10 replies to this topic

[janzyuk]

Hi
I was searching for information on the specs and legality of rear fog lights when I came across The Mini Forum.
I'm completely new to the forum and not totaly sure how it all works yet, but here it goes anyway.

I'm wanting to fit a set of Mk 1 Escort Reversing lights to the back of my 1972 Mini but change the bulbs so they are red, and use them as Fog lights. One of my friends said that this isn't possible because the law states that the lenses need to be red? I can't seem to confirm this and wondered if anyone new the rights and wrongs for rear fogs?

I'm wondering if it is the case, if I can get away with colouring the lenses?

I understand that due to the age of my car, I don't strictly have to fit any rear fogs but I'm thinking it would be a good idea, and the Mk 1 Escort lights look the period part.

If anyone can help it would be great.

Chears, Simon

[Neon]

Welcome to TMF!

My rear fog light has a clear lense and a red bulb and has just passed the MOT like this, so you shouldn't have a problem. Also, clear lense kits are legal, and seeing as they have clear lenses and red tail/brake bulbs you should be fine.

[janzyuk]

Welcome to TMF!

My rear fog light has a clear lense and a red bulb and has just passed the MOT like this, so you shouldn't have a problem. Also, clear lense kits are legal, and seeing as they have clear lenses and red tail/brake bulbs you should be fine.

Thanks for replying.
I was thinking the same as you with the clear lenses that seem to be on every other car that it should be ok to have a clear lense and a coloured bulb.
Thanks, Simon

[benpopham]

yeh thats fine.. i got rid of one of my reversing lights and made it a fog light... and the lens is still clear

[Dan]

Whether clear lens kits are legal is debateable but...

The rules say the light has to be red, that means the emitted visible light and not any part of the hardware. But it does mean red, lots of coloured bulbs come out extremely pink and that can cause trouble.

Why do you want to pollute your Mini with Ford parts by the way? What's wrong with some '70s BL lamps?

What Benpopham has done however is not legal (assuming you're talking about the Mk4 clusters with built in reverse lamps) because the reverse lens is too close to the brake lens to be used as a fog lamp.

Edited by Dan, 13 May 2007 - 04:43 PM.

[janzyuk]

That all seems to make sense. So if I were to fit Red LED bulbs and they light up red apposed to pink, it should be OK. But if they look pink, does anyone know if there's any suitable types of paint available that could colour the lenses?

The reason I was thinking of fitting these lights is because they have a curved mounting, which will get a flust fitting finish with the valence curve. Most of the lights I've seen so far seem to require brackets or have flat backs which fit un-evenly.

The cars a bit of a mungral anyway as far as origonality, and these lights fit in with the older style of the car without looking completely out of place.

Thanks, Simon

[janzyuk]

Whether clear lens kits are legal is debateable but...

The rules say the light has to be red, that means the emitted visible light and not any part of the hardware. But it does mean red, lots of coloured bulbs come out extremely pink and that can cause trouble.

Why do you want to pollute your Mini with Ford parts by the way? What's wrong with some '70s BL lamps?

What Benpopham has done however is not legal (assuming you're talking about the Mk4 clusters with built in reverse lamps) because the reverse lens is too close to the brake lens to be used as a fog lamp.

Just a thought, you mention "The Rules"? Can you tell me where I be able to get hold of the appropriate / legal info from?
Thanks, Simon

[Dan]

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

Thats the most recent complete set of rules, there are ammendments if you check the same site you should find anything relevant.

The rules do technically require a filament bulb for any lamps that were approved with a filament bulb in them though, LEDs would take your intended lamps outside of their approval however since this car is of a 'certain age' I don't think that's as relevant as it would be to a newer vehicle where European law would be applicable. Or maybe it's more so, not sure. And using a reverse lamp as a fog lamp would be out of approval anyway.

Edited by Dan, 13 May 2007 - 05:32 PM.

[koss]

I have to do mods like this often on imported cars from Japan as they don't have rear fogs in Japan.
On some of the more exotic cars a bolt on or even flush fit fog light can look out of place. So if the reverse light is far enough away from the brake lights etc, I paint the inside of the lens with red glass paint (found in good DIY shops). However it still has a pink look so a red bulb is used also. And it keeps the sva people happy as well as the customer.

[Touche Away]

Ring make a combined reversing / foglight. All you do is fit the white or red bulb supplied in then kit into the lamp (which has a clear lens).

If Ring are marketing one then I'm pretty sure it will be legal for use in the UK.

Gav

[Guess-Works.com]

Replaceing the reversing light on a mini is not Legal....

It will probably pass an MOT, but that's another story...

In true wording, the fog light should also be "E" marked as a fog light, which has a specifically designed dispersing lense so can be seen in fog !