Reversing lights

[Dustysweeper]

I am toying with the idea of fitting an LED bar to supplement the absolute p**s poor P21W reverse lighting on my Grand Picasso B78 2014 1.6 ehdi. I'm thinking of fitting it just under the rear bumper.

Finding out the legalities of this isn't easy. Too much conflicting information on the Internet.

I'd be grateful if there's any MOT technicians on here who could tell me if this is doable within the law or not.

Many thanks

Duncan

[mickthemaverick]

Section 4.6 in this document will tell you all you need to know: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... tion-4-6-1

[Richard_C]

I have to reverse down a 40m unlit track to get to my house, and cursed the Pic reversing lights. I too thought of additional lights, but found the easy answer of switching on the big red rear fog lamp helped just enough. No expense incurred.

[mickthemaverick]

Back in the day when I was living in a mobile home I had to reverse my Escort van up the drive into my space, I used the hazards to pretty good effect!

[the-termin8r]

I feel like people don't actually understand what reversing lights are for. Just because they're white doesn't mean they're there to illuminate things behind you. Their purpose is to tell others that you can't see all that well and you're about to move a 2 tonne metal slab while not seeing properly.

As for OP's problem, they could try retrofitting an IR camera somewhere on the tailgate. That might help a bit if you get a decent one.

[Dustysweeper]

I feel like people don't actually understand what reversing lights are for. Just because they're white doesn't mean they're there to illuminate things behind you. Their purpose is to tell others that you can't see all that well and you're about to move a 2 tonne metal slab while not seeing properly.

I feel you don't see the contradiction in that statement.

Sure, the primary reason for white light on the outside of a vehicle is to warn others that it is moving towards them. The next, equally, important reason, is to illuminate the path the vehicle is taking, thus making it easier for the driver to see obstacles, pedestrians or otherwise!

Thanks for your input though.

[myglaren]

Might help to consult some MOT testers local to you.

[the-termin8r]

I feel you don't see the contradiction in that statement.

Sure, the primary reason for white light on the outside of a vehicle is to warn others that it is moving towards them. The next, equally, important reason, is to illuminate the path the vehicle is taking, thus making it easier for the driver to see obstacles, pedestrians or otherwise!

Thanks for your input though.

By "can't see that well" I meant it more that you don't have a clear view because of the car's pillars and are thus resigned to either the mirrors or peering through and around the pillars regardless of ambient light levels. If the lights were supposed to provide meaningful illumination the engineers would just slap an H7 or similar bulb in and design the lens accordingly.

[Paul-R]

IIRC there is (or used to be) a limit to the wattage of bulbs that could be fitted to reversing lamps for road use. That has probably been superseded by a lumen output maximum nowadays.

Back in the day we used to bolt a foglamp onto the back of our rally cars. The get-out clause for these is that they were to be used only for off-road use and they had to be under manual control, no wiring in to the gearbox reverse lamp switch!

[Lenny]

I've got a couple of bright led lamps attached to (and wired to) my towbar on my C5. They light up my long, dark driveway a treat and wouldn't be without them.
I appreciate they're not technically legal but I've been through probably half a dozen MOTs with them fitted and they've never even been mentioned.
I say crack on