Brake light modulators - reactions from police and MOT testers

RSavage

RSavage

Registered user
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
570
Reaction score
0
Location
Sevenoaks
Hi

I've got a brake light modulator from http://www.smidsy.biz/ledbrakemodulator.php and was wondering what real life experiences people have of using them (or similar items) in UK, i.e. reactions from MOT testers and police? I was thinking of using it to drive a pair of HG LED stop lights (they're the rectangular jobs about 50mm x 15mm - can't show a picture 'cos HG has gone the way of all good things) fitted under the luggage rack. The OE stop/tail light will function as normal.

For what it's worth the stop lights and hazard warning lights on my Volvo operate in a number of ways depending on the severity of braking. Also, many years ago the Ogle Aston Martin had brake lights which operated in proportion to the brake pedal pressure.

TIA

Richard
 
If i read it correctly if a auxiliary stop light is fitted it is subject to the same rules as the stop original light
A stop light fitted by the manufacturer and which has been subject to type approval is fine
 
IMO they are as annoying as drivers who "cover the brake pedal". They are operating the brake light but doing no actual braking.
It's yet another source of visual noise on our roads.


Sent from a widget that can't spell.
 
So it's OK for the stop lights and hazards (per my Volvo) to flash madly under particular conditions, i.e. emergency braking, because that has been given type approval?

Regarding 'drivers who cover brake lights': couldn't agree more. 99% of motorists are unaware of Highway code Rule 114. AIUI learners are now taught to hold the car on the clutch rather than use the parking/hand brake when stationary. This is encouraged by 'Hill Start Assist'. Unfortunately, we are often also, unavoidably, guilty of covering the brakes. Interestingly, I heard that one bike manufacturer has introduced a variant of HSA which holds the rear brake on without rider input when the bike is stationary. Whether the stop light illuminates as well is something that I don't know.



Thanks to all. I think I'll leave the brake light modulator in its box.

Rgds

Richard
 
Miff said:
Why not fit the modulator with an inline fuse. Come MOT time, remove the fuse :thumb
Click to expand...

MOT-time is easily dealt with by means of a fuse - as you say - or switch. It's Mr Plod that I was more concerned about.
 
Mr K said:
Is there a reason why you think you need one?

:beerjug:
Click to expand...

None at all - apart from an incurable inclination to tinker.

Jokes aside, I do think that the stop light is a teeny weeny bit small (I'm sure that it complies with the relevant size legislation) and quite well hidden when the panniers are fitted. Last winter I only narrowly avoided being rear-ended by a car because the text-ing mouth-breather, alledgedly controlling said vehicle, went up on the curb on my left (still mono-tasking with her phone) and stopped so that she was level with me. When I expressed doubts about her suitability as a person to be in charge of a vehicle I received an astounding stream of invective.

SMIDSY also make a deceleration activated hazard flasher (per my Volvo) but I reckon if that's activated I'd rather guarantee death than risk a partial cessation of life.
 
RSavage said:
None at all - apart from an incurable inclination to tinker.

Jokes aside, I do think that the stop light is a teeny weeny bit small (I'm sure that it complies with the relevant size legislation) and quite well hidden when the panniers are fitted. Last winter I only narrowly avoided being rear-ended by a car because the text-ing mouth-breather, alledgedly controlling said vehicle, went up on the curb on my left (still mono-tasking with her phone) and stopped so that she was level with me. When I expressed doubts about her suitability as a person to be in charge of a vehicle I received an astounding stream of invective.

SMIDSY also make a deceleration activated hazard flasher (per my Volvo) but I reckon if that's activated I'd rather guarantee death than risk a partial cessation of life.
Click to expand...

And you think a brake light modulator would have made the slightest difference?
 
Mike O said:
And you think a brake light modulator would have made the slightest difference?
Click to expand...

Every little helps?

Incidentally Mike, I didn't reply to your first comment: I've never seen a modulated brake light in operation in UK. Have you?

Rgds

Richard
 
RSavage said:
Hi

I've got a brake light modulator from http://www.smidsy.biz/ledbrakemodulator.php and was wondering what real life experiences people have of using them (or similar items) in UK, i.e. reactions from MOT testers and police? I was thinking of using it to drive a pair of HG LED stop lights (they're the rectangular jobs about 50mm x 15mm - can't show a picture 'cos HG has gone the way of all good things) fitted under the luggage rack. The OE stop/tail light will function as normal.

For what it's worth the stop lights and hazard warning lights on my Volvo operate in a number of ways depending on the severity of braking. Also, many years ago the Ogle Aston Martin had brake lights which operated in proportion to the brake pedal pressure.

TIA

Richard
Click to expand...

Richard
are the cars you mention standard UK spec and sold here as official? I have been told by more than one source in the past that modulating lights, front or rear are illegal on powered vehicles in the uk, unless something's changed recently
 
trainman said:
Richard
are the cars you mention standard UK spec and sold here as official? I have been told by more than one source in the past that modulating lights, front or rear are illegal on powered vehicles in the uk, unless something's changed recently
Click to expand...


Yep, '58 plate UK spec V70 Volvo. It's part of the EBA system. I'll dig the words out in a while. The 'christmas tree' effect is speed and, probably, 'G' dependent and becomes wilder as the urgency of the boot-to-stop-button increases. It goes something like this: under emergency braking above a certain speed the brake lights flash for a while and are then replaced by flashing hazard lights (I'm not sure if it's front as well as rear and for how long) and solid brake lights. I think that the significant difference between the Volvo and the gadget from SMIDSY is that the Volvo flashing is 'intelligent' and does not operate under normal driving conditions.

Richard
 
If something is Type Approved for fitment on a vehicle in another EU country then it has to be allowed here as well - but ONLY as Original Equipment. HID headlamps are a case in point - AIUI they don't meet the relevant UK standards/specifications for vehicle headlamps, but as they are legal in some other EU countries, they have to allow them here. Strictly speaking they shouldn't be fitted as an aftermarket modification.

That would be my understanding of fitting e.g. flashing brake lights too.
 
King Key said:
I think the rear light and brake light should be further apart, it would make the brake light appear more obvious.
Click to expand...


Agree with you there.

On my 1150GS I used a pair of square fog lights as the stop lights and the OE stop light as a fog light.

Richard
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Brake light modulators
Replies
10
Views
2,205
turbine_2
turbine_2


Back
Top Bottom