Spotties

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Originally posted by crump
Mmmmm, so you are saying or at least some of you, that if I down grade the bulb wattage I will get better visibility not necessarilly light down the road. What I was trying to achieve is plenty light as far ahead as possible for roos and cows in the distance with the lightforce on spot beam and use the ultimas broad beam to fill the road side say 150 m in front of me. Oh yeah, the bullbar is up to the task.

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I really can't understand why there is this 'must have as much light way up the road' as to me it doesn't lessen the chance hitting an animal. Usually what happens is the stuff the long range lights pick up is gone by the time I get 'there' on the inland roads. Coast roads is a bit different as the roads aren't a straight or clear to be able to use full beam effectively which is where 'it' more often happens.

Animal strike, if that's what you're worried about, in my experience has ALWAYS come from the side AND in the 10m just in front of the vehicle, you just don't see them no matter what people say, how many lights you have or gizmos to supposedly scare them off mounted on the front. They just appear and yep I've hit a few unfortunately which were seen in that 10m zone which is too late...... prepare for impact territory. Lucky I was in hellspawn with the steel bullbar, one roo actually bent it which surprised me as there certainly would have been damage had the barwork not been on there and reinforced as much as it is. 8O

So adding lights won't solve the problem. Changing the bulbs will I think improve visability but won't stop something wandering out in front of the vehicle.

Solution: You already have a solid bullbar which is about all you can really do. If it makes you feel better add more lights and try the coloured lenses routinue.

I don't whether this makes sense: The faster you go the further up the road you need to see. Reaction time remains the same. I don't need to be able to see 1000 m ahead.

For me the decision yet to be made will be a compromise like everything else.

I like the idea of wide beam for those times off the road at night in low range travelling at 40 km/h on steep slopes and twisting trails. Being able to see around corners and see the uphill track ahead whilst coming down the hill.

Travelling at night at 80 km/h on pot holed backroads. It would be good to be able to judge the depth of the holes in advance.

What combination/setup will achieve this?

My theory on lighting is if you are driving a few hours at night you do not want dull lights. If the eyes get strained you lose concentration and this adds to fatigue. I have Rally 4000 on my defender and they are pretty good.I went for a spot/spread combo but would go for two spots next time. Defenders have pretty good spread light pattern with the standard H4 headlight as they are. I think some bull lights might be better than the 4000's but will wait for now. Gas discharge lights are the ducks nuts but you need to mortage your house to buy them and i have busted spotties before with Roo grey matter (if they have any). Good bull bars are a must.

Gaz

Crump
From expearience the Lightforce 240's are excellent! I was impressed so much whilst driving a mates 4WD that I'm getting a pair for my rig. They come with there own type of bulb in them so don't go giving them the turf, check their website, they have info on their globes there.
Even with 2x100w and 2x60w you should still only draw 22amps, and for a reason that has been clouded by to much bundy, if you run each set in paralell (I think that's how it's spelled. damn that bear!) the total for each pair will be less than if wired individually.
A small tidbit remembered from my auto elec. leassons.

You got a pic of your rig for us to ogal at?

Cheers Larns

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Originally posted by drivesafe
Hi incisor, I regularly do an all night drive to Sydney .....

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Did I see you filling up with diesel at Seven Eleven on Victoria Rd Drummoyne Sydney a few months ago? The RR was distinctive and unusual for a city rig. Set up for long hauls.

Hi One_iota, not me, I only use BP, Shell or Mobil, in that order of preference. I have the 4 roof lights on only at night and remove them as soon as I don’t need the light come sun up to save getting booked, but keep an eye out for me, might see you some time.

By the way have you heard of anyone getting nailed for having roof mounted lights.

A mate of mine from central NSW has been booked twice and both time in central QLD. Figure that.

Hi Larns, I think you might have mixed up some theory on the max current. It will be the same, which ever way you wire them up.
Cheers all

yeh, I get the point about how much light is enough, but I find on long night drives improved visibility equals less fatigue. As to animal strike mainly occurs in the 10 m zone from the side I agree, BUT with strong light 100m up the road I also find that I pick up eye shine from roos, cows foxes etc and I then have 100m warning that something is up ahead. A lot of the time its the 2nd roo you hit as your watching the 1st one hop away. I'm a big fan of lights after hitting a grey cow on a grey road with its arse pointing towards us, and neither of us saw it, why , because it didnt look over its shoulder so we could see it eyeshine.

Hi Hellspawn, in response to how much light is enough , I suppose it comes down to you hit more critters at night then in daylight ie. early morning , late afternoon, so the more I can make it like daylight the less my chances of bending the fender.

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Originally posted by crump
Hi Hellspawn, in response to how much light is enough , I suppose it comes down to you hit more critters at night then in daylight ie. early morning , late afternoon, so the more I can make it like daylight the less my chances of bending the fender.

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critters come out to feed in the cover and cool of darkness.

your having more light will only blind them for a longer period of time.
the only way to stop them from coming out is if you carry your own sun and have it shinning above you.


also another point to too much light is when you dip your lights for oncoming traffic you are blinded by the lack of light for longer which can be more dangerous than having less light.
dont get me wrong....i love to have as much light as possible myself.

the only safe way to drive at night is to drive slower to allow for emergencies.

dats wot oi tink.

I’m with crump on how much light to have.

The more the merrier.

I have my roof lights set up to light up either side of the road and the roadway immediately in front of the vehicle, with around a hundred metre coverage. The two IPFs light up the roadway down the middle for about 150 to 200 metres.

Also, having bright lights does seam to stun animals for a few seconds.