Proper supplementary lamp aiming is the most important part of a fog light installation. Failure to do so not only hinders optimum performance achievement, but can also be extremely dangerous. The dangers come when the beam pattern is aimed straight into oncoming vehicles leaving the drivers blinded or if aimed too high, the light reflects off rain, snow and/or fog blinding you.
Traditional fog lights are usually mounted under the front bumper about 10-24 inches from the ground. There are two important issues to address when installing fog lights:
1. How to minimize the amount of return glare into the driver’s eyes, and
2. How to minimize glare into oncoming driver’s eyes.
Both must be accomplished while putting as much light as possible on the road. SAE standard J583 provides detailed fog light aiming instructions that should become a common practice for proper installation. Some modifications to these instructions may be necessary to minimize glare. Visual aim is made with the top of the beam 4 inches below the lamp center at 25 feet with the lamp facing straight forward.
The light source you use can have a defining effect on the atmosphere of the space it illumes. There are many options to choose from, but which would best suit your purpose? Halogen bulbs have been in use for decades and offer a brighter yellowish alternative to the darker yellowish glow of an incandescent bulb, but still yellowish in color. Recently, however, affordable higher power LEDs have come to the marketplace and are increasingly becoming the bulb of choice for auto owners due to its performance and pure white luminance.
LED lights are lamps and lighting solutions that use light emitting diodes (LEDs) - basic semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy into light. They offer a longer life span (about 60,000 hours), lower energy consumption (in some cases as low as .5 watts or even lower), improved robustness and damage resistance, smaller sizes, faster switching times, and better durability and reliability. Another unique feature of an LED light is that it can illume in white, red, orange, amber, yellow, green, and blue depending on the semiconductor materials used in the diode and the heat it produces. Color temperatures are measured using the Kelvin (K) scale - simply a unit of measurement used for temperature, much like Fahrenheit and Celsius. Color temperature measures the color of an LED bulb via the color spectrum, which defines the amount of blue, white, yellow or red that is in a light. The colors are given numerical Kelvin ratings and are characterized by intensity, warm, clean white, natural white, cool, etc. The higher the number on the Kelvin scale of your LED light, the cooler, or less warm the color temperature. Imagine the yellowish color of light given off by a candle. It would rank low, at about 1900K whereas the sunlight at noon in July would be bright blue/white and substantially higher, say 7000K. Using the Kelvin scale, bulbs around 3000K are warm in color, 3500K is neutral and 5000K is cool in color. Most bright white LED lights would measure around a cool 6000K.
The halogen light bulb is a type of incandescent lamp which uses an halogen gas to increase both light output and rated life. They are known for moderately high efficiency, quality of light, and high graded life compared to regular incandescent lamps. A halogen lamp functions identically to an incandescent lamp, with one notable exception: The halogen cycle. In a typical incandescent lamp, tungsten slowly evaporates from the burning filament. This causes blackening of the lamp, which decreases light output and reduces life. Halogen lamps are largely able to eliminate this problem because the halogen gas reacts chemically with the evaporated tungsten to prevent it from affixing to the glass. Some tungsten is returned to the filament, which also serves to increase the life of the lamp. Because the temperature required for this reaction is higher than a typical incandescent bulb, halogen lamps must generally be manufactured using quartz. In terms of a Kelvin rating, halogen bulbs measure in the 3200K range and has a life span of about 2,000 burning hours or more.
While a halogen bulb has a number of advantages over an incandescent light, LEDs contain a number of benefits over both incandescent and halogen lamps. These include:
Color Profile: LEDs are available in a whole range of colors. Since they can burn brighter without overheating, they offer a wider range of color choices. By themselves, halogen lights burn much hotter than incandescent bulbs and therefore produce a less efficient bright yellow light. The only way a halogen could provide a different color is when its casing is coated with a color of choice - which in turn restricts the light’s intensity. This might be good for some situations, but when a brighter alternate color is desired, LED would be the better option.
Energy Consumption: Halogen bulbs use a large amount of electricity to produce light. LEDs on the other hand use only a fraction of the power. They are also better for the environment as they reduce the carbon footprint of those who use them through lower power consumption.
Long Lasting: While Halogen lamps last longer than their incandescent counterparts, LEDs can burn for a staggering 60,000 hours. In that time a consumer would have to buy several replacement halogen bulbs to reach the same longevity. This saves a large amount of money on replacements and on maintenance times. Install an LED and don't worry about it for years to come.
Durable: LEDs are made from a solid semiconductor which makes them much more durable than halogen bulbs. Halogen lights are made from quartz glass and therefore are much more fragile. They can be broken when dropped or bashed, and while the quartz gives them more durability than incandescent bulbs, LEDs are far more reliable. Drop one and it will probably still work.
Compact Design: LEDs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be manufactured to almost any specification. This is why they are included in everything from high power fog lights and daytime running lights to low power dash board indicator lights. Halogen lamps are more constrained by their bulb design, and as such are less adaptable. LEDs can happily sit almost flush in an automobile grille or bezel without having to make major changes to the surroundings.
In many cases LEDs are preferred due to their style and accessory flare. But as described above, they also offer additional benefits that outshine the halogen lamps. And even though both can illume the road, the choice comes down to what the customer prefers.
Auer Automotive Fog Lights and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are all SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) certificated! The SAE works with State and Federal agencies like the DOT (Department of Transportation), FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard), OVSC (Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance) and other Government Agencies to set the rules, laws and guidelines for the design, quality, function, placement, and performance of almost every part on a motor vehicle. The following explains what is needed to receive SAE certification for the quality requirements of fog lights and DRLs, as described in FMVSS 108 which covers “lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.”
SAE International is a global association of engineers and technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. One of SAE's core capabilities is the ability to develop a voluntary agreement of standards. SAE technical reports, which include SAE standards, SAE recommended practices, SAE Information Reports and SAE Aerospace Material Specifications are developed by SAE's technical committees. These consist of technical experts from government, industry, regulatory agencies and academia. SAE technical committees are responsible for the preparation, development and maintenance of all relevant technical reports within their scope. A designated sponsor for these reports serves as the focal point within the committee for activities associated with the development of the technical report. This includes preparing drafts and resolving all comments received during the approval process. For these technical reports to be approved, the sponsor submits a draft to SAE. Committee members vote and provide feedback to the sponsor - who will then attempt to resolve all concerns the members may have had. The report then goes to the governing body of the initiating committee for a process level review. Once approved by this governing body, SAE will publish the technical report.
The tests as they pertain to Fog Lights and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) include:
Photometry is the scientific measurement of light, in terms of its perceived brightness to the human eye. With regard to fog lights and daytime running lights, the manufacturers must have each lamp tested to guarantee compliance with the specific performance requirements as set forth by SAE. Typical Photometric Tests include testing for luminous flux, lamp efficacy, color rendering index (CRI), correlated color temperature (CCT), spectral distribution measurements, luminance measurements, Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor (LLMF), UV content (e.g. of sun tanning equipment), Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems (according to IEC 62471 or AORD), Laser classification (according to IEC 60825) and Reflection and transmission measurements. After being exposed to the elements, if any of the previously mentioned occurs, the test would be considered a failure.
Front fog lamps provide a wide, bar-shaped beam of light with a sharp cutoff at the top, and are generally aimed and mounted low. They may produce white or selective yellow light, and are intended for use at low speed to increase the illumination directed towards the road surface and verges in conditions of poor visibility due to rain, fog, dust or snow. This procedure describes a method of measuring the resistance to wet color transfer of dyed, printed, or otherwise colored textile yarns and composites thereof and is usually conducted through either the Visual Method, the Tristimulus Method, or both. The purpose is to establish a means of ranking the relative resistance to wet staining of composites which contain dyed or colored textile fibers. If the lamp results show nonresistance to the staining, then it was deemed a failure.
This SAE Recommended Practice was designed to be an accelerated vibration test that subjects bulbs to critical vibration/shock loading (at a rate of 750 ± 25 cpm) - typically observed in normal vehicle service and can be employed for conformance of production (COP) testing. After completion of the test, the lamp is visually and manually inspected for evidence of material physical weakness, lens or reflector rotation, and displacement or rupture of parts (except bulb failures). If evidence is found for any of the previously listed items, it will be considered a test failure. In case of lens and/or reflector rotation, the lamp will be considered not to have failed if subsequent photometry testing indicates compliant performance with the photometric requirements for the device despite such rotation.
The purpose of a Corrosion Test is to provide a means to evaluate and compare the corrosiveness of insulation materials. The rationale behind it is that the corrosion of steel should not be greater for the insulated materials than for the inert fibrous materials. To test this theory, the lamp is subjected to two 24 hour cycles of concentrated salt solution exposure with 1 hour drying time after each cycle. Immediately after the test is completed the lamp is washed with warm tap water and then evaluated for any visible evidence of corrosion that could affect the proper functioning of the lamp. If there is any doubt concerning test outcome, the lamp will then be subjected to a Photometric Test to determine if the Corrosion Test has impaired the proper functioning of the lamp.
The relevance of a Moisture Test is to conclude whether or not a lamp, when exposed to water, would create vapor concentration within the lamp. To determine this, the lamp is subjected to a precipitation of 0.1 in. of water per minute for 12 hours. Upon completion of the 12-hour test period, the lamp is allowed to drain for 1 hour – while keeping it in its original test position. After the 1-hour drain period, the lamp is removed from the testing chamber while remaining accumulated water is collected in a graduated vessel. If the accumulated moisture measures in excess of 2 cc. or any moisture remains visible in the sealed reflex unit of the lamp, the test constitutes being a failure.
The Dust Test is performed to determine if the lamp’s electronic components can function under extreme environmental conditions. At intervals of 15 minutes during a test period of 5 hours, the lamp is subjected to 2 second blasts of agitated dust (compressed or fan blower air) where the dust is completely and uniformly diffused throughout the entire test cube and allowed to settle. Once completed, the lamp’s exterior surface is cleaned with a dry soft cloth and inspected for dust on its interior surfaces. If any is found, the lamp is exposed to a photometric test to determine if maximum candlepower (cp) is within 10% of that recorded prior to the dust test. A loss of more than 10% in cp at the point of maximum cp will be considered a failure.
The purpose of an Internal Heat Test is to determine whether a lamp will show evidence of delamination, fractures, seal fractures, deterioration of bonding material, color bleeding, warp or deforming when in contact with severe heat exposure. To test its resistance, the lamp is uniformly sprayed with a mixture of dust and water (or other materials) to reduce the photometric output of the lens. Thereafter the lamp is soaked at a temperature of 35º + 4° -0º C for 1 hour and then energized for 1 hour in a still air condition, allowing the temperature to rise from the soak temperature. At the end of the hour the lamp is returned to a room ambient temperature of 23° + 4° -0º C and a relative humidity of 30%±10% and allowed to stabilize to the room ambient temperature. The lens is then cleaned and inspected to determine if any of the above mentioned resulted. If so, the test was a failure.
Like the Moisture Test, the purpose behind the Humidity Test is to determine if the lamp would have any moisture built up only this time when exposed to severe temperatures. In the same way the lamp is placed in a controlled environment at a temperature of 100°+7°-0º F (38º+4º-0° C) with a relative humidity of not less than 90%. It would be subjected to 24 consecutive 3-hour test cycles where in each cycle, the amp is energized for 1 hour at design voltage with the highest combination of filament wattages that are intended to be used, and then de-energized for 2 hours. After the hour, the lamp is removed and inspected for moisture. If any evidence of interior delamination or moisture, fogging or condensation visible without magnification exists, the test is considered a failure.
Once approved, the SAE certification must be imprinted directly onto the Fog Light or DRL and be clearly visible once mounted to the vehicle. All Auer products confidently carries this certification as they meet or exceed every SAE requirement along with all State and Federal Laws for Fog Light and DRL operations. With every Auer purchase, you are guaranteed a quality product – like hardened glass, high-end German bulbs for brightness and long life, highly reflective lenses for stronger output and perfect light patterns to ensure peace of mind on the road.
When describing automotive light beam patterns, all are designed to project light in different patterns for different functions. Factors like the shape and output of light beam patterns are established through distinct designs and unique placement of the reflectors, projectors and lenses. For example, one design uses a precise pattern on the reflector to direct the desired light pattern behind the light bulb, whereas another design places the precise pattern on the lens of the light housing. A third method of directing the light to the desired pattern is with a projector lens in front of the light bulb. Now let’s take a closer look! Automotive light beam patterns include:
This lighting pattern is designed to project light in front of the vehicle and a range of 25º to the side from the center point of the vehicle. The purpose of this pattern is to increase the light exposure farther down the road. Because of its brightness, this light also aids the low beams to light up any upcoming hazards and reflective street signs. However, these MUST be turned off during traffic as they could temporarily “blind” or disorient other drivers.
As described by the name, the Pencil Beam pattern is a very tight (narrow) projection of light in front of the vehicle with a beam of 10º to the side from the center of the vehicle for maximum range and brightness. These are used on long straight desert roads to light up hazards and signs for a very long distance. These MUST be turned off when there is oncoming traffic because they are very bright and aim straight out and not down.
Fog light patterns are designed to work with your low beams to light up the area just in front and to the sides of the vehicle. This is to improve visibility in fog, rain and snow. To prevent any light reflecting back to the driver from any of these elements, the light pattern must remain in the lower half of the lamp. The beam pattern should be 100º or more from the center for side lighting - In a perfect world that would be of 180º from center.
This beam pattern is intended primarily for distance illumination and for use when not meeting or closely following other vehicles. High beam headlamps allow center-weighted light distribution without any control over light directed toward any other highway users. They are only suitable for use when no preceding or oncoming vehicles are present.
Lower beam patterns are intended to lighten the road and the areas ahead of the vehicle when meeting or closely following another vehicle. They must project an uneven pattern with a sharp asymmetric cutoff to create a defined separation at the top of the pattern that provides adequate forward and lateral brightness but controls glare by limiting light directed towards preceding or oncoming drivers.