Driving with your lights ON - Yes or No?

[StephenC]

im sure on my 7 seater the hazzards come on when braking hard on motorway,

I think that is probably true. There was talk of fitting this a few years ago so maybe some manufacturers have gone ahead. Mercedes also have the foglights on one side come on when a vehicle is turning - I think that's not strictly right either, but maybe there is a clause somewhere that allows this. The RTA and EU legislation are pretty complex.

[Bluebottle]

Interestingly (to me at least) this is one of those things that the regulations didn't allow but public use forced a change.

Originally you couldn't use hazards on the move but people who did a lot of miles started using hazards when they were approaching slow traffic or queues . It was forbidden but a good idea so the change was made to the regs.

Personally I'm not keen on brakin-hazards being automatic, when you can't see the whole vehicle it looks like an indicator which could be confusing.

[burgerman]

Wing lights on all the time, no off switch. Like it that way.

Agreed, also just like VW use on Passats, really hard to see them

Just about impossible if they're braking at the same time.

[Deeping]

Trying to figure out how to do the lighting mod on the TMax so I can use the dipped of the H4 (which never comes on) to come on with the H7 but switch to the high beam when needed (which also leaves the H7 on)

I used two relays so the dip on the right comes on with the dip on the left but the dip on the left stays on when the right is on full beam so I always have two headlights shining when the headlamps are turned on

[Funkycowie]

according to bigwheelsturning on the majesty usa site you just splice into the H7 power and run a wire with an inline fuse to the spare input on the H4 using a spade connector.

[spaceprobe]

I have to say I have never understood why bikers etc don't want to wear high vis vests and proper gear ect. If you had seen all the terrible things I have in 35 years of nursing you would not think twice.

[StephenC]

Trying to figure out how to do the lighting mod on the TMax so I can use the dipped of the H4 (which never comes on) to come on with the H7 but switch to the high beam when needed (which also leaves the H7 on)

I used two relays so the dip on the right comes on with the dip on the left but the dip on the left stays on when the right is on full beam so I always have two headlights shining when the headlamps are turned on

Best buy a Satelis, then, to avoid all this mucking about with the electrics. The lights come out of the factory as having the dip stay on when the main is triggered.

[Deeping]

according to bigwheelsturning on the majesty usa site you just splice into the H7 power and run a wire with an inline fuse to the spare input on the H4 using a spade connector.

yes that works and now you have doubled the amps that spark across the handle bar switch, was it made for double the amps, how long will it now last?
The other point is you go from two dipped beam lights about 110w to one full beam 60w.
Some of his stuff if interesting but I don't think he has thought through the lighting
If you do it with relays and feed from the battery you get two lights all the time and they are brighter, my tmax lost 1.5v through all the connectors and switches. Just make sure the relays you buy are 'break before make', most automotive ones are. You can also get duel pole relays so when one terminal is on the other is off and then they switch over.
I think the battery for your max is at the front so you may not get the volt drop as I did but still worth running lights from a relay from the battery.

[Taipan]

On my old Nexus when I knew I would be riding in the day light for the spring to autumn months I would adjust the main beam to the same height as the dipped so I could have both on in an attempt to be more visible.

Trying to figure out how to do the lighting mod on the TMax so I can use the dipped of the H4 (which never comes on) to come on with the H7 but switch to the high beam when needed (which also leaves the H7 on)

On the MK1 you just piggy backed a terminal and ran the feed wire from the dipped beam beam across to the unused terminal on the main beam bulb. Just a bit of wire and a one piggy back spade terminal and one normal one is is all thats needed. The wire doesnt get hot there's no need for a fused relay set up.

Back to daytime lights, there is quite a bit written up against this. In winter they can break up, or fill in your silhouette against the low winter sun. Then there is the issue of people cant calculate distances of an approaching light source as well as they can an unlit one. Speed bumps and pot holes can make it look like you flashed a driver so he pulls out of the side road in front of you. Then you have the headlight of invincibility scenario where you assume everyone can see you as you have your headlight on and get a false sense of security and your reaction times drop accordingly. Some very convincing studies out there and in many peoples mind its more than proven that daytime riding lights are a bad thing overall. For moi I just never relie on them and adpat the "I'm invisible" approach to riding, e.g. no one can see me and probably will pull out on me.

[anonstarter]

I find it depends on how insecure I feel as to whether I put my lights on in town. On the 30mph+ roads I do feel 'happier' with them on.

I've swopped the twin (both on at the same time) HS1 35W for H4 60/55W bulbs and the difference is 'profound'. High Beam is 'wow' and last night on the A30 (@80mph) I found I was holding my breath because they highlighted the 'millions' of bugs I was riding through!

...adapt the "I'm invisible" approach to riding, e.g. no one can see me and probably will pull out on me.

That is THE answer.