I just got a fortune cookie that just fits the bill. I love it.
> Fog Lamps, n.:
> Excessively (often obnoxiously) bright lamps mounted on the
> fronts of automobiles; used on dry, clear nights to indicate
> that the driver’s brain is in a fog.
> See also "Idiot Lights".
How true, how true.
Cheers!
- randy
ra…@rls.uucp <backbone>!osu-cis!rls!randy rls!ra…@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
It’s a fax from your dog, Mr. Dansworth. It looks like your cat. - Larson
ra…@rls.UUCP (Randall L. Smith) writes:
>I just got a fortune cookie that just fits the bill. I love it.
>> Fog Lamps, n.:
>> Excessively (often obnoxiously) bright lamps mounted on the
>> fronts of automobiles; used on dry, clear nights to indicate
>> that the driver’s brain is in a fog.
>> See also "Idiot Lights".
>How true, how true.
I like it ! Although, I’ve still got 450Watts accross the front end (my
last car, a ’77 mazda 929, had 560watts !)
In Australia we have roos, wallabies, cattle, sheep, feral pigs, etc
who seemingly delight in trying to find the shortest messiest route between
the radiator grill and the dash that doesn’t entail going over the bonnet
(hood I think you americans call it ?) This kamikaze critturs sit beside
the road at night awaiting unwary motorists with underpowered high beams.
Thus my penchant for aftermarket lighting !
–
Maurice H. Rich maur…@itc.gu.edu.au M.R…@itc.gu.edu.au
Technical Officer Ph +61 7 875 7851
Information Technology Centre Fax +61 7 875 7877
Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 4122
maur…@kraken.itc.gu.edu.au (Maurice Rich) writes:
> In Australia we have roos, wallabies, cattle, sheep, feral pigs, etc
> who seemingly delight in trying to find the shortest messiest route between
> the radiator grill and the dash that doesn’t entail going over the bonnet
> (hood I think you americans call it ?) This kamikaze critturs sit beside
> the road at night awaiting unwary motorists with underpowered high beams.
> Thus my penchant for aftermarket lighting !
That’s understandable in the outback and all. We’re mostly peeved by
the unfathomable ego thing when it’s done in the city with bazillions of
street lights on and *lots* of other traffic.
Oh, God. There he goes about lights again…
Cheers!
- randy
ra…@rls.uucp <backbone>!osu-cis!rls!randy rls!ra…@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
It’s a fax from your dog, Mr. Dansworth. It looks like your cat. - Larson
ra…@rls.UUCP (Randall L. Smith) writes:
>maur…@kraken.itc.gu.edu.au (Maurice Rich) writes:
>> In Australia we have roos, wallabies, cattle, sheep, feral pigs, etc
>> who seemingly delight in trying to find the shortest messiest route between
>> the radiator grill and the dash that doesn’t entail going over the bonnet
>> (hood I think you americans call it ?) This kamikaze critturs sit beside
>> the road at night awaiting unwary motorists with underpowered high beams.
>> Thus my penchant for aftermarket lighting !
>That’s understandable in the outback and all. We’re mostly peeved by
>the unfathomable ego thing when it’s done in the city with bazillions of
>street lights on and *lots* of other traffic.
"Urban" Cowboys !… but, really, I do live in the city.. Pull your
Atlas out and look where Brisbane is.. It is the capital city of my state.
Probably 60-80 percent of Queensland’s population is concentrated in the
SE corner and up the coast. To visit my relatives in Cairns & Mt Isa
(Camoowheal actually) is approximately a 2 to 3 thousand mile round trip
depending which way I go !..
–
Maurice H. Rich maur…@itc.gu.edu.au M.R…@itc.gu.edu.au
Technical Officer Ph +61 7 875 7851
Information Technology Centre Fax +61 7 875 7877
Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 4122
In article <maurice.703069793@kraken> maur…@kraken.itc.gu.edu.au (Maurice Rich) writes:
>In Australia we have roos, wallabies, cattle, sheep, feral pigs, etc
>who seemingly delight in trying to find the shortest messiest route between
>the radiator grill and the dash that doesn’t entail going over the bonnet
>(hood I think you americans call it ?) This kamikaze critturs sit beside
>the road at night awaiting unwary motorists with underpowered high beams.
>Thus my penchant for aftermarket lighting !
Sunnuvvabitch!
The last accident that was "my fault" occurred between Sydney and Canberra
here in Australia. About 20km (12 miles) out of Canberra I dipped the high
beam on my lights (on my Leyland mini, that makes it go from about 5 watts
to about 2 watts illumination) for an oncoming car. The kangaroo on the
other side of the road (2-lane highway) spots his chance and jumps for the
front of my car. Out of the corner of my eye I just see this blur, and
Wham, I clip the shit-head kangaroo with the fender. I stop and check the
damage on my car: fender written off, wheel guard missing and a strip of
white fur around the rim of the tire… So I go back about 100 feet, not
expecting to see anything. In the ditch by the side of the road is a ‘roo
and one leg looks like it’s been folded up to put away. Damn, didn’t have
my .22 with me, (it being technically illegal to shoot it anyway) and took
my trusty jack out of the boot (trunk) and beat the kangaroo to death.
Sorry, but there was no malice, and I was not about to let the thing die
slowly over a couple of hours. Unfortunately I miss-estimated on the first
hit and it just sat there and looked at me.
In the morning, I filled out an accident report with the local Police.
Later, when I filled out the insurance claim, I came to the question
"Whose fault do you think the accident was" and I filled in "The kangaroo".
This did not stop them reducing my no-claim bonus – I guess they figured
I really did this on purpose. It sure gave me some strange looks when I
visited the UK later and hired a car: they asked me if I had any accidents
in the previous two years and I said that I had hit a kangaroo.
Bill (Just-don’t-run-out-on-the-road-in-front-of-me) Lee
The ought to be a law requiring all driving lights to be
connected to the high-beam relay so that they are turned off when
on low beams. No on-coming traffic should ever even know you
have them suckers!
I used to have a ’67 Ford Cortina GT that I raced in IMSA Baby
.
Grand and drove on the street. It had Cibie headlights and
“Super Oscar” driving lights which I had installed for a 6-hour
at Mid-Ohio (the alternator promptly died so I couldn’t use them
I put a simple relay in the line to the driving lights which was
attached to the high-beam indicator light so they would turn off
when I hit low-beam (there was also a switch to turn the driving
lights off completely). Of course when I flashed the high beams
it also flashed the driving lights. Very few people kept their
high beams on for long approaching me
Bill
—
INTERNET: b…@Celestial.COM Bill Campbell; Celestial Software
UUCP: …!thebes!camco!bill 6641 East Mercer Way
uunet!camco!bill Mercer Island, WA 98040; (206) 947-5591
SPEED COSTS MONEY — HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO GO?
In article <1992Apr14.174713.11…@Celestial.COM> b…@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell) writes:
>The ought to be a law requiring all driving lights to be
>connected to the high-beam relay so that they are turned off when
>on low beams. No on-coming traffic should ever even know you
>have them suckers!
Actually, the way manufacturers equip the cars is that when the
high beams are on, the driving lights go off. At least that’s
the way my wife’s Maxima is. I asked the service guy about this,
and he said that the law says no auxiliary lights when your high
beams are in use. I don’t know whether this is true or not, just
that’s what the guy said.
It doesn’t bother me, because the only time I even uncover the
driving lights is on long trips. I don’t turn them on unless it’s
foggy outside, and high-beams do more harm than good in fog anyhow.
– Mike
In article <sho6fINN…@sixgun.East.Sun.COM> m…@gilligan.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori – Information Resources) writes:
>It doesn’t bother me, because the only time I even uncover the
>driving lights is on long trips. I don’t turn them on unless it’s
>foggy outside, and high-beams do more harm than good in fog anyhow.
I have a question regarding use of the fog lamps or whatever driving
lights they are called. I always see these people approaching with
four lights even there is no fog. Sometimes they are OK but sometimes
they really hurt (depending on the design and position of lights I
guess). So, is there a law, or anybody can switch on *all* the lights
they have.
Prabal.
In article <1992Apr15.171848.6…@cis.ohio-state.edu> pra…@pons.cis.ohio-state.edu (Prabal Acharyya) writes:
>four lights even there is no fog. Sometimes they are OK but sometimes
>they really hurt (depending on the design and position of lights I
>guess). So, is there a law, or anybody can switch on *all* the lights
>they have.
I think that it’s just a matter of personal judgement here in
Virginia. I heard that New York just enacted a law similar to
the statute for high beams (turn them off when within 500 ft.
of other traffic). Given the total lack of sense displayed on
the roads around here, I applaud New York for that law.
Personally, I don’t understand people who drive around on a clear
night in traffic with them turned on. I keep the covers on mine
to reduce the risk of rock damage. They are very close to the road.
I dim mine when I see a car approaching, because when I drive past
someone who does not, they bother me.
I like the folks who pay the initial cost of buying them, use them
all the time, and never bother to replace a broken or burned out
one. Makes the car look REAL cool.
– Mike
In article <sho6fINN…@sixgun.East.Sun.COM>, m…@gilligan.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori – Information Resources) writes…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>In article <1992Apr14.174713.11…@Celestial.COM> b…@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell) writes:
>>The ought to be a law requiring all driving lights to be
>>connected to the high-beam relay so that they are turned off when
>>on low beams. No on-coming traffic should ever even know you
>>have them suckers!
>Actually, the way manufacturers equip the cars is that when the
>high beams are on, the driving lights go off. At least that’s
>the way my wife’s Maxima is. I asked the service guy about this,
>and he said that the law says no auxiliary lights when your high
>beams are in use. I don’t know whether this is true or not, just
>that’s what the guy said.
> (stuff deleted)
>– Mike
The Maxima comes with FOG lights NOT DRIVING LIGHTS
Ok I guess its time for a little correction. FOG lights and driving
lights are NOT the same thing. Fog lights are directed downward and out
to the sides of the car. If you look at any fog light there will be some
sort of plate which reflects the light down and does not allow the
beam to strike any higher than normal lights. It is possible to misaim
them on installation or for the mounting to come lose. These badly aimed
ones are the only cars that blind oncoming motorists. A properly aimed set
puts light directly in front of the car and more importantly along the edges
of the road. This side light helps a drive stay in his lane on foggy or
dark roads. In addition they should cause no blinding to oncoming drivers.
You can argue that badly aimed ones should be outlawed, but around here
the bigger porblem is badly aimed low beams.(I’ve been blinded by them far more
than fog lights). In additon fog lights are to be used ONLY with lowbeams
or parking lights. After all why would you want to see directly in front
of the car and blocks ahead at the same time. The human eye is not capable
of this kind of depth perception at night.
Now on to DRIVING lights. Almost every area has a law which requires
driving lights to be connected in such a way as they can only be turned on
while using high beams. There aiming and reflector design are such that
light is projected even further ahead than the high beams. They allow
greater visibility for interstate driving at night and off roading.
In addition they are restricted to 55W bulbs on road (it is common to
find 150W bulbs for off road use but they are not street legal).
Also many states have regulation on the number of projectors a car can have.
6 is normal(2low 2high 2fog or 2L 2H 2driving) This keeps cars from throwing
on the huge amount oflighting often found on offroad trucks. Although
combination fog / driving lights exist they are fairly expensive and
the only car I’ve ever seen them on was a Porsche 911 Turbo.
I hope that clears up any misunderstanding as to the difference between these
types of lights. Next time you get blinded remeber it is a bad installation job
that you should be complaing about not the existance of lights. I bitch that
a driver should be ticketed for misinstalled fog, driving lights and low beams,
but to say that drivers that use these lights properly should not use them at
all since some other driver can’t figure them out is unfair.
Ken F.
disc…@jetson.uh.edu
In article <shpveINN…@sixgun.East.Sun.COM> m…@gilligan.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori – Information Resources) writes:
>In article <1992Apr15.171848.6…@cis.ohio-state.edu> pra…@pons.cis.ohio-state.edu (Prabal Acharyya) writes:
>>four lights even there is no fog. Sometimes they are OK but sometimes
>>they really hurt (depending on the design and position of lights I
>>guess). So, is there a law, or anybody can switch on *all* the lights
>>they have.
>I think that it’s just a matter of personal judgement here in
>Virginia. I heard that New York just enacted a law similar to
>the statute for high beams (turn them off when within 500 ft.
>of other traffic). Given the total lack of sense displayed on
>the roads around here, I applaud New York for that law.
Ditto. There was a thread a while back regarding what the owner’s
manual(s) said about using the fog and/or driving lights. The person
who started the thread rudely failed to summarize, junked the email,
and so forth. But what I^H *he* undoubtedly meant to summarize was the
following:
o Drivers of cars that came equipped with driving or fog lamps
reported that the manual said, essentially, DON"T BE A SCHMUCK,
TURN YOUR LIGHTS OFF IN THE FACE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
o Several respondents reported their manual made no mention of
driving or fog lights, whatsoever. These people are temporarily
forgiven; by now they have (heh) seen the light (or were
sentient humans to begin with and kept their lights out of innocents’
eyes).
o The final category of respondents, evidently without enough
chapstick to let them read the whole manual, said, essentially,
"Well I can see a *whole* lot better with them on and I don’t
think they bother anybody, and if they do, tough."
My strategy (which frankly has *never* worked
is to briefly blink my
lights OFF. As furious as it makes me (my girlfriend laughs at me) I try
very hard not to stoop to the level of BLINDING THEM WITH AN AIRCRAFT
LANDING LIGHT. Yet.
–
=============== Apply Disclaim-All ™ to Affected Area ===============
Bradlee T. LaBroad
bradlee.t.labr…@TEK.COM GB_500 DoD#389
In article <1992Apr15.171848.6…@cis.ohio-state.edu>, pra…@pons.cis.ohio-state.edu (Prabal Acharyya) writes:
|> In article <sho6fINN…@sixgun.East.Sun.COM> m…@gilligan.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori – Information Resources) writes:
|>
|> >It doesn’t bother me, because the only time I even uncover the
|> >driving lights is on long trips. I don’t turn them on unless it’s
|> >foggy outside, and high-beams do more harm than good in fog anyhow.
|>
|> I have a question regarding use of the fog lamps or whatever driving
|> lights they are called. I always see these people approaching with
|> four lights even there is no fog. Sometimes they are OK but sometimes
|> they really hurt (depending on the design and position of lights I
|> guess). So, is there a law, or anybody can switch on *all* the lights
|> they have.
School time, folks. There are fog lights AND there are driving lights.
And they are NOT the same. Fogs are low power beasties mounted low, aimed
at the road immediately around the front end and function in conjunction
with the regular low beams. The purpose is to help see the road in
low-visibility situations, such as fog (hence, the name). Driving lights
are high(er) power, aimed down the road and function in conjunction with
the high beams. The purpose is to help you see further ahead than the
highs alone. Cars with factory-installed extra lights generally have
fogs, not driving, at least in the US. Few cars have both, and then
usually only when an owner has installed one or both sets.
You may *install* all the lights you wish, or can afford. Their *use* is
covered by assorted laws. In general, each bulb can be no more than 55 watts
max output, although I’m told some places allow 60W. In general, you may
have no more than 2 sets of lights operating at any one time – say
lows & fogs or highs & driving. In general, driving lights must be wired to
be off when the high beams are off. Understand that these are generally not
enforced unless you’re in rather flagrant violation or the cop is in a
bad mood, at least around here. And understand that extra lighting draws
their attention. And understand that a "suspected lighting violation"
is a perfectly legal reason to pull you over.
All that said, it remains the duty of every driver to operate their
vehicle in a responsible and courteous manner – a duty in which we all fail
at one time or another. That includes maintaining proper alignment on
*all* the lights, dimming for on-coming traffic or slower traffic you’re
overtaking, etc. And if I pop my brights to remind you, please respond
promptly. The flame throwers on the front of my 914 are somewhat over
55W each. And I do feel *so irresponsible* using them to give you a
gentle second reminder, peel your paint, … ;-)
–
Bob Benson bben…@arco.com
Ralliest & Generally Strange Person 214-754-6734
Driving along, doing the speed limit.
Not the one on some silly b’crat’s sign. The road’s limit.
In article <1992Apr14.174713.11…@Celestial.COM> b…@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell) writes:
>The ought to be a law requiring all driving lights to be
>connected to the high-beam relay so that they are turned off when
>on low beams. No on-coming traffic should ever even know you
>have them suckers!
OK, but say you wanted to use your driving lights in fog. You would
want to illuminate the road, and not the fog you are driving through.
If you needed to use your high-beams with your driving lights, wouldn’t
it be difficult to see?
Besides, I’m getting tired of more and more laws being passed to "protect"
Americans from incompetent drivers. If I want to turn on my driving
lights when I want to, I should be able to. Just because John Doe doesn’t
know when or when not to use his driving lights doesn’t mean that I don’t.
But because we have become so dependent on automobiles (how many people
use public transportation regularly in this country?), just about
anyone who wants a license can get one. That doesn’t mean that they know
that it makes sense not to pass on the right, for their safety and the
safety of others, or that it’s wrong to hold traffic at a slower speed in
the passing lane, or that driving lights shouldn’t be used all of the
time. It means that they know rudimentary traffic rules, how to back up
straight, and how to do a three-point-turn. This isn’t enough knowledge
for safe driving. Many people have enough common sense to be able to
figure out what’s right and wrong, what’s safe or unsafe. But, as everyone
reading this newsgroup knows, there are plenty of people out there who don’t.
Should we be passing laws to keep these people from endagering themselves(and
us)? Maybe these people shouldn’t be allowed to drive a two-ton vehicle at
highway speeds. No law could ever protect me from someone who doesn’t know
what to do in an emergency situation. A good drivers’ education program
would help to promote safer driving for everyone. It _might_ even help
lower insurance rates if there were fewer accidents. (yah, right.)
Jay Giurleo – j…@wpi.wpi.edu – WPI Box 2080 – Worcester, MA 01609
—
In article <sho6fINN…@sixgun.East.Sun.COM> m…@gilligan.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori – Information Resources) writes:
>In article <1992Apr14.174713.11…@Celestial.COM> b…@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell) writes:
>>The ought to be a law requiring all driving lights to be
>>connected to the high-beam relay so that they are turned off when
>>on low beams. No on-coming traffic should ever even know you
>>have them suckers!
>Actually, the way manufacturers equip the cars is that when the
>high beams are on, the driving lights go off.
My Landrover has a rear fog light installed. This is switched *off* when
the high beam is used. The rational behind this is that, in fog, you use
either specialised fog lamps and/or your low beam. It is very hard to
see where you are going if you are using high beam in fog.
The assumption therefore is that if you have the main beam *on* you can’t
really be in fog so the fog lights go *off*.
Of course most of the lights people have arrayed on there cars are extra
driving spots a la rally driving and would only come *on* when the high
beam is used.
ObUL: I drove through some fog at the weekend and got to use my rear fogger
again. Yipee… I was so excited.
Derek "Gotta use those gadgets if you can" Tearne.
–
Derek Tearne de…@fivegl.co.nz | If yo
rek l .nz | yo
New Zea
and while he wasn’t looking the .sig eaters were busy at work
In article <1992Apr17.145848.24…@wpi.WPI.EDU>, j…@wpi.WPI.EDU (Jay Giurleo) writes:
|>OK, but say you wanted to use your driving lights in fog. You would
|>want to illuminate the road, and not the fog you are driving through.
|>If you needed to use your high-beams with your driving lights, wouldn’t
|>it be difficult to see?
When would you want to use driving lights in fog? That’s about
the equivalent of using highbeams.
Use fogs, that’s what they’re designed for.
|>Besides, I’m getting tired of more and more laws being passed to "protect"
|>Americans from incompetent drivers. If I want to turn on my driving
|>lights when I want to, I should be able to. Just because John Doe doesn’t
|>know when or when not to use his driving lights doesn’t mean that I don’t.
|>But because we have become so dependent on automobiles (how many people
|>use public transportation regularly in this country?), just about
|>anyone who wants a license can get one. That doesn’t mean that they know
|>that it makes sense not to pass on the right, for their safety and the
|>safety of others, or that it’s wrong to hold traffic at a slower speed in
|>the passing lane, or that driving lights shouldn’t be used all of the
|>time. It means that they know rudimentary traffic rules, how to back up
|>straight, and how to do a three-point-turn. This isn’t enough knowledge
|>for safe driving. Many people have enough common sense to be able to
|>figure out what’s right and wrong, what’s safe or unsafe. But, as everyone
|>reading this newsgroup knows, there are plenty of people out there who don’t.
|>Should we be passing laws to keep these people from endagering themselves(and
|>us)? Maybe these people shouldn’t be allowed to drive a two-ton vehicle at
|>highway speeds. No law could ever protect me from someone who doesn’t know
|>what to do in an emergency situation. A good drivers’ education program
|>would help to promote safer driving for everyone. It _might_ even help
|>lower insurance rates if there were fewer accidents. (yah, right.)
|>
|> Jay Giurleo – j…@wpi.wpi.edu – WPI Box 2080 – Worcester, MA 01609
|>–
|>
|>
—
——————————————————————————-
Ken Mental
men…@cntrol.enet.dec.com Fahrvergnugen = DriveAmusingly
——————————————————————————–
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
In article <26…@nerd.ease.arco.com> bben…@arco.com writes:
>School time, folks. There are fog lights AND there are driving lights.
>And they are NOT the same. Fogs are low power beasties mounted low, aimed
>at the road immediately around the front end and function in conjunction
>with the regular low beams. The purpose is to help see the road in
>low-visibility situations, such as fog (hence, the name). Driving lights
>are high(er) power, aimed down the road and function in conjunction with
>the high beams. The purpose is to help you see further ahead than the
>highs alone. Cars with factory-installed extra lights generally have
>fogs, not driving, at least in the US. Few cars have both, and then
>usually only when an owner has installed one or both sets.
>You may *install* all the lights you wish, or can afford. Their *use* is
>covered by assorted laws. In general, each bulb can be no more than 55 watts
>max output, although I’m told some places allow 60W. In general, you may
>have no more than 2 sets of lights operating at any one time – say
>lows & fogs or highs & driving. In general, driving lights must be wired to
>be off when the high beams are off. Understand that these are generally not
>enforced unless you’re in rather flagrant violation or the cop is in a
>bad mood, at least around here. And understand that extra lighting draws
>their attention. And understand that a "suspected lighting violation"
>is a perfectly legal reason to pull you over.
>All that said, it remains the duty of every driver to operate their
>vehicle in a responsible and courteous manner – a duty in which we all fail
>at one time or another. That includes maintaining proper alignment on
>*all* the lights, dimming for on-coming traffic or slower traffic you’re
>overtaking, etc. And if I pop my brights to remind you, please respond
>promptly. The flame throwers on the front of my 914 are somewhat over
>55W each. And I do feel *so irresponsible* using them to give you a
>gentle second reminder, peel your paint, … ;-)
I’m not so sure about the ‘driving lights should only be on with high-beams’
business… My ’85 Mustang GT came stock with integral driving lights, and
they were wired, (again, from the factory) so that they could only be turned
on while the low beams were on. And they wouldn’t work when the parking
lights were on, either, which I thought was really stupid. They would turn
off when the high-beams were flashed or left on. Really neat ‘flash to pass’
effect though, because you would be toggling between high-beams and driving-
lights really quickly. The first thing I did when I got the car home was to
rewire the driving lights so that I could have them on whenver I wanted to.
Oh, and someone else’s previous post gave the impression that driving lights
weren’t focused to stay below a certain horizontal plane. I beg to differ.
My driving lights (SEV Marchals) don’t have ‘blinds’ on the front, and they
still are focused so that they don’t reach the height of the average driver’s
eyes unless they’re over 100′ out, at which distance they aren’t very
annoying anyway.
BTW: Few cars look as intimidating from the front as an ’85 or ’86 Mustang
GT! I rarely have problems getting people to move out of the left lane
after I’ve caught their attention…
———————————————————————
___
/ _ \ ’85 Mustang GT Bob Pitas
/ /USH 14.13 @ 100.1MPH bp…@ctp.com
/ /| \ (Cambridge, MA)
———————————————————————