Text 14696, 88 rader
Skriven 2005-10-13 11:30:55 av Raymond Yates (1:3613/48)
  Kommentar till text 14690 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
Ärende: looters in NO
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 MV> Hello Raymond,

 MvdV>>>> second picture is after. Note that it is burning and that the
 MvdV>>>> fog lights on the car are not. That too is compulsory. When
 MvdV>>>> the trailer is on the hook, the car's fog light(s) must
 MvdV>>>> be disabled.

 MvdV>>>> I had to do some welding to provide for a protective bracket.
 MvdV>>>> There are some pictures of that as well, but I haven't come
 MvdV>>>> around to processing hem.

 >> When you get a moment can you explain to us what a rear fog light
 >> is?

 MV> A rear fog light is a light that serves to make one better visible for
 MV> those behind you under conditions of poor visibility. Such as heavy
 MV> fog, rain or snow.

All right and that's what I was thinking.

 >> What colour is it, and what exactly does it do?

 MV> It is read. It has a 21 Watt bulb and a reflector to focus the light
 MV> in the rearward direction. Much like the break lights.

Interesting!

 >> Are there rear fog lights on your car?

 MV> All cars build after 1996 have rear fog lights. They ere mandated.
 MV> Some cars have one, some have two. Mine has two and they are
 MV> integrated in in the tail light assembly.

 >> and why would they be disabled ?

 MV> If you tow a big trailer with a light coloured front, such as a
 MV> caravan, the rear fog lights of the car wil lighten up the front of
 MV> the trailer, thereby reducing rearward vision especialy in a dense
 MV> fog. All you will see in the mirror is a red glow.

Sensible, then..  We can't do that however. State laws generally mandate that
all bulbs be working at all times. Far as I know wanyways I've not a lot of
experience towing things. However those vehicles that I have seen being towed,
all sets of rear light are functioning. Many time,s the trailers lights don;t
work right,and I try to keep an eye on the vehicle's lights to see what's
intended.

 MV> Rear fogs light may only be used in combination with other lights,
 MV> outside builded areas and when visibility is less than 50 metres.

 >> I'm thinking we've hit a difference in language usage here.

 MV> I would be surprised if you did not have something similar.

Be surprised, then.. I had to look this one up as I did not know for sure, but
our taillights are generally 27 watts each to begin with.  I have seen a few
cars imported from Europe here (usually brought over by military) that had
what looked like extra tallights. I saw one that had what looked to be 55 watt
taillights once, but tha may have been something added on later.

Do you know offhand what your normal taillight wattage is?

I do know that at one time (1930's or so) there were regulations regarding
having taillights that were too bright, I think the limit back then was 15
watts or so. That policy did not make sense and was changed.


I drive a lot in heavy fog, the consequence of living in a swamp. Even in the
worst of conditions (good visibility down to 20 foot or so) regular taillights
usually are seen double the distance. Additionally, some drivers (it's
allowed) will swtich on their hazard flashers (generally amber, but some are
red) that help a lot. Obviously, we drive a lot slower in those conditions.

Fog lights to us are forward-facing and used in conjunction with headlights.
Mine, for example are a halogen-beam with a flat pattern rather than the
slightly more dispersed beam of the regular halogen headlights. Normal
headlights are about 55 watts, although lights up to 135 watts are available
as aftermarket replacements, or add-ons.

One thing that I have seen recently are back-up bulbs that are 55 watt.
that's the same brightness as headlights. this sounds like a good idea to me
and I'm considering getting a set as people in parking lots do not sem to see
the one's I have now.

Thanks for the explanation, I appreciate it.

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 * Origin: Ray's Rocket Shop - Out to Launch (1:3613/48)