AAAHHHH Another blown bulb - Page 2

cbyard · Mar 1st, 2007, 23:19

Surely "don't touch the bulb" only applies to Quartz Halogen lamps and the like. I've never noticed or heard of any problems with ordinary glass envelope incandescents.

Maybe if bulbs are blowing frequently it would be worth checking the alternator charging voltage (not that it's not cheaper just to replace bulbs than the alternator) since even slight excess voltage dramatically shortens bulb life (and vice versa). Poor quality bulbs could also be a problem.

It might not be practical, but wiring a suitable diode in series with each lamp (not headlights!) would drop voltage by about 0.7V- the reduction in light output wouldn't be particularly noticeable but the life should increase noticeably.

Viper_7 · Mar 1st, 2007, 23:28

doesn't really matter what type the bulb is, natural oil from skin heats up on the glass surface in a localised spot and causes premature failure.

Car headlights have very thin glass and the effects are more pronounced, quartz/halogen or otherwise.
You really shouldn't touch them at all with your fingers, if you do, they should be wiped clean with metholated spirits and allowed to dry before reinserting.

vipes

CTCNetwork · Mar 2nd, 2007, 01:27

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareths306

are they? whats the reason? i'll have a quick peep for the posts now

Reasoning is that some people may "confuse" the two fog lights as brake lights. This despite the fact there is a third high level brake light!

Some argue that they blind them so cannot see the brakes being applied.
However, given that your usual sensible driver will have the fog lights on when it is FOGGY (low visibility) you have an excellent argument in the fact that they were obviously driving far too close in inclement driving conditions and were thus unable to stop within a reasonable distance.

And on that final note - convert away to twin rear fogs! I recommend a nice sturdy tow bar too...

And always check your HLBL

Des. . .

OllieG · Mar 2nd, 2007, 12:13

I thought the European/UK law was for one light, but nothing saying you can't have two. Personally, being a bit anal, I always think that only one fog light looks unbalanced.

My first car - a Talbot Alpine GLS (back in 1989) had 2 fog lights, I think my old Renault Laguna might have done too.

The same applies to reversing lights - some cars only have one. I assumed it was the manufacturers being tight and lazy - the law says you have to have one, why go any further? One of the worst examples I've seen is the Ford Focus - a single (crap) reversing light at kerb level - next to useless! How you're meant to see anything through the rear window when reversing is beyond me...

[Edit] Oh, and I am a 'sensible' driver - I use fog lights when visibility is <100m, but turn them off when conditions improve, OR WHEN SAT IN STATIONARY TRAFFIC. That's soooo annoying when the guy/gal in front still has his fogs on when he's sat stationary 3m in front off you. Tsk!

I do miss the tow bar from my Daewoo (about the only think I miss

)

4 forty · Mar 2nd, 2007, 14:33

i have noticed the latest models, irelavent of make, have one rear foglight only, situated either to the right in the rear bumper, or positioned in the centre, so as not to confuse with being brake lights, also,with foglights being in the same cluster,it blots out that brake lights are coming on.
i totally agree with ctc network on this one.

paul

Viper_7 · Mar 2nd, 2007, 18:34

yup agree with what everyone said about foglights - and there have been insurance claims going in favour of the person running up the backend of another - as they state they didn't see the brake lights due to the high intensity fog lights - and more usually becuase they were in use when conditions didn't warrant it.

Some insurance companies will also see this as a modification to the car, a bit anal I know, but they will use anything to get out of a payout, and void your insurance.
It's not illegal to add a second, but people in the know can use it against you, and there are people out there that look for excuses to cause an accident and do the old "oh my neck" type claim.

vipes

pigapumbu · Mar 2nd, 2007, 19:13

interesting, how did a topic about another blown bulb end up with rear fog lights?

So to keep in line with everyone here, ... er am I able to fit two rear fog lights to fit into my V50? Sadly volvo supplied me with only one. lol

Its only to use in heavy rain after I pass some fool with his/her hazards. NO NO.. just kidding! Only for heavy fog, I promise.

Gareths306 · Mar 2nd, 2007, 19:33

LOL stick another bulb in mate!!! Personally, i'd rather be seen in fog, and if someone is right up your arse almost bumper to bumper, flash them on and off and they'll soon back off!!! works most of the time!!!

But i only use in fog, they dont make the car look sporty like the front ones do!!! I do like front fog lights on cars, though i dont put mine on because they upset a lot of other drivers!

I would have thought most of the people on here like the look of their cars with the front fogs on! I know i'm not alone there!!! Would it be acceptable to put lower wattage ones in so you can leave on all the time? like drl's!!! bcos the way some people drive i wouldnt mind having a flashing amber beacon on the roof!!! i was coming down the slip road off the m4 last weekend, and as i approached the round about the guy in the right line in a queue pulled out in front of me just so he could get in front of the car in front of him, and then drive a stupid speed on the round, and take an exit past '12 o clock position' I was turning left at the round about so i was in the correct lane for turning left. the **** just wanted to jump the queue, almost cause an accident, undertake on a roundabout at silly speeds and ignore the markings on the road. ****!!! im gonna start naming number plates on here!!!! IDIOT DRIVERS!!!

pigapumbu · Mar 2nd, 2007, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareths306

LOL stick another bulb in mate!!! Personally, i'd rather be seen in fog, and if someone is right up your arse almost bumper to bumper, flash them on and off and they'll soon back off!!! works most of the time!!!

But i only use in fog, they dont make the car look sporty like the front ones do!!! I do like front fog lights on cars, though i dont put mine on because they upset a lot of other drivers!

I would have thought most of the people on here like the look of their cars with the front fogs on! I know i'm not alone there!!! Would it be acceptable to put lower wattage ones in so you can leave on all the time? like drl's!!! bcos the way some people drive i wouldnt mind having a flashing amber beacon on the roof!!! i was coming down the slip road off the m4 last weekend, and as i approached the round about the guy in the right line in a queue pulled out in front of me just so he could get in front of the car in front of him, and then drive a stupid speed on the round, and take an exit past '12 o clock position' I was turning left at the round about so i was in the correct lane for turning left. the **** just wanted to jump the queue, almost cause an accident, undertake on a roundabout at silly speeds and ignore the markings on the road. ****!!! im gonna start naming number plates on here!!!! IDIOT DRIVERS!!!

Good one, I should start trying to search if I can use 2 bulbs rear fog lights. And for better effect, put bigger power ones if available.

Actually I love the front fog lights. It helps light up the roads better and it only shines very low. Gone are the days when spot lights used to be common and those I agee would cause the oposite cars to be blinded. But fog lights are too low to cause any discomfort to others. It only bothers them cause its against the law to use when there is no fog.

I once got pulled over by a cop and told off for having them on at night. Since then I don't use them when I am driving in UK. When I am over in asia, they are permanently on everytime the lights are used.

Great idea if can start a thread for idiot drivers and have the number plate put down. Kinda like a warning to members to stay clear from such fools if seen on the roads. name and shame huh. But I think this would be against forum rules.

cheers.. happy motoring.

Gareths306 · Mar 3rd, 2007, 00:09

im sure we think alike pigapumbu!!! Its surprising how they do light the road up for you a little bitter as i find the diped beam lights arent that good really. And as you said, they are low down. Unlike other cars whichhave them mounted higher up or pointed upwards. i cant see the problem with having them on personally (the fronts)! But im sure the next person to post will disagree!!!

Mar 1st, 2007, 23:28	#12
Viper_7 Premier Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2013 17:33 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: York	doesn't really matter what type the bulb is, natural oil from skin heats up on the glass surface in a localised spot and causes premature failure. Car headlights have very thin glass and the effects are more pronounced, quartz/halogen or otherwise. You really shouldn't touch them at all with your fingers, if you do, they should be wiped clean with metholated spirits and allowed to dry before reinserting. vipes __________________ S60 D5 SE 2004 Titanium Grey Winter Pack Mods: Volvo Tax disc holder - increases power output by 5% Child Seat Rear and side Volvo fitted blinds. Tree Sap from May - July. Removed at least 46 cup holders for weight reduction.

Mar 2nd, 2007, 12:13	#14
OllieG Junior Member Last Online: Jun 28th, 2012 12:08 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Towcester	I thought the European/UK law was for one light, but nothing saying you can't have two. Personally, being a bit anal, I always think that only one fog light looks unbalanced. My first car - a Talbot Alpine GLS (back in 1989) had 2 fog lights, I think my old Renault Laguna might have done too. The same applies to reversing lights - some cars only have one. I assumed it was the manufacturers being tight and lazy - the law says you have to have one, why go any further? One of the worst examples I've seen is the Ford Focus - a single (crap) reversing light at kerb level - next to useless! How you're meant to see anything through the rear window when reversing is beyond me... [Edit] Oh, and I am a 'sensible' driver - I use fog lights when visibility is <100m, but turn them off when conditions improve, OR WHEN SAT IN STATIONARY TRAFFIC. That's soooo annoying when the guy/gal in front still has his fogs on when he's sat stationary 3m in front off you. Tsk! I do miss the tow bar from my Daewoo (about the only think I miss ) Last edited by OllieG; Mar 2nd, 2007 at 12:17.

Mar 2nd, 2007, 14:33	#15
4 forty VOC Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2015 14:44 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: sunderland	latest models/foglights i have noticed the latest models, irelavent of make, have one rear foglight only, situated either to the right in the rear bumper, or positioned in the centre, so as not to confuse with being brake lights, also,with foglights being in the same cluster,it blots out that brake lights are coming on. i totally agree with ctc network on this one. paul

Mar 2nd, 2007, 18:34	#16
Viper_7 Premier Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2013 17:33 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: York	yup agree with what everyone said about foglights - and there have been insurance claims going in favour of the person running up the backend of another - as they state they didn't see the brake lights due to the high intensity fog lights - and more usually becuase they were in use when conditions didn't warrant it. Some insurance companies will also see this as a modification to the car, a bit anal I know, but they will use anything to get out of a payout, and void your insurance. It's not illegal to add a second, but people in the know can use it against you, and there are people out there that look for excuses to cause an accident and do the old "oh my neck" type claim. vipes __________________ S60 D5 SE 2004 Titanium Grey Winter Pack Mods: Volvo Tax disc holder - increases power output by 5% Child Seat Rear and side Volvo fitted blinds. Tree Sap from May - July. Removed at least 46 cup holders for weight reduction.

Mar 1st, 2007, 23:19	#11
cbyard TDC Member ;-) Last Online: Jun 13th, 2020 19:08 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Witney	Surely "don't touch the bulb" only applies to Quartz Halogen lamps and the like. I've never noticed or heard of any problems with ordinary glass envelope incandescents. Maybe if bulbs are blowing frequently it would be worth checking the alternator charging voltage (not that it's not cheaper just to replace bulbs than the alternator) since even slight excess voltage dramatically shortens bulb life (and vice versa). Poor quality bulbs could also be a problem. It might not be practical, but wiring a suitable diode in series with each lamp (not headlights!) would drop voltage by about 0.7V- the reduction in light output wouldn't be particularly noticeable but the life should increase noticeably.

Mar 2nd, 2007, 19:13	#17
pigapumbu Roary The Racing Car. Last Online: Jul 18th, 2014 09:00 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: mid area	interesting, how did a topic about another blown bulb end up with rear fog lights? So to keep in line with everyone here, ... er am I able to fit two rear fog lights to fit into my V50? Sadly volvo supplied me with only one. lol Its only to use in heavy rain after I pass some fool with his/her hazards. NO NO.. just kidding! Only for heavy fog, I promise.

Mar 2nd, 2007, 19:33	#18
Gareths306 Premier Member Last Online: May 22nd, 2014 07:23 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: its a town	LOL stick another bulb in mate!!! Personally, i'd rather be seen in fog, and if someone is right up your arse almost bumper to bumper, flash them on and off and they'll soon back off!!! works most of the time!!! But i only use in fog, they dont make the car look sporty like the front ones do!!! I do like front fog lights on cars, though i dont put mine on because they upset a lot of other drivers! I would have thought most of the people on here like the look of their cars with the front fogs on! I know i'm not alone there!!! Would it be acceptable to put lower wattage ones in so you can leave on all the time? like drl's!!! bcos the way some people drive i wouldnt mind having a flashing amber beacon on the roof!!! i was coming down the slip road off the m4 last weekend, and as i approached the round about the guy in the right line in a queue pulled out in front of me just so he could get in front of the car in front of him, and then drive a stupid speed on the round, and take an exit past '12 o clock position' I was turning left at the round about so i was in the correct lane for turning left. the ** just wanted to jump the queue, almost cause an accident, undertake on a roundabout at silly speeds and ignore the markings on the road. **!!! im gonna start naming number plates on here!!!! IDIOT DRIVERS!!!

Mar 3rd, 2007, 00:09	#20
Gareths306 Premier Member Last Online: May 22nd, 2014 07:23 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: its a town	im sure we think alike pigapumbu!!! Its surprising how they do light the road up for you a little bitter as i find the diped beam lights arent that good really. And as you said, they are low down. Unlike other cars whichhave them mounted higher up or pointed upwards. i cant see the problem with having them on personally (the fronts)! But im sure the next person to post will disagree!!!

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