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Sidelights
Granners - 25/8/14 at 04:17 PM

Do I need a sidelight switch for the IVA or can I just have Dip, Main and Fog ? Thank You.

The Black Flash - 25/8/14 at 09:32 PM

You need a separate switch. "Sidelights" are actually performing two separate functions with a single lamp - "position marker lamps" and "parking lamps." You need to be able to put the parking lamps on, on their own, with everything else turned off (ie they can be on when ignition is off).

adithorp - 25/8/14 at 09:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by The Black Flash
You need to be able to put the parking lamps on, on their own, with everything else turned off (ie they can be on when ignition is off).


That's not an IVA requirement, though it is common practice.

loggyboy - 25/8/14 at 10:24 PM

As above, you must have them, but nothing to stop you having them being switched by the ignition.

The Black Flash - 26/8/14 at 08:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
quote:
Originally posted by The Black Flash
You need to be able to put the parking lamps on, on their own, with everything else turned off (ie they can be on when ignition is off).


That's not an IVA requirement, though it is common practice.


Which bit? I've had a re-read and you're probably right about the ignition bit, translating the somewhat convoluted wording:

"Note 1: The parking lamp(s) and, if applicable, the front and rear
position lamps must be able to operate even if the device which starts
the engine is in a position which makes it impossible for the engine to
operate. "

but not about the "on on their own" bit:

"6. The switch must allow the parking lamp(s) on the same side of the
vehicle to be lit independently of any other lamps "

So in answer to the OP, yes you do need a separate switch, but they only need to be on with ignition.

gremlin1234 - 26/8/14 at 09:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
quote:
Originally posted by The Black Flash
You need to be able to put the parking lamps on, on their own, with everything else turned off (ie they can be on when ignition is off).


That's not an IVA requirement, though it is common practice.


PARKING LAMPS (see section 30, table 1)
Optional on Motor Vehicles not exceeding 6m in length and 2m in width
Prohibited on other vehicles

loggyboy - 26/8/14 at 09:28 PM

Indeed, your confusing parking lamps with position lamps (side lights)

This is the only RS relating to switching of side lights:
4. Must be switched on and off by the operation of one switch


[Edited on 26-8-14 by loggyboy]

The Black Flash - 27/8/14 at 04:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234

PARKING LAMPS (see section 30, table 1)
Optional on Motor Vehicles not exceeding 6m in length and 2m in width
Prohibited on other vehicles


Haha, completely missed that. Well there you go.

britishtrident - 27/8/14 at 06:21 PM

I think you are confusing position/side lights used for parking and "parking lamps" .By parking lamps the regs mean the ability to switch the position/side lights so that they illuminate on one side of the vehicle only to conserve the battery.

Pre-1970s Mercedes had this feature as did the Ford Tanuas TC which we know as the Cortina Mk3. In the UK parking lights were not built in but were usually a single double sided white red low wattage light that clipped on to the drivers window.




[Edited on 27/8/14 by britishtrident]

[Edited on 27/8/14 by britishtrident]

britishtrident - 28/8/14 at 07:01 AM

Snipped from Wkipedia article on Automotive Lighting.

Quote

In Germany, the StVZO (Road Traffic Licensing Regulations) calls for a different function also known as parking lamps: With the vehicle's ignition switched off, the operator may activate a low-intensity light at the front (white) and rear (red) on either the left or the right side of the car. This function is used when parking in narrow unlit streets to provide parked-vehicle conspicuity to approaching drivers.[25] This function, which is optional under UN and US regulations, is served passively and without power consumption in the United States by the mandatory side marker retroreflectors.


End Quote

CosKev3 - 28/8/14 at 08:05 AM

Think most German cars have them, certainly do on my VRS, if you put indicator on with ign off it lights up the sidelights on whichever side indicator stalk is set too.