8 replies to this topic

[59 Speed]

If I mounted the following on my parcel shelf, would it be legal / MOT standards?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2056016.l4276

I'm a little unsure as it isn't e marked.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

[Guess-Works.com]

As long as you keep your existing brake lights then I see no reason why not...

PS. I was going to mount one of these on the roof in a single gauge pod..

 

PPS... Not an MOT tester

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 14 March 2015 - 08:26 AM.

[nicklouse]

I think you might find that it is too bright. There is a light level requirement. You will also have to be careful of reflection.


The problem is knowing the requirement or max luminosity allowed.

[Dan]

The MOT doesn't test brake lamps for light output or for E marking, or even for physical position all that accurately. As long as it lights up, it's not covered by anything or damaged, is red, points backwards and doesn't go crazy when the indicators are on it will pass the MOT. But the MOT also doesn't check that your car is road legal, and if it's not legal you can be pulled and prosecuted for it whether it has an MOT or not. The rules for additional stop lamps require that the lamp should be either kite marked or E marked on all cars from '74 on, and there is a also specific light output requirement for all cars from '91 on. Other than that, there are no requirements for beam pattern or mounting position of additional stop lamps, and it's allowed to be up to as bright as a 36 watt regular bulb so its unlikely to be too bright either. Really the lack of an E mark is the only issue with it and no-one other than the remote possibility of a very fussy Police vehicle inspector or VOSA is ever going to look for one. So if you do ever get pulled into a VOSA inspection or something, be prepared for some trouble over it. It's unlikely but it could happen, whether you choose to fit it is up to you!

[ANON]

blinding people with a rain light in good conditions is't really a good idea. fiver says the first time you've got plod behind you and you brake you get pulled.

[Ethel]

Daft as it sounds, it'd probably be classed as an interior light. Exempt of any specific regulations, but I'm sure they could apply something like driving without due care and attention if you were dazzling others.

 

Wire it via a switch so it can be turned off. That's if it will actually do the job you want, not either dazzle or be difficult to see depending on catching the line of sight of those following.

[Dan]

blinding people with a rain light in good conditions is't really a good idea. fiver says the first time you've got plod behind you and you brake you get pulled.

The spec says it's 23000mcd output, which is 23 candles. The legal minimum (only applies '91 and later) for a brake light showing through the rear window is 20 candles so it's not blindingly bright. It could mean 23,000 per LED in which case 3 of them would take it over the maximum allowance of 60, but that's not what it actually says. I imagine race rain lights look super bright because they are only on when its dark and dingy and there aren't many other sources of light around, and they have a very tight beam pattern.

[mini13]

Well,

 

 

you do have some options if it is too bright,

 

putting in some kind of lens would be a good idea, as LED's are quite directional, I would recomend some red acrylic with the inner side sanded so it refracts the light so its not as dazzling,

 

also you can drop the voltage to the light with some resistors, diodes or a regulator ( i'd recomend a regulator anyway so the light output stays the same despite what the alternator is chucking out)

 

I would put in a 10v regulator, and add diodes ( each one will drop the voltage 0.6v) til its right.

[Guess-Works.com]

They are no brighter than some of the modern high level brake lights I've been witness too... How do I know this... I bought one about 10 years ago for exactly the same application.