pulling your leg on the other thread re police porpoises.....
SCHEDULE 3
PART I
requirements relating to obligatory dim-dip devices and running lamps
1. A dim-dip device fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall cause light to be emitted from the dipped-beam filament of each obligatory dipped-beam headlamp, each such light having, so far as is practicable, an intensity of between 10 and 20 per cent of the intensity of the normal dipped beam.
2. Running lamps fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall be in the form of a matched pair of front lamps, each of which-
(a) is fitted in a position in which an obligatory front position lamp may lawfully be fitted, and
(b) is capable of emitting white light to the front having an intensity of not less than 200 candelas, measured from directly in front of the centre of the lamp in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and of not more than 800 candelas in any direction.
3. The electrical connections to the obligatory dim-dip device or running lamps, as the case may be, shall be such that the light output specified in paragraph 1 or 2 above is emitted automatically whenever-
(a) the engine of the vehicle is running, or the key or devices which control the starting or stopping of the engine are in the normal position for driving the vehicle, and
(i) the obligatory position lamps, but not the headlamps, of the vehicle are switched on, or
(ii) the obligatory position lamps are switched off.
Willing to be corrected though.
Then of course there is the acid test which relates to any light namely
Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road.
PS I was only pulling your leg on the other thread re police porpoises.....
Oh Streaky, now you've got me confused. Would I not agree... ??
Are you asking me if I disagree or agree with you? :ahem:
Maybe the significant word is highlighted below
(i) the obligatory position lamps, but not the headlamps, of the vehicle are switched on, or
(ii) the obligatory position lamps are switched off.
as in his headlights are wired so as to conform with ii)
If the dim dip/running lights had to do both it would have said
i) bla bla bla and
ii) bla bla bla
I think that is a correct interpretation.
The regs, as usual, seem to be written as a model of clarity.... not.
On the other hand, nothing to stop OP wiring them up in conjunction with main beam.
To be honest there are so many variations in regs C&U EU all snot-ravelled together etc that its a nightmare to keep up, never mind keeping the legislation up to date. Blooming EU.
For example some Mercs have cornering lights, which is something I have seen in the States but I would say in UK are illegal. Basically at night when one turns the steering the front fog light lights up on the side towards which one is turning.
So going straight on at a roundabout and carefully keeping in lane one gets,
LH fog on>
LH fog off then RH fog on >
RH fog off and LH fog on >
LH fog off.
Any opinions from them that know better than I? I think it is illegal but I bet there is something hidden in C&U type approval, EU regulation 12567/2004 Schedule T, table 7c column 5 (as amended.)
FiF
Are you asking me if I disagree or agree with you? :ahem:
Maybe the significant word is highlighted below
(i) the obligatory position lamps, but not the headlamps, of the vehicle are switched on, or
(ii) the obligatory position lamps are switched off.
as in his headlights are wired so as to conform with ii)
If the dim dip/running lights had to do both it would have said
i) bla bla bla and
ii) bla bla bla
I think that is a correct interpretation.
The regs, as usual, seem to be written as a model of clarity.... not.
On the other hand, nothing to stop OP wiring them up in conjunction with main beam.
To be honest there are so many variations in regs C&U EU all snot-ravelled together etc that its a nightmare to keep up, never mind keeping the legislation up to date. Blooming EU.
For example some Mercs have cornering lights, which is something I have seen in the States but I would say in UK are illegal. Basically at night when one turns the steering the front fog light lights up on the side towards which one is turning.
So going straight on at a roundabout and carefully keeping in lane one gets,
LH fog on>
LH fog off then RH fog on >
RH fog off and LH fog on >
LH fog off.
Any opinions from them that know better than I? I think it is illegal but I bet there is something hidden in C&U type approval, EU regulation 12567/2004 Schedule T, table 7c column 5 (as amended.)
FiF
Edited by Flat in Fifth on Tuesday 22 August 20:54
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