titusni
11-01-2005, 09:31 PM
Probably an obscure question.
On my trike I currently have 2 frontfacing 5W sidelights mounted on the mudguards.
I've just replaced the 5W bulbs with these LED units ("http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=44&products_id=553") and they now look lovely and bright............too bright perhaps (they're 225,000 Mcd - so 225 candelas).
I've tried to figure out what the Lighting Regs say about allowed brightness - the only reference I could see what about "running lamps":
2. Running lamps fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall be in the form of a
matched pair of front lamps, each of which-
(a) is fitted in a position in which an obligatory front position lamp
may lawfully be fitted, and
(b) is capable of emitting white light to the front having an intensity
of not less than 200 candelas, measured from directly in front of the
centre of the lamp in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
vehicle, and of not more than 800 candelas in any direction.
Which allows 200-800 candelas. That can't be right can it? These 225 candelas LEDs seem really really bright - 800 candelas would blind someone?
On my trike I currently have 2 frontfacing 5W sidelights mounted on the mudguards.
I've just replaced the 5W bulbs with these LED units ("http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=44&products_id=553") and they now look lovely and bright............too bright perhaps (they're 225,000 Mcd - so 225 candelas).
I've tried to figure out what the Lighting Regs say about allowed brightness - the only reference I could see what about "running lamps":
2. Running lamps fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall be in the form of a
matched pair of front lamps, each of which-
(a) is fitted in a position in which an obligatory front position lamp
may lawfully be fitted, and
(b) is capable of emitting white light to the front having an intensity
of not less than 200 candelas, measured from directly in front of the
centre of the lamp in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
vehicle, and of not more than 800 candelas in any direction.
Which allows 200-800 candelas. That can't be right can it? These 225 candelas LEDs seem really really bright - 800 candelas would blind someone?