Thread: Spotlights : Number, Size, Location.

Originally posted by Macca
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I noticed you've got your recovery hooks on the flat of the bullbar too. Do you have a big plate underneath, or are they just bolted there?
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This should also cause a bit more debate,

The hooks have a piece of 10mm plate underneath

http://www.aulro.com/albums/album121/DSC00145.jpg


Bushie

I can't go past my 3 rallye 2000 spots.

As for the legality of lights on the roof. I think from when I researched it it was ok if they were only operated from a switch on the light itself, then they are classed as a work light.

From racing mountain bikes at night I find that a light mounted above the head level can confuse you as to how deep holes are but are great for seeing around corners.

Hi all, I think the law in NSW was that added lights operating on a vehicle could not be mounted higher than the vehicles existing headlights ( or words to that effect ). To my knowledge the offence was in operating them not in having them mounted on the vehicle.
And up until a few years ago ( and may still be the case ) in WA, the maximum number of lights that could be illuminated on the front of a vehicle was 6. The law caused a big stir during some around the world rally a few years ago as the WA police at one stage were not going to permit the rally cars to go through WA with all the driving lights they usually have.

I drive on average about 6,000km every month and a large portion of this is at night ( 99% of night driving is on road ) for on road use I find the more light you have the better. It not only makes it safer, it makes night driving easier as you don’t seem to be having to concentrate on what you can’t see as much.

As for white or yellow light, I usually run up to 6 driving lights bull bar only or bull bar and roof combinations and all with 125/130 watt globes. They were always yellow, no matter how bright they were.
But when I bought the Rangy, there was not much space on the bumper bar to mount any more than two additional drivers ( high beams on the Rangy are also driving lights ) I mounted two IPF spots with 130 watt globes.
These were all right but no where near as bright as the 4 Hellas I had on my 2 Discos.
Then about 3 months ago I replaced the 130 watters with Phillips Crystal Vision H3 55 watt globes.
This is the first time I’ve had White lights and the difference is astounding.
I also agree with Mick-Kelly, the whiter lights tend to make the roos more visible and you get to see them earlier.
I lived in the north west of NSW for about 15 years and drove utes and station wagons and all had roof mounted driving lights most of the time.
The roof mounts give you a far better close and long distance view of the road and in all the time I had roof mounted lights, I only got chipped once at a RBT roadside check about the roof lights.
Many years ago a mate gave me two 250 watt GE seled beam aircraft landing lights. These were like spot lighs and were the best lights I ever had, but when you went to low beam it got very dark.
There is a blitz on using fog lights in NSW right now ( and about time ) and they are even booking drivers for using them during the day so it might pay to try and find out how far you can go with roof lights.
If anyone is thinking of fitting roof mounted lights here is a couple of tips.
Make sure they are far enough back along the roof so that they don’t light up your bonnet and make sure they are far enough in from the sides so that they don’t shine into your side mirrors ( learnt both of those tricks the hard way ).
Also, if you use nothing less than 5mm auto wire to keep the voltage as high as possible, this will both increase the brightness of the light and extend the life of the globes and don’t forget relays and fuses.
Regards 8)

Guys,

From VICROADS (www.vicroads.vic.gov.au)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>7.1. Main-Beam Headlamp (High-Beam or Driving Lights)

Reference ADR 13.6.1 ADR 46/...

1. Purpose

These lamps illuminate the road over a long distance ahead of the vehicle.

2. Presence

Mandatory

A pair of lamps complying with ADR 46.

Optional

Two additional pairs may be fitted. These lamps need not comply with ADR 46.

The mandatory and optional lamps maybe concealable when not in use and be equipped with devices to maintain alignment.

Prohibited

On trailers.

3. Position

Pairs of lamps shall be fitted symmetrically (same position on both sides of vehicle).

The light emitted shall not cause the driver discomfort either directly or indirectly through the rear view mirror and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle.

When there are two pairs of headlamps, one pair which function as main-beam headlamps only may swivel according to the angle of lock of the steering about a substantially vertical surface.

3.1 Width:

Main beam headlamps must not be placed wider than the dipped beam headlamps.

3.2 Height:

No individual specifications.

3.3 Length:

At the front of the vehicle and facing forward.

4. Lighting Requirements

The color of the light emitted shall be white.

5. Grouping of Lights

May be grouped with other front lamps.

May not be combined with any other lamps.

May be reciprocally incorporated with the front position (side) lamps, front fog lamps and parking lamps.

May also be reciprocally incorporated with the dipped beam headlamp unless the main beam headlamp swivels with the steering.

6. Electrical Requirements

It shall not be possible to switch on the main-beam headlamps unless the following lamps are already on:

a. the front and rear position (side) lamps; and
b. the rear registration plate lamp; and, if fitted
c. side marker lamps;
d. passenger car side marker lamps;
e. end-outline marker lamp.

The exception is when the main-beam headlamps are switched on and off for short periods of time to issue warnings or signals.

All main beam headlamps may be switched on at the same time or in pairs. When changing over from dipped-beam, at least one pair of main beam headlamps shall switch on. When changing over from main beam to dipped beam, all main-beam headlamps shall switch off at the same time. The dipped beams may remain switched on at the same time as the main beams. Main-beam headlamps may be concealed when not in use.

See general specifications Section 6.13 for requirements of Concealable Lamps.

7. "Tell-tale" Signal

Mandatory

A "tell-tale" steady-burning blue light which indicates when the main beams are on is required in all vehicles.

Optional

"Tell-tale" - a steady-burning red or yellow light which shows when any main beam is not working properly may be fitted.
[/b][/quote]

There.

The ability to see the roos clearer with white lights also has one other safety aspect, way less eye strain. After a decent drive with crap lights you feel like youve been hit in the face with a mullet from desperately peering into the gloom for hours.
cheers
Mick

As both Mike-Kelly and myself have put it, heaps of light is not only safer but makes driving easier. But the only way to find out is to try it. Once you start night driving with heaps of light you will never want to drive blind again.
PS. the laws in NSW also state that the additional lights must be in pairs!
Can anybody shed light on why they need to be in pairs. ( like the pun )
regards 8)