Reduce your Need for Headlights: Achieving Savings with Night Vision

[JockoT]

Old voltage regulator. It controlled the field current.

[acparker]

How 'bout installing extra long curb feelers, adding a set front and back? You could call them car feelers. You'ld need to drive slower, as the added drag at highway speeds would negate any improvements in fuel efficiency from deleting the headlights.

Originally Posted by JockoT

I cannot afford night vision goggles but, instead of night time lights, I use a white stick. I lean out the driver's window and stretch as far forward as I can. Must admit, it works better at city speeds than at highway speeds. I also make use of the extra light provided by other drivers flashing at me. A win win situation.

[Frank Lee]

Just think how great it will be when the entire fleet is autonomous- no exterior lighting needed at all!

[Xist]

Shiny, do you actually have night vision? I really do not believe it, because if you did, you would rip them off whenever you encountered a street light and you would be blinded whenever you passed an oncoming car. This is a picture I took inside using night vision. Not bad, eh?



I was looking through a pinhole.

A pinhole.

A hole perhaps 1/16th of an inch across.

Just think how much more light would have come through without the lens covers on.

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by JockoT

Old voltage regulator. It controlled the field current.

I like it. Looks nice and reasonable to build!

[ShinyMew]

Originally Posted by Xist

Shiny, do you actually have night vision? I really do not believe it, because if you did, you would rip them off whenever you encountered a street light and you would be blinded whenever you passed an oncoming car. This is a picture I took inside using night vision. Not bad, eh?



I was looking through a pinhole.

A pinhole.

A hole perhaps 1/16th of an inch across.

Just think how much more light would have come through without the lens covers on.

As I was hoping the last paragraph of my original post would suggest, this thread was indeed created in jest. Peripheral vision is obviously extremely important when driving, and I always suspected current night vision tech was inadequate in this regard. Your post seems to confirm this - thanks!

[Xist]

Yes, it is more like night tunnel vision.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

The larger reason I have my lights on is so that others - those without night vision goggles - can see ME. I live in a city, so I can see fine without...but not a chance I'd go out there without them working.

If you want to save power/alternator drag, switch everything over to LEDs. I'm quite pleased with my ~$20 ebay LED headlights; they're about the same brightness as the power-hungry halogens but only use 1/4 the power. All bulbs converted over only pulls about 5 amps. You can go alternatorless if it's important enough.

YOu know it's ILLEGAL to alter headlamps?
the issue has nothing to do with 'brightness'.

tak a picture of the light from the correct bulb shining on a wall, the replace 1 of the bulbs and take a camparision pic.

It wont be the same.... it cant be. physics says so.

THe hot spot on the old bulb and the led are different.
THe headlamp assembly was DESIGNED to use the original bulb. period.

the are numerous post on this that used to have pictures...... (oh well)
put the article should be clear.
FACT: the led DOES NOT have the same hot spot, nor is it in the same place.

Your 'new' brightness is increased glare being incorrectly bounced off the reflective surface.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by mcrews

YOu know it's ILLEGAL to alter headlamps?
the issue has nothing to do with 'brightness'.

tak a picture of the light from the correct bulb shining on a wall, the replace 1 of the bulbs and take a camparision pic.

It wont be the same.... it cant be. physics says so.

THe hot spot on the old bulb and the led are different.
THe headlamp assembly was DESIGNED to use the original bulb. period.

the are numerous post on this that used to have pictures...... (oh well)
put the article should be clear.
FACT: the led DOES NOT have the same hot spot, nor is it in the same place.

Your 'new' brightness is increased glare being incorrectly bounced off the reflective surface.

I know this, I had to play with my LED conversions on and off for almost a week testing them indoors to get the beam pattern so it wasn't irritating other drivers.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

I know this, I had to play with my LED conversions on and off for almost a week testing them indoors to get the beam pattern so it wasn't irritating other drivers.

oilpan,
was it projector lens?