Thread: Driving lights on roof rack

Isn't it amazing, a forum member asks about how to neatly wire some lights and every amateur cop is on here about legality.

Jeff

They quote the rules in this argument every time and then misinterpret them.

Roof mounted aren't illegal if installed correctly.

Now... Onto the question..

A clean and neat solution is a grommet through the rear panel.

A more elegant solution - military style coupling in same spot!

Now I might have missed the point, but looking at ADR 13/00, section 7:

7. INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS
The following individual requirements are supplementary to the requirements of Appendix A. Where the installation of a lamp is indicated as optional, this means that it is not mandatory to fit the lamp, but if fitted, the lamp(s) are required to comply.

7.3. ?DRIVING LAMPS?

7.3.1. Presence: Optional on motor vehicles. Prohibited on trailers.

7.3.2. Number:

7.3.2.1. Two or four.

7.3.2.2. To be used in conjunction with headlamps.

7.3.3. Arrangement:

No individual specifications

7.3.4. Position:

7.3.4.1. In width no individual specifications.

7.3.4.2. In height: no individual specifications.

7.3.4.3. In length: at the front of the vehicle and fitted in such a way that the light emitted does not cause discomfort to the driver either directly or indirectly through the rear-view mirrors and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle.

7.3.5. Geometric visibility:

No individual specifications.

7.3.6. Orientation:

Towards the front.

7.3.7. Electrical connections:

The driving lamps must be able to be lighted only when the main-beam headlamps switch is in the ?lamps on? position.

7.3.8. Tell tale: No requirement.

7.3.9. Others:

The aggregate maximum intensity of the main-beam headlamps as specified in paragraph 6.1.9.1 of Appendix A can be exceeded with the fitment and illumination of driving lamps. Driving lamps do not have to comply with ADR 46/?.

The real questions is what is a 'driving lamp'? I can't find info on 'spot lights' or 'driving lights' or 'LED lights'

ImageUploadedByAULRO1432443756.992216.jpg

On my disco I ran the wires down the inside of the snorkel ( the side that's bolted to the car , and into the engine bay

As for the legal eagles on the Internet

I was on the ferry to Morton and parked behind a Qld transport inspector car
I asked him about roof lights due to I knew everyone would have an option on here when a pic of my Disco came up.
He told me they are no problem but must be wired in and can't be used on the road and are for off road use. Must have a switch on the dash for them.

Ali

Originally Posted by Jeff

Isn't it amazing, a forum member asks about how to neatly wire some lights and every amateur cop is on here about legality.

Jeff

Originally Posted by Tombie

They quote the rules in this argument every time and then misinterpret them.

Roof mounted aren't illegal if installed correctly.

Sorry if I offended anyone.. A couple of people had asked about legality and as the original question had been answered pretty well I didn't think linking to the actual regulations rather than speculation would be unhelpful.

I've posted things on this forum before that people have picked up as being potentially illegal - I modified it so that it as OK and I'm very thankful to them for saving me a lot of hassle and potentially a fine!

anyway, as you were

Slightly off topic but just wanted to voice an idea I'd had. If you need to run power to several lights on the roof rack and want to have the ability to control them all individually (eg driving lights, camping lights, reversing lights) but don't want heaps of wires running up to the rack, I have been toying with the idea of hiding a 'control box' full of relays up under the roof rack and then running dual core cable for power and a smaller multicore cable for controlling the relays. Then, from the control box you run all cables for your lights.
Also, if there are spare wires in the multicore cable it's very easy to add stuff to the roof rack as you don't have to run wires through the car all over again; just take power from the control box and use another wire from the multiform to control the relay.
Honestly have no idea how beneficial this would be, just something that I have been considering. Should be able to reduce voltage drop though as you can run a thick cable for power which probably won't be powering more than two lights at any one time (but has the capability to power all), then switch to smaller wires once you're on the roof rack.

Please tell me what you think.

Originally Posted by flagg

Sorry if I offended anyone.. A couple of people had asked about legality and as the original question had been answered pretty well I didn't think linking to the actual regulations rather than speculation would be unhelpful.

I've posted things on this forum before that people have picked up as being potentially illegal - I modified it so that it as OK and I'm very thankful to them for saving me a lot of hassle and potentially a fine!

anyway, as you were

All good Mr Flagg... And You did it with all the right intent...

Put simply, it is the discretion of the officer that pulls you up whether or not the vehicle is "roadworthy"... Its then up to you to present the vehicle for inspection. This may or may not be right in anyones eyes, and has been abused in the past.. But there are sometimes a few rotten apples in any barrel..

The biggest thing about not ever being hassled is how you present yourself and your vehicle... A scrappy looking vehicle will always draw attention (Like an old Commodore )

I know every officer I've met / know has at some stage commented on the "attitude test" - how you react when pulled over can greatly set the tone and outcome of the forthcoming discussion

Legally - roof lights need a separate switch and need to operate only when the High Beam is active...