13 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

My car is an '88 so it has a reverse light in the cluster and requires a fog light for MOT. 

 

 

I really love these reverse lamps:

 

 

I know they're not in keeping with the period of the car, but that's not the aim of this build, the aim is just whatever I like. I dislike having a fog light hanging from the bumper (like in the pic above), could I simply fit a red bulb in the spot and use it as a fog? Or would it need a white bulb and red lens? I've read the MOT regs and it seems pretty lenient...

 

[DeadSquare]

I came across a "U tube" somewhere, where a guy was putting a 'red diode cluster' in the reflector part.  On a Mini, that would be between the Flasher and the Rear / Brake light.

 

I didn't watch long enough to find out the car, nor any snags.

[bpirie1000]

So long as the fog light bulb is of a suitable wattage to be brighter than the brake light this should not be a problem. You get very bright LED style bulbs that should fit in but I suppose it depends on the unit bulb fitment..

[Bobbins]

Are there any specific requirements for the reversing light, e-mark, brightness etc?

[bpirie1000]

typically ranges from 35 watts for basic fog lights to 100 watts or more for higher-performance models. A higher wattage output produces a brighter, more penetrating beam.

[Bobbins]

Sorry, I’ll rephrase my question … what are the legal requirements for the reversing light?

[Ethel]

The IVA manual is a handy guide to what is legal.

 

You can't put a fog light in the standard rear cluster it won't be far enough away from the stop-tail. Reverse lights are limited to 21w, same as brake & fog. That's a "work light" in the piccy  (as long as its not switched by selecting reverse.)

[iDemonix]

Cheers all, looks like I should be fine to use it as a fog light then assuming I get the light colour/brightness right - think that might be my plan!

[mini-mad-mark]

Classic Car LEDS sell a dual LED bulb with red AND white illumination, fit one of those and have both! 

[weef]

There are quite a few different styles of rear fog lamp available, look at some of the custom build websites, something like Car Builder Solutions have a lot, even some low profile units that could be integrated into the rear bumper.

In the 1960/70's when the Mini was a rally icon, and road legal regulations appeared to be more lax, we all put this style of "reversing lamp" on the bootlid along with the obligitory Cibes mounted up front, a sumpgaurd, a white square on the door and a set of wide rims, wheeling round the country roads, great..............

[Gaz66]

You can't put a fog light in the standard rear cluster it won't be far enough away from the stop-tail.

I'm sure I've seen some production cars with them built into the cluster 🤔
I could have imagined it though 😁

[Ethel]

There are, but  they'll have the required 100mm between the fog & the stop/tail.

 

Might be possible if you used clear ones and moved things around,  but you can't just stick a red light in the reverse.

[iDemonix]

Classic Car LEDS sell a dual LED bulb with red AND white illumination, fit one of those and have both! 

Good idea, might think about that! 

 

 

There are quite a few different styles of rear fog lamp available, look at some of the custom build websites, something like Car Builder Solutions have a lot, even some low profile units that could be integrated into the rear bumper.

In the 1960/70's when the Mini was a rally icon, and road legal regulations appeared to be more lax, we all put this style of "reversing lamp" on the bootlid along with the obligitory Cibes mounted up front, a sumpgaurd, a white square on the door and a set of wide rims, wheeling round the country roads, great..............

It's just down to personal preference though, I hate things hanging below the bumper or even integrated - whereas I like a spotlight on the boot lid, and this build is all about whatever I prefer rather than sticking to period features etc.

[bpirie1000]

It is your car. Discuss it with the MOT tester/garage you intend to use...