Standard Fog Lights

[Aussie]

I've been thinking of upping the wattage on the standard fog lights on the P38. Just wondering if this is possible?

[Sprint]

probably..... but why? how often do you have to drive when its foggy?

[PhilipA]

Are they fog lights or driving lights?
On a classic in Australia they are driving.ie come on with high beam.
If driving why not install a cheap ebay HID kit.
You will probably have to drill a hole in teh back to fit the bulb but they will certainly give more light.
Regards Philip A

[p38arover]

They are fog lights on the P38A.

They are virtually useless at most times. Dunno about in fog as we rarely, if ever, see it.

Their main use is to annoy oncoming drivers or the driver in front of you.

[Aussie]

Thanks for the replies, I was just thinking of using then as driving lights as Ron says they are pretty much useless for anything else. Would it be possible too put higher wattage globes in?

[Junosi]

Not sure what bulbs you'd find that are higher wattage that would fit in there - they're already 55w H3 halogens. Nothing stopping you putting in a HID kit in there though for some serious lumens. Don't think they'll ever be great driving lights though without changing the reflector etc - they're more of a flood light than a spotlight currently imho

[DT-P38]

Just get rid of them and fill the hole with something a similar size but with pencil beams and brighter bulbs (HID upgrades are killer but a bit exxy still - I reckon anyway). Jaycar sell a lot of standard size conversion kits around $250 a pair now, or you could gamble on something out of HK on e-bay at around $80. Either way, I reckon you'd be clever to ensure they are water proof sitting way down there...

[Junosi]

Drop in H3 HID kit from Jaycar for $25 each - not bad I reckon. For the uninitiated - 35w HID is 3 times brighter (in lumens) than standard 55w halogen. Edit: 55w HID brightness is hard to tell the difference with a naked eye from 35w HID - comparing my old car with 55w hids to friends indentical car with 35w hids

12V H3 HID Bulb Single Beam - Jaycar Electronics (http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SL3411&CATID=24&form=CAT&SUBCATID=375)


Might try that myself now I've gone and had a look :D

edit: er, scratch that $25 - didn't include ballasts - with ballasts they're $99 a pair

[Hymie]

Thanks for the replies, I was just thinking of using then as driving lights as Ron says they are pretty much useless for anything else. Would it be possible too put higher wattage globes in?


The reason they are useless is because they are doing what they are designed to do.
Spread a broad, non focused beam of light that is designed not to reflect off Fog. If you alter them beyond their designed standard you will affect the roadworthiness of them.
Please Please Please, whatever you do, don't become one of those ******* who drives around all the time with Fog Lights on.

[parasnoop67]

In Tasmania we get many ******* driving with them on both daytime and night, and they are illegal to use as driving lights.
Driving lights must be wired to high beam and not be on when lights are on low beam.
These lights are too low (close to the ground) to be effective as driving lights
but are quite good as foggies and also good for night 4driving as they light up what you are about to drive over very well.
A quick check of the traffic regs will show whats legal.;)

[p38arover]

Because I haven't seen fog for so long I have never used them in fog (I've only had the P38A for 8 years).

When I did work where we get fog, I had a bull bar attached and thus no fog lights.

I note that in normal conditions, one has to look hard to see any difference after turning them on.

[Aussie]

I have used them once in severe fog conditions when I was up in Kinglake, I must admit they were very good.


Please Please Please, whatever you do, don't become one of those ******* who drives around all the time with Fog Lights on

I can assure you I wouldn't do this as its one of my pet hates. I was mearly looking for an alernative until such times as I have a decent mounting for Spotties. After thinking more about this idea I dont think its feesable as the standard lens would make prohibative.

[pop058]

The reason they are useless is because they are doing what they are designed to do.
Spread a broad, non focused beam of light that is designed not to reflect off Fog. If you alter them beyond their designed standard you will affect the roadworthiness of them.
Please Please Please, whatever you do, don't become one of those ******* who drives around all the time with Fog Lights on.

X 2

[DT-P38]

Sort of throwing the cat amongst the pidgeons... but do you all mean like every new Audi owner and their LED daytime running lights?

B.C. I never had lights on in daylight hours... now that my cargo is a little more precious, I often drive with head lights on. Especially, if its not the peak of the day... you know, like anytime the sun could be behind me or its just a little dim in the area. Just as a (probably OTT!) additional safety measure. The theory being I'd rather be a live and seen tosser than a dead whatever!

What's funny is, even in a big shiny 4WD with lights on, you still get the odd gumby trying to park under you or chop in on you... that's probably Melbourne though, we seem to have a high proportion of gumby drivers!

[Junosi]

Nothing wrong with day running lights or headlights on during the day - it absolutely improves your visibility and safety. Motorbikes and Volvo's have been doing it for years. Defensive driving courses promote it.

Its the dicks that drive at night with extra lights on (spots, fogs etc) that people have a problem with I'm sure - myself included. I thought it was even illegal to have more than one set of main beams on at night, yet you'd never know it from all the plebs getting around with their fogs on.

[PhilipA]

The one that gets me is REAR fog lights on during the night.

Seems to be very exclusive club consisting mainly of Hyundai Excels.

Don't they have a light on the dash? I am tempted to give them high beam in the hope that they may realise that it is very dazzling .

BTW while low down driving lights are not ideal, my Hella 181s with 35watt HIDs in my RRC air dam add a decent amount of light.

The trick is that because they are rectangular the aiming is quite critical as the depth of beam is less than a round light and being low also contributes.

Regards Philip A

[willem]

The one that gets me is REAR fog lights on during the night.


Regards Philip A

Yes! People who do this don't seem to realise that the rear fog light automatically comes on when the front ones are turned on, and the rear fog light is brighter than a normal tail light - about as bright as a brake light. Which gives the wrong message, and is irritating at the same time.

Willem

[PaulP38a]

the rear fog light is brighter than a normal tail light - about as bright as a brake light. Which gives the wrong message, and is irritating at the same time.

True, but the rear fog lights on the Rangie are very useful when being tailgated by some idiot in a WRX... just a shame that I can't see their face when I push the button as they lock up ;)

I like the idea of LED day running lights for the P38A and am looking at putting a kit together for mine one day. My Pov Pack has no headlamp wipers so I know where they are going.

Cheers, Paul.