Selective yellow Headlights
Discussion
Morning all.
Anyone experiences these over the years ? Just saw a car who has changed the original lights to these colour.
I remember back in the 80’s they were really common but i’ve never been in or driven a car with them.
Assume they were replaced due to better white lights becoming available ?
Anyone experiences these over the years ? Just saw a car who has changed the original lights to these colour.
I remember back in the 80’s they were really common but i’ve never been in or driven a car with them.
Assume they were replaced due to better white lights becoming available ?
Selective yellow was mandated in France in 1936 or 1937 because lighting technology had advanced and it was less dazzling to oncoming traffic (regardless of the fact it was less effective for the driver), and rescinded in about 1992 because EU.
IME, they're fine in summer, or in streetlit situations, but not so good on dark, unlit roads. But they look cool as f
k, so...
IME, they're fine in summer, or in streetlit situations, but not so good on dark, unlit roads. But they look cool as f
k, so...tim0409 said:
I changed the headlights to yellow on my 2CV and at the time thought it was the coolest thing ever! I use the word “headlight” advisedly as no matter the colour they were a bit rubbish at doing their intended job.
They were there to reduce the risk of normal vehicles simply driving over the top of you.Headlight colour used to be discussed a lot. It was said, and think proven, that yellow lights were less effective- surprise- because they emitted less light. There were also some small French hatchbacks, the sportier ones, which retained yellow fogs, presumably as there is less back glare from mist. ….and didn’t they look good?
Lester H said:
Headlight colour used to be discussed a lot. It was said, and think proven, that yellow lights were less effective- surprise- because they emitted less light. There were also some small French hatchbacks, the sportier ones, which retained yellow fogs, presumably as there is less back glare from mist. ….and didn’t they look good?
Yellow are more effective in some ways, but not raw output: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_yellowWiki said:
A research experiment done in the UK in 1968 using tungsten (non-halogen) lamps found that visual acuity is about 3% better with selective yellow headlamps than with white ones of equal intensity.[9] Research done in the Netherlands in 1976 concluded that yellow and white headlamps are equivalent as regards traffic safety, though yellow light causes less discomfort glare than white light.
These days it's a moot point as the manufacturers just throw loads more light at the problem and don't care about dazzle.Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff