Rain light - missed opportunity

[Rick Kirchner]

I was thinking about the whole expensive rain light BS and realized what a missed opportunity there was.

Say this thing was produced with multi-color LEDs, a CAN bus and/or a steering wheel switch panel. We could have had a useful driver signaling device.

Could be used in conjunction with Flagtronics, as a secondary means of signaling that might be as visible to the driver as the cockpit display.

You could use it on practice days like YELLOW - rookie/I'm just learning the track. FLASHING RED - hard broke, just rollin' along (perhaps triggered from the dash under a set of pre-programmed conditions), etc.

[Peter Olivola]

I was thinking about the whole expensive rain light BS and realized what a missed opportunity there was.

Say this thing was produced with multi-color LEDs, a CAN bus and/or a steering wheel switch panel. We could have had a useful driver signaling device.

Could be used in conjunction with Flagtronics, as a secondary means of signaling that might be as visible to the driver as the cockpit display.

You could use it on practice days like YELLOW - rookie/I'm just learning the track. FLASHING RED - hard broke, just rollin' along (perhaps triggered from the dash under a set of pre-programmed conditions), etc.

As only an engineer would suggest and my answer is TMI.

[DaveW]

I was thinking about the whole expensive rain light BS and realized what a missed opportunity there was.

Say this thing was produced with multi-color LEDs, a CAN bus and/or a steering wheel switch panel. We could have had a useful driver signaling device.

Could be used in conjunction with Flagtronics, as a secondary means of signaling that might be as visible to the driver as the cockpit display.

You could use it on practice days like YELLOW - rookie/I'm just learning the track. FLASHING RED - hard broke, just rollin' along (perhaps triggered from the dash under a set of pre-programmed conditions), etc.

It's too expensive as it is - with these additions the price would probably double.

[Hardingfv32]

While expensive to many, the FIA Spec light is a simple and easy way for SCCA to implement a better rain light. Anything beyond this spec would have required a SCCA development program which is simply not going to happen.

Brian

[kea]

While expensive to many, the FIA Spec light is a simple and easy way for SCCA to implement a better rain light. Anything beyond this spec would have required a SCCA development program which is simply not going to happen.

Brian

No proof that this FIA spec light is any better then the earlier LED versions.
Just because they said so doesn't count.

[Offcamber1]

It's too expensive as it is - with these additions the price would probably double.

The SCCA mandated SFI approved version would be at least $500 and it must be replaced every 2 years...

[BLS]

No proof that this FIA spec light is any better then the earlier LED versions.
Just because they said so doesn't count.

Regardless of agreement on it's inclusion, meeting the FIA spec does alleviate the SCCA of having to create and police a new spec of it's own design or one from SFI.

It's not that darn expensive, just unfortunate for those that already have a decent light that doesn't meet the spec. I'm in the process of of replacing my already good one with one of these, and that will probably be the least expensive thing I'm doing.

[Rick Kirchner]

It's too expensive as it is - with these additions the price would probably double.

Given that Pyrotect told me the cost to get FIA approval for each variant of seat belt is $10K, I don't think the price of this light has anything remotely to do with the cost.

[Rick Kirchner]

As only an engineer would suggest and my answer is TMI.

Jealous you didn't pay more attention in high school physics, Peter?

[kea]

Regardless of agreement on it's inclusion, meeting the FIA spec does alleviate the SCCA of having to create and police a new spec of it's own design or one from SFI.

It's not that darn expensive, just unfortunate for those that already have a decent light that doesn't meet the spec. I'm in the process of of replacing my already good one with one of these, and that will probably be the least expensive thing I'm doing.

Many of the earlier LED tail lights had a FIA number, not just the one they currently chose.

[Peter Olivola]

Jealous you didn't pay more attention in high school physics, Peter?

Again, as only an engineer would post. I did just fine in H.S. physics. I wasn't then and am not now interested in becoming a one dimensional person.

[J Leonard]

No proof that this FIA spec light is any better then the earlier LED versions.
Just because they said so doesn't count.

And I'm sure they tested the $22 approved Super Bright LED Inc. PT-STRB-R24 against all FIA standards.

[DanW]

And I'm sure they tested the $22 approved Super Bright LED Inc. PT-STRB-R24 against all FIA standards.

I think they just pushed the big red "Easy" button.

[Matt Clark]

I think we would have a better chance at getting Flagtronics to add the ability for an external light that we could plug caution lights into. Especially if they now have the formula car version with a separate display & control box.
I know it was suggested in the original FT thread somewhere... I said exactly what you are now, and someone else suggested LED strips on the mirrors somehow.

[Rick Kirchner]

Again, as only an engineer would post. I did just fine in H.S. physics. I wasn't then and am not now interested in becoming a one dimensional person.

Funny statement from someone that identifies as a data analyst.

[Peter Olivola]

Funny statement from someone that identifies as a data analyst.

Not being one dimensional is what made me a good data analyst.

[Ed Womer]

So it is about the FIA fee not the light?

In my correspondence with the BOD director his reasoning was it need to be easy for the overworked tech, so they only need to look for a sticker. The last time I was at tech they weren't doing anything. Shame they can't determine if the light is bright but can search for a sticker. Kinda like annual tech, check helmet date, head restrain date and seat belt date. That is really thorough.

Ed

[pacratt]

Rick & Peter:
Could you two please take this out to the playground at recess?
Debate - even argument - is welcome...but the petty personal remarks are ridiculous...doesn't matter who started it.
Glenn