Text 14711, 117 rader
Skriven 2005-10-13 22:01:02 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
  Kommentar till text 14696 av Raymond Yates (1:3613/48)
Ärende: looters in NO
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Hello Raymond,

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

 > All right and that's what I was thinking.

So I got that across. '-)

 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.

I am suure that if you ever introduce rear foh lights, thsoe lwas will be
amended to that effect...

 > Far as I know wanyways I've not a lot of experience towing things.

I have quite a lot of experience, but not much about towing in bad weather. It
is the thing one tries to avoid. I only used the rear fog light on my caravan
once in the 12 years that I have it.

 > 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,

Standard procedure here is to check the lights of the trailer every time it has
been unplugged.

Of course that is no guarantee against a bulb that blows, but if the police
catches you with a trialer light malfunction that should have shown at a pre
drive test - such as a crossed wire - they are not symphatetic...

 > and I try to keep an eye on the vehicle's lights to
 > see what's intended.

Malfunctioning trailer lights are more rare than malfunctioning rear lights of
cares. Because of the mandate of a pre drive check after plugging in.

 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.

But... that would be blinding in clear weather.... :-(

 > 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.

That may have been one of those rear fog lights. But thet are 21 Watts and even
that is blinding in bright weather...

 > Do you know offhand what your normal taillight wattage is?

5 Watt.

 > 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.

Hopw does one see the brake light if it is not significantly brighter than the
normal tail loght?

 > 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)

Wow, that is a heavy fog. Very rare here.

 > regular taillights usually are seen double the distance.

But then aren't they blinding in bright weather?

 > Additionally, some drivers (it's allowed) will swtich on their
 > hazard flashers (generally amber,

Not allowed here for moving vehicles.

 > 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.

Those were quit popular in the past here too. But with ever more crowding of
the roads their popularity has dwindled. They are no good if there is someone
driving in front of you, and over here having the road to yourself is rare.

 > One thing that I have seen recently are back-up bulbs

Eh is that the white light on the rear that come on when one is reversing?

 > 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.

The reverse light was originally meant to provide visibility for the driver
when reversing. Nowadays it is more a warning to others that the vehicle is
reversing or about to reverse.

I am starting to wonder you aren't using a different definition of "Watt" from
ours. The must be almost blind if people can not see the standard 21 Watt
reverse light...

Cheers, Michiel

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