I have been looking for a way to mount some auxillary lights to the front of Dewi, and looks like I have now come up with a design, and possibly a manufacturer. However I need to know a couple of things....

CAN ANYONE CONFIRM EXACTLY WHAT IS BEHIND THE FRONT NUMBER PLATE MOUNT AREA?

ARE THE PLATES JUST SCREWED INTO PLASTIC OR INTO SOMETHING MORE SOLID? IF SO, WHAT?

Basically I have a flat metal plate mounted behind the number plate, fitted with countersunk set screws so that the number plate can be refixed, with a vertical each end to a level just below the bottom of the chrome grille, and then bent 90* backwards and drilled to mount the lamps.

The only thing the manufacturer can't do is paint them, other than a quick anti-rust coating.

Sounds good.

Just need to get it powder coated, or even plastic coated.

Mike

This any help Graham;

Also believe parts of the bumper cover around the numberplate area are foam or polystyrene backed :wonder:

Regards,

TP

Tim.

Does 9 fix to 4? (sorry at work and system won't increase the sizes).

Have you got a diagram of the actual front bumper as well?

If the bumper is just plastic and foam I wonder whether a couple of screws and some bonding compound might actually be strong enough, especially if the lights aren't heavy, and if the plate was a couple of inches deep. In that case I could actually use the number plate screws.

My "man" says he could do it in ali, as he welds ali, but it would be more expensive. Currently he has looked at doing it in 3mm plate with the upright mounts welded on.

Hi Graham,

believe that 9 fits on the front of 3 to deflect low speed impacts; 3 being the metalwork for high speed collisions.

Pictures of the bumper can be found on this thread My link

As I'm currently a Pedestrian I unfortunately have no Monster to compare against to define how it all fits together.

TP.

Tim

from the other thread it looks like there might be some mountings behind the number plate! I might take my plate off tomorrow to have a look. If there are it would tally with the thread in the past about the Scandanavian bull bar thing that seemed to mount there. That would make life very simple.

Could you email me the diagram of the bumper (other thread) with the next page of part numbers as well, please?

I do think we are finally getting somewhere!! Managed to measure a few things between trains and if the mounting is level with the bottom of the grille then lamps up to 3" deep will fit. My Hella's are less than that. If the mounts faced forward you could get even deeper lights on.

Thanks Tim.

Screwdriver to the fore this afternoon.

Designs now drawn up.

Basically it is a rectangular plate 20" by 3" to fit behind the number plate, with an upright at each end about 3" high, with a 1" piece bent to 90* from these uprights. Plate will need a slight bend to conform with the bend of the mounting.

Off to see a metal working friend in the Black Country tomorrow.

Designs left with manufacturer yesterday and prototype #1 will be produced this week for evaluation. We have gone for the first being in 2mm plate to see how it copes with the weight of the lamps, but if needs-be will try 2.5mm or 3mm plate as required.

Please note that the design has now been copyrighted to me, and I will consider a future patent application.

Designs left with manufacturer yesterday and prototype #1 will be produced this week for evaluation. We have gone for the first being in 2mm plate to see how it copes with the weight of the lamps, but if needs-be will try 2.5mm or 3mm plate as required.

Please note that the design has now been copyrighted to me, and I will consider a future patent application.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures Graham!

Really interested to know how this is going on, particularly in respect of fitting to the number plate mounting.

Thing is these mounting plates are very common for mounting auxiliary lights in Scandinavia.

Here is picture of a two light version and a three light one.

http://www.hella.se/Global/Bild%20h%c3%b6guppl%c3%b6st/Universalhall_2_3_ny%5bstor%5d.jpg

The other thing that is normal is to fit an adjustable strap between the tops of the lamps and the slam panel beneath the front of the bonnet, or to a part of the front panel behind the grille. This is simply to stop the final bits of vibration if the lights are heavy, eg 7" diameters or bigger.

Like these http://www.hella.se/Global/Bild%20h%c3%b6guppl%c3%b6st/Stag_alla_ny%5bstor%5d.jpg

By the way these pages are from Swedish Hella site, but if you use Google chrome you can set the browser to automatically translate pages for you from Swedish to English.

Those look very similar to what I designed.

Unfortunately my supplier has been too busy to get the first version done. I think I might need to get a big boot out!!

The 3 light version would be illegal in UK, as we are required by law to fit aux lights in pairs.

Those look very similar to what I designed.

Unfortunately my supplier has been too busy to get the first version done. I think I might need to get a big boot out!!

The 3 light version would be illegal in UK, as we are required by law to fit aux lights in pairs.

Slightly off topic

Do Driving lights/aux lights have to be mounted in front of the front Axle to make them legal.

I think I've read some where that roof mounted ones are illegal if there behind the front axle

I saw a pick up truck the other day with a bank of lights mounted on the rear of the roof, on a bracket pointing forward ( L200 I think)

Back on topic

It appears to be a bit of a grey area, AG.

My understanding of the Vehicle Lighting Regs, was that over a certain height they had to be mounted in front of the front axle, like the trucks do, but there are plenty of people in the 4x4 world now mounting them on racks above the windscreen.

Like many of these things it will take a legal case to "prove" what is correctt and legal.

Personally I think it is a "fad" at the moment. I tried it on the Freelander and all I got was masses of glare through the windscreen!

Those look very similar to what I designed.

Unfortunately my supplier has been too busy to get the first version done. I think I might need to get a big boot out!!

The 3 light version would be illegal in UK, as we are required by law to fit aux lights in pairs.

Hi, I have an unused two light bracket kicking about in the garage if you are interested.

Not quite the same design, but very similar. Strong plate, two brackets and plastic coated. I got it but the fleet bod refused permission to fit it and I just haven't got round to fitting it to Mrs S's Fabia.

Re the lights must be fitted in pairs, this is common misconception, the regs which apply in UK are Road Vehicle Lighting Regs Schedule 5 part II, Optional main beam headlamps.

They specifically say "Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are.... "

Para 5 Carry approval or British Standard marking if vehicle first used after April 1991

Para 7 Colour, white or yellow

Para 10 Wired to extinguish when lights dipped and "where a matched pair is fitted must be switched simultaneously."

Para 12 Alignment adjustable when vehicle is stationary.

Detailed regs http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/5/made

Edited 26 March, 201115 yr by St?lmunk

Yes, might be interested in those! I'm at work so the PM system doesn't work on our system, but can if you let me know more details I will look when I get home this evening. (unless you fancy popping over to Ludlow!!)

And re those Reg's.....have a look at 12 B......matched pairs"

Edited 26 March, 201115 yr by Llanigraham

Aren't motorcycles covered by these regs? New ones seem to have only 1 for dipped and 1 for main beam. Something to do with people thinking it is a car a long way away if they have 2 on st the same time.......they don't seem to have both on at the same time.

I was well and truly blinded by a bike the other day. I think it had Xenons fitted, possibly a BMW.

I'll try and get a photo and find somewhere to host it, can you upload photos to here?

Yes 12B does mention matched pair, but that only applies where obligatory main beam headlamps are required, and then you have to have two and in a matched pair with certain exceptions eg motorbike.

If you read Part II you get

PART II

Requirements relating to optional main-beam headlamps

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I and, in the case of a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1991, paragraph 5 of Part I.

Re question about motorbikes, the ones you see with two dipped lamps are illegal for the very reason mentioned, as they look can like a car but a long way away. Many people have been caught out like that.

I'll try and get a photo and find somewhere to host it, can you upload photos to here?

Yes 12B does mention matched pair, but that only applies where obligatory main beam headlamps are required, and then you have to have two and in a matched pair with certain exceptions eg motorbike.

If you read Part II you get

PART II

Requirements relating to optional main-beam headlamps

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I and, in the case of a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1991, paragraph 5 of Part I.

Re question about motorbikes, the ones you see with two dipped lamps are illegal for the very reason mentioned, as they look can like a car but a long way away. Many people have been caught out like that.

I am very surprised to read that twin lamps both operating are illegal on a bike. I have a Triumph Street Triple and both it and the equivalent Speed Triple have just that as standard and have for years.

I have a Triumph Street Triple and both it and the equivalent Speed Triple have just that as standard and have for years.

Do they both operate for dipped headlights though?

Quite a few modern bikes with twin headlights have one side for dipped and one for high/main beam...

Problem is with these sort of questions is the devil is in the detail, and you end up flitting backwards and forwards between UK and EU regulations, type approvals and the specific regs in force at the time the vehicle in question was first produced, or built, or first registered. It is a real rat's nest.

I think it came in fairly recently re motorbikes. My old sprint and the SV650 before that had 2 dipped and 2 main. Not sure when law changed.

I am very surprised to read that twin lamps both operating are illegal on a bike. I have a Triumph Street Triple and both it and the equivalent Speed Triple have just that as standard and have for years.

Snap! I've got a black Street Triple too. Yes, both lights do come on as dipped headlights, automatically with the ignition. It's by no means just a Triumph thing, either.

My (quick) reading of the regs is that there's 'no requirement' for a maximum number of lights for a motorbike.

Most bikes you see with only one dipped headlamp on have been (legally) rewired to concentrate the limited power into that one adequate beam instead of two rubbish ones - Yamaha Fazer riders for example are practically riding blind in the dark on the factory two-dipped-beams set up.

(Feel free to bring us back on topic any time you like Graham )

Edited 26 March, 201115 yr by SK10ODA

Right, will you bi-wheeled people beggar off!! Noisy beggars they are too!! :p

Stalmunk, (can't find the "thing" on the a),

would be interested to see a photo of your brackets, please. They look most interesting.

Graham

Sorry I've failed to get a photo today, too busy with other stuff.

If I don't manage tomorrow, we will try and sort something else out.

Should I just stick it in the post? Don't want anything for it btw.