I would like the flashing mode better if it was more F1 like with a longer duration of being off and on instead of the strobe effect that I've seen that they have. I have seen the flashing mode used on track, but haven't seen it when visibility was bad due to rain/fog. Matter of preference.... Ehhh who cares, you don't have to see it when you're in the car anyway!
__________________ 2003 VanDiemen FSCCA #29 KeithCarter.net
"Faster and faster, until
the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."
--Hunter S. Thompson
At Road America last season I ran a practice session in the rain. My dad was watching from the stands on the outside of turn five and said that as I was cresting the hill at the entry to turn six that the entire cloud of spray was illuminating with the flash. Very bright and noticable! A distraction for the person following, maybe, but at least they can see you. And who knows maybe the distraction makes it tougher for the car behind to make a pass because they have one more thing to deal with while trying to over take you.
Most of the rain lights I've seen on cars around here are so far beyond useless I can't even believe they are allowed. I have an LED flasher on my car, but the joke is on me when I'm behind some guy with a 59 cent 2watt trailer light that can't be seen beyond 5 feet in a dry paddock!
It's not like the flashing LED's takes so much less energy to run than one that stays constant-on.
In a really heavy rain race, and I had my share, as I got closer to the leading vehicle, the light would appear through the tire spray. From a slight glow through the water until I'm on top of the car ahead and it's distinct. I used that variation to determine my closing speed and when to pull out to pass (or avoid a crash).
Flashing might work for me as a dash warning light.
__________________
Keith
Averill Racing Stuff, Inc. www.racing-stuff.com
248-585-9139
My 2 cents is that the flashing function should be reserved as a warning to other drivers that the driver is slowing down either to pit or is on a warm up/ cool down lap. The fact the we are suppose to raise our arms to indicated this is a bit of a running joke for single seaters. The arm restraints are there to keep our arms in the cockpit in an event of the roll. But every drivers meeting I've been to the CoC want us to raise our arm in those situations. When you do they will come and tell you to adjust your arm restaints for your safety.
The flashing LEDS are great! Most any LED lamp is better in the fog or rain due to its narrow wavelength and more narrow focus. We sell a lot of the flashing ones, but the other LEDs we sell are just as bright, energy friendly, and don't burn out or get corroded sockets. BTW, The Afterburner can be wired for strobe or solid on. (or both if you use a brake lamp system.
__________________
Jim
859-252-2496
http://www.sracing.com
The flashing LEDS are great! Most any LED lamp is better in the fog or rain due to its narrow wavelength and more narrow focus. We sell a lot of the flashing ones, but the other LEDs we sell are just as bright, energy friendly, and don't burn out or get corroded sockets. BTW, The Afterburner can be wired for strobe or solid on. (or both if you use a brake lamp system.
Jim, I noticed your web site had a pretty good selection and prices, so I placed an order. Thanks.
Check out this video, I was in the back of the pack, thankfully, and had a great view of the action. (no one was seriously hurt... except for a few vee's)
No question that blinking LED's are more visible in the rain.
If they are not legal, the rule makers should try driving in this... how many lights can you see in the video...
Out here our Vintage club has manditory brake/rain lights on formula cars. There's just a MASSIVE difference in visibility with LED's versus conventional lights. Several of the guys have 'flashing' rains set up too. They certainly get your attention through the spray.
__________________
CREW for Jeff 89 Reynard or Flag & Comm.
My Formula F1000 has a nice rear LED rain light. I am told quite brite from other drivers. I view the light as a safety item or addition to the car. Not only do I use the light when there is rain or inclement conditions, I use the light as a warning to other drivers when there might be an incident or accident ahead to forewarn the drivers that might be in back of me. My light is not flashing but constant and I don't worry about voltage or battery loss since the F1000's recharge the battery. I think it is a great idea to have these lights, flashing or not, installed on every formula car.
While perusing the GCR to see if it specifically mentions flashing rain lights (it does not, but says "any rain light" at least 15w can be used), I thought it was interesting that it states the rain light should be mounted as high as possible in the centerline of the car. I'll bet 95% of formula cars have them near the gearbox cover. It never dawned on me to put it someplace really high (like a rollover hoop).
Food for thought. Mine will probably still be down near the gearbox.
A Flashing Rain Lamp IS legal in SCCA Per 08/'08 Fastrack
Ya beat me to it. I was the one who wrote to the CRB asking 2 questions...Could I have a flashing rain light...and could i turn it on whenever I wanted to. The answer was yes to both. This came as a result of running a morning warm up to burn some fuel. I was running at about 7/10ths and turned on my rain light to draw more attention to the fact that I was going slow. I was talked to by a grid worker who was asked to talk to me by a steward about my faulty brake light....on my Swift DB-1.
General Formula Car Discussion
LED Rain Light - Is flashing better?
