Having covered towropes, I'd have thought the safety conscious amongst us...possibly the voluntary response bods included, might have treated themselves to one or more of the LED Emergency Flare beacon type affairs that I see advertised.

Ebay and Amazon have them and I see that they may have originated in America with the Powerflare.... http://www.powerflare.com/products/

They seem to be either rechargeable or come with a CR 123 battery.

Here's a couple of examples........

http://www.amazon.co...&pf_rd_i=468294

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a25fa706e

I do happen to keep a rotating beacon with a quartz bulb in the boot but, of course, if you've no battery for whatever reason, then you've no beacon. Only ever used mine once when I broke down but you do see cars vulnerably sited and admit to being fond of plenty of warning in difficult positions. (Remember, at work we had plenty of this sort of thing, albeit blue at the time).

Anyone else seen these things...or maybe have one and have a recommendation? I think I'd favour the battery type as you're not likely to want to keep recharging the thing and the batteries last for ages and aren't dear (do have the CR 123 in some LED torches and they're fine).

Edited 10 December, 201213 yr by oldstan

They were offered at a discout price to members of the 4x4 Response Network and I think a few people bought them. Haven't heard any adverse reports.

Ditto for wessex4x4... I have 2 of the battery type. They seem to be very heavy and they are claimed to be indestructible, and submersible.

There is a wide range of flash patterns, and a handy guide to tell you how long the battery will last depending on how flashy you want to be!

A lot of the breakdown services around here have bought the boxes of 6 from MachineMart. I'm not sure they are the same make as these, but they look similar. I've see a set of 6 in use and drivers do take notice and slow down.

The colour of the case doesn't necessarily relate to the colour of the LED, I believe. There seems to be green, blue, red, white and amber LED's. Presumably the amber would be the most legitimate...with red being my possible choice if I got one (or two).

The ONLY (possibly) legal ones for Joe Public to use are ORANGE, and even that has led to some (very) long discussions about the Vehicle Lighting Regulations on the 4x4 Response Network forum and their legallity!

Officially you are supposed to have to provide evidence to buy blue or green flashing lights.

Yes I accept that orange / amber would be the most likely to be considered legal (hence having the amber revolving beacon as mentioned) but if I thought that red, or possibly white, would actually attract more attention when I'm stuck somewhere unpleasant then I'll use it and argue the point afterwards. I think it's accepted that blue light, for whatever technical/scientific reason, is seen most readily above other colours but would not buy blue or green because that IS taking the mick somewhat. I suggest not provoking the legality of orange/amber here is a good idea and can't really see the point of such....It's pretty obvious...to me, at least... that Police would sooner see a bright and effective warning device used in hazardous situations than have to attend a serious incident caused by the absence of same.

Edited 11 December, 201213 yr by oldstan

Use amber - most drivers see that as breakdown/lane closed/roadworks, etc - just what you need.

Choosing white may confuse some drivers and using any non-amber lights are illegal and could give you insurance problems if you were hit.

IIRC, flashing amber LIGHTS are OK in BREAKDOWN situations (not on the move) and red REFLECTORS are OK (triangle).

The law relates to the fitting of the lights not the use.

See this easy to read article - http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=61#2011

Use amber - most drivers see that as breakdown/lane closed/roadworks, etc - just what you need.

Choosing white may confuse some drivers and using any non-amber lights are illegal and could give you insurance problems if you were hit.

IIRC, flashing amber LIGHTS are OK in BREAKDOWN situations (not on the move) and red REFLECTORS are OK (triangle).

Fair points.

Ditto for wessex4x4... I have 2 of the battery type. They seem to be very heavy and they are claimed to be indestructible, and submersible.

There is a wide range of flash patterns, and a handy guide to tell you how long the battery will last depending on how flashy you want to be!

Have a couple as well (Wessex 4x4 response also).

Have been tested when out supporting an event on the beach at Weston-super-Mare earlier in the year. The feedback I got was that at 1.5+ miles they were clearly visible, they could see that I had switched the second one on, and they could tell they were mine as the batch mine came in are nearer orange than amber.

In daylight they are not as visible, and on the Yeti get hidden by the roof bars so aren't very visible from the sides unless carefully placed.

I think if you had a flashing red light you may get the wrong kind of people pull over....

Regarding amber lights, I was always under the impression you could use them anywhere whilst stationary, or whilst moving if undertaking a task you were directly responsible for; such as towing/recovery/gritting etc. Used to use airport beacon equipped vehicles on surrounding roads if we were doing a slow pass to check problems out, always fun to use flashing lights to scare amorous couples (although utilizing BCU equipped vehicles was even better...)

I think if you had a flashing red light you may get the wrong kind of people pull over....

Now you've convinced me - I'm going for the reds. :-)

Regarding amber lights, I was always under the impression you could use them anywhere whilst stationary, or whilst moving if undertaking a task you were directly responsible for; such as towing/recovery/gritting etc. Used to use airport beacon equipped vehicles on surrounding roads if we were doing a slow pass to check problems out, always fun to use flashing lights to scare amorous couples (although utilizing BCU equipped vehicles was even better...)

Indeed, as noted earlier, the legalities of using an amber one would be low down my list of concerns if stuck on a hard shoulder or down a dark lane with a flat tyre.

The Vehicle Lighting Regs actually state exactly what vehicles are allowed to use amber beacons, and although quite broad Joe Public isn't included. However, if you are sensible about their use I doubt that the average "plod" will care or know.

Many, many years ago, I was an AA patrolman - BSA M21, sidecar, salutes etc - and I used to moonlight for a local garage in West London. One night on my way to a breakdown (in their minivan) I had forgotten to switch off the revolving beacon, and got stopped and received an endorsement /fine for "showing a light whilst revolving whilst in motion"

Mind you he also nicked me for speeding too! - pulled me up right in the gates of Hampton Court Palace.

I fancied buying an orange (amber) version of one of these for my wife's car but, notwithstanding what it says in the eBay ad below, the seller currently only has yellow, blue and white for sale. I have added him to my Watch list.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHITE-Magnetic-Heavy-Duty-LED-Warning-Light-Flare-Emergency-Light-/181025796206?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item2a25fa706e

Its interesting following on from the discussion about legal colours that the RAC's (rechargeable) versions of this are available with red or amber LEDs.

http://www.racshop.co.uk/tools-storage/torches-hazard-lights/product/rac-personal-hazard-light-breakdown-warning-lantern.html

When I did my IMI exemption, the lawyer who did the legal aspects debunked a few commonly held misconceptions. I'm vaguely certain that any rotating/flashing light while on the move was illegal, and questionable when stationary. The law is there to be changed of course, so it may have been.

In an emergency situation, it may be necessary to break the law in order to increase the safety of those involved - I was thinking of positioning ones vehicle to block the road for example, or even parked vehicle with headlamps on.

Sometimes the law doesn't fit. Sometimes the law is an ass. But the law is always the law.

I fancied buying an orange (amber) version of one of these for my wife's car but, notwithstanding what it says in the eBay ad below, the seller currently only has yellow, blue and white for sale. I have added him to my Watch list.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a25fa706e

Did you note that it says at the bottom of the ad that orange is also available?

Yes. I queried that with the seller yesterday who confirmed that he only has yellow, blue and white. i haven't found any other UK source for the amber (orange) version as yet.

I asked the local police response driver I know. He thinks the rules are different for lights attached to a vehicle and those that are not.

He thinks that rearward facing red reflectors, rearward facing red lights (non-flashing) and amber flashing lights are all OK.

He pointed out that for 30 years companies have sold torches with red lenses and torches that flash though an amber lens. He also pointed out that these would be duplicating the lights/reflectors already on the rear of all vehicles.

Not exactly a statement of law, but he did say he would be very surprised if any of his colleages would have a problem. He's going to see if he can get a definitive answer as, unusually, he didn't know the answer.

Be aware that the roof of the Yeti is hidden from view from behind once you open the boot. So one of these placed on the roof (with boot open) cannot be seen by a vehicle approaching from behind. (Even the lights mounted on a crossbar attached to the roofrails as seen in my thumbnail photo are barely visible from behind with the tailgate open).

You'd need to experiment, but you may find that placing them on the tailgate (alongside the numberplate possibly) means they can be seen with it open - and the additional height might help too. Unfortunately, there is no other steel panel at the rear of a Yeti that the magnets would clamp onto.

Great idea, but like others I would only consider amber/orange or if nothing else available, the red ones.

Incidentally, whilst blue is a distinctive colour for hazard perception, the density of the lens needed to produce true blue significantly reduces the light output of the luminaire, which is why most Police forces now supplement their blue strobe lights with red (soon to be magenta) at the rear, and white at the front.

The whole question of flashing lights on motor vehicles is currently under review once again as strictly speaking only Police vehicles are permitted to display a blue flashing/intermittent light whist in motion. (Note, not fire or ambulance vehicles). An amber flashing light is not permissible at speeds of over 20mph (though rightly this has not been enforced for many years). A red flashing/intermittent light is not permissible on any vehicle except Bomb Disposal or rear of a pedal cycle (the law was only changed for latter 5 or 6 years ago as until that time it a red flashing light could only legally be attached to the rider, not the cycle!).

If the law is changed as currently proposed, licenced recovery vehicles will be permitted to display flashing magenta warning lights (yes, I know many already do) with a low maximum light output when stationary and undertaking a recovery. The sticking point at the moment is defining "low light output" as the availability of LED mini strobes has confused the law makers. All interesting stuff, which of course will also be subject to EC approval too!

Edited 12 December, 201213 yr by speedsport

For those who can be bothered to look it seems that a Google search using the words LED and Flare are favourite and then try any combination of Emergency, Warning, Flashing, Powerflare, Megaflare, Rotaflare or anything else you can think of . A lot come in packs but there are quite a few sold singly either rechargeable or battery and there are amber ones as well as red, white, green and blue but you need to check the LED colour rather than the body colour as they don't always stae it. I'll ring Maccess, the trade supplier to see if they stock them.

The local guys are using these

http://www.rsg-ontop.com/shop/view/136_Road_Lamps/509_Pulsar_LED_Hazard_Warning_Lights

and they are amber

see http://www.rsg-ontop.com/wms/modules/shop/image.php?p=509&i=9&w=500

The RAC ones are available Amber or Red or Blue - either battery (CR123) or rechargeable - either singly (£15 or £19 depending on battery or R/C) or in packs of 6. Post Free.....Enter Code "Wheeee" at checkout (Check website) Seems almost as cheap as the cheapest Ebay offer I've seen. Looks like they used to be over £20 and under £30 previously and you can still pay nearer £30 at certain outlets.

http://www.personalh...nal HazardLight

By the way.....interesting post from SS...thanks. And re. your observations on roof mounting see below for a clip of a Rotaflare mounted vertically.

Edited 12 December, 201213 yr by oldstan

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