Nissan LEAF Light Bulb Mods: LEDs Anyone?

[garygid]

Is such a scroling display legal in CA?

[DarkStar]

Is such a scroling display legal in CA?

Not in Oregon...

[Googler]

Is such a scroling display legal in CA?

It's a little unclear, and in any case it will depend upon interpretation by the officer and the court (this is true for almost every law). If they are in any color other than red they would be forbidden. I figure by wiring it into the brake light it will just look like another brake light. See http://law.justia.com/california/codes/ ... 25282.html

In the worst case I figure I'd get a fixit ticket, and the state would get $25 of much needed funding.

[TomT]

I wonder how long it takes to boot up... The description seems to indicate it is meant to be wired to an always-on power source. It may take long enough to wake up and start working when first powered that the brake light circuit might not be feasible.

Also, for all tickets, remember that, in California, there is now almost a 100 percent add-on for "fees..." Thus, the actual ticket amount is almost twice the face value.

Is such a scroling display legal in CA?

It's a little unclear, and in any case it will depend upon interpretation by the officer and the court (this is true for almost every law). If they are in any color other than red they would be forbidden. I figure by wiring it into the brake light it will just look like another brake light. See http://law.justia.com/california/codes/ ... 25282.html

In the worst case I figure I'd get a fixit ticket, and the state would get $25 of much needed funding.

[DarkStar]

Quick update:

Personally, I'm probably going to start out by installing the "3rd Brake PULSAR" from GoMiniGo.com since they are legal in Oregon. I've seen similar things on other vehicles and it really grabs my attention when driving.

UPDATE: Well, strike that! Even though Oregon law doesn't prohibit the third brake lights from blinking, federal law trumps all! Specifically, section S5.5.10 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. ("All stoplamps must be steady burning when in use. Steady means free from change or variation. This means that they must not modulate, flash, or vary in size, area, intensity or appearance.")

The scrolling license plate frame would be out too...

[palmermd]

Apparently you could save a bit of power by using hand turn signals..

and you can always add some bling with a Rolex or rings.

True, about 1 foot of range saved.

Now your going to start another thread like the "AC on windows up or AC off windows down" argument about range. Only this time its "Windows up blinkers on or Windows down, arm out the window" argument. I vote windows up blinkers on. oh wait, when your using the signals your going to be going very slow, so maybe it is better to put the window down and use hand signals. In fact, you could turn off the air conditioning when you want to make a turn, and lower the window and use hand signals...that has to be the best way.

[garygid]

I saw a CHP motorcycle with the quick-blink brake lights just the other day here in CA.

[DarkStar]

I saw a CHP motorcycle with the quick-blink brake lights just the other day here in CA.

State statutes usually have an exception for motorcycles, however federal law still technically "trumps" state law.

[aqn]

As an aside, true fogs used to be yellow until research showed that yellow had no advantage over white and actually was inferior to white in some circumstances.

I would certainly like to see that research. A yellow filter is used in black and white photography, as well as in ski goggles, to add contrast. Of course, the difference is that with filters and goggles, the light is filtered through a yellow filter, whereas a yellow fog light would result in yellow light being reflected. I am willing to believe yellow fog lights do diddly to add contrast, unlike yellow filters and goggles, but it'd be better if I have the scientific reasoning.

Foglamps

24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps. emphasis added!

The intention of this may have been "When it's dark outside and you need your headlights on (emphasis mine ), you cannot use foglamps as substitution for headlights."

Finally, I would like to point out that "fog lights on" and "blinding oncoming traffic" are independent things. Anecdotal evidence aside, all poorly aimed lights blind oncoming traffic, regardless of whether they're foglights.

[patrick0101]

section S5.5.10 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. ("All stoplamps must be steady burning when in use...
The scrolling license plate frame would be out too...

I understand that brake lights could not vary, but why does that have anything to do with the scrolling licence plate? It is not a brake light and would not be covered under this law. Did you see something that more specifically applied to the LED plate?