Just wanted to let everyone know, check your laws on aux. lighting before doing this mod. I got pulled over because appearently Maine law states that "any aux. lighting that is not put in place by the manufacturer is illegal within 1000 feet of other vehicles". I was told I could use it in the parking lot .. but .. woo thanks guy. Anyway, just thought I might try and save someone some trouble somewhere down the line.

Interesting. I'm not familiar with how it is in Maine, but afaik, in CA, WA, & OR, aux lighting (as clearance, driving, passing, or fogs) does not have to be oem / installed by the manufacturer. Of course, there is still regulation about the color, where it can be mounted, how it is aimed, and how it is connected to the oem wiring.

My guess is that it should be possible to have a lighted badge if the color & brightness conforms to the requirement of an aux foglight.

Well, remind me not to visit Maine with my aux. driving lamps installed. :)

Wait, is it illegal to have it on the car (even while turned off) within 1000ft or illegal to have it on the car AND switched on within 1000ft?

[if the latter, just remind me not to turn my aux. driving lamps on while i'm in Maine] :D

As previously stated, I'm familiar with aux lighting regulations related to CA, OR, & WA vehicle codes. I tried to look up similar provisions in Maine Vehicle Code, but was surprised to find that the way the rules are stated are quite different from the 3 I know.

I did not find the clause regarding aux lighting being used only when 1000 feet away from other vehicles, although that doesn't mean the clause doesn't exist. I did, though find the following items.

(1) From the Headlights Section (§1904)
Reference: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1904.html

4. (TEXT EFFECTIVE 7/1/04) Number of headlights. The following rules apply regarding the mounting of headlights.
A. A motor vehicle must have mounted on the front at least 2 headlights, one on each side. [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §21 (new); Pt. X, §2 (aff).]

5. Requirements. The following requirements apply to a headlight.
C. A headlight capable of furnishing more than 4 candlepower, if equipped with a reflector, may not be used unless the headlight is designed, equipped or mounted so that no portion of the beam of light, when projected 75 feet or more ahead, rises above a plane of 42 inches higher than and parallel with the level surface on which the vehicle stands. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]
E. An electric bulb or other lighting device of a greater capacity than 32 candlepower may not be used, except for the standard equipment sealed beam unit. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

(2) From the Foglights Section (§1909-A)
Reference: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1909-A.html

1. Fog lights. A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 fog lights upon the front of the motor vehicle that emit amber or white light as long as the rays from the lights do not shine more than 2 feet above the road at a distance of 30 feet. A fog light mounted higher than the center of the main headlights may not be illuminated while a motor vehicle is being operated on a public way. [2003, c. 340, §3 (new).]

As a layman, I would interpret the following:
Having more than 2 clusters of light pointing forward does not violate the first quote.
Having a non-standard lighted unit with lighting output more than 4 candlepower could violate the second quote, if not aimed properly.
Light units other than headlights mounted higher than the center of the main headlights could be considered illegal under the 3rd quote.

In regards to a lighted badge, based on these items, I would think that as long as the lighted badge is no brighter than 4 candlepower, and mounted no higher than the center of the main headlights, it should be within Maine's Vehicle Code. But that's just based on my interpretation after reading the codes I was able to find. There may be more, which would mean that auxiliary lighting is pretty much out of the question in Maine. Perhaps it would be better to ask a local forum.

Well, remind me not to visit Maine with my aux. driving lamps installed It seems that there may be problems if any of the aux driving lamps exceed 32 candlepower, based on subsection E of the 2nd quote above. :)

my 2 cents

32 Candlepower !! I think I can do that with one light. Heck I know I can do it with one light. I have a 10 Milliion Candlepower Flash light. it uses a 100w H4 bulb. So by inference I think I have a total light output somewhere on the order of 100 Million Candlepower :eek:

thats probably all wrong, but I know in Ca if you stay away from any shade of blue on the front of your car, you can usual get away with a stern look from law enforcement. Now with lights mounted above the hieght of the main beams, I have heard of other having problems with cops with that, even when off. One of my friends had a cop pull him over and ask him to place the covers back on the lights.

Well dammit, i guess i should put the opaque covers back on my light cluster... Though i've never had grief from any law enforcement. But that was before my recent addition. :lol: The 530's are a pretty low profile. :)

[but i like having my lamps ready to go anytime :furious:] :lol:
[maybe i'll have to look into some retractable lamp covers you can activate/deactivate from within the car... iris style lamp covers?]

[maybe i'll have to look into some retractable lamp covers you can activate/deactivate from within the car... iris style lamp covers?]


OoOooO we should do it all Stargate style!! that would be cool.:D



but I don't have a Pentagon style budget to get it done :(

Now with lights mounted above the hieght of the main beams, I have heard of other having problems with cops with that, even when off. One of my friends had a cop pull him over and ask him to place the covers back on the lights.
Under California Motor Vehicle Code, that is the case. Iirc, anything higher than 36" off the ground is considered an "off-road" light, and must be covered when in public roads, no matter whether they work or not.

Regarding the Candela limitation, I too was surprised. Either the law I quoted is outdated, from the wrong source, or there is an exception clause somehwere else.

Hmmm, 36" eh...

/me runs outside with tape measure

Update!

All my aux. driving lamps are under 36" :) The center of the tallest lamp is 2'3" with the top of the lamp being at 2'6". :banana:

[but i'll keep the covers on just in case] ;)

[but i'll keep the covers on just in case]
Good idea. Whatever the number is on the vehicle code, you may still have to go through the hassle of being stopped and inspected if it is mounted high enough.

By the way, it seems that the number is actually larger than that. I haven't re-checked the CVC, but there's a 42" number being mentioned here:
http://www.sidekickoffroad.com/offroadlites.htm So your multiple lights should be OK.

Regardless, keeping the covers on also helps protect them from road debris anyway. At the very least, they keep the lenses clean until you go off-roading.

24400. During darkness, every motor vehicle other than a
motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two lighted headlamps,
with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, and,
except as to vehicles registered prior to January 1, 1930, they shall
be located directly above or in advance of the front axle of the
vehicle. The headlamps and every light source in any headlamp unit
shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than
22 inches.

24402. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less
than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches. Driving lamps are lamps
designed for supplementing the upper beam from headlamps and may not
be lighted with the lower beam.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less
than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches. Passing lamps are lamps
designed for supplementing the lower beam from headlamps and may also
be lighted with the upper beam.



24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two
foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution
of, headlamps.
(b) On a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, the foglamps
authorized under this section shall be mounted on the front at a
height of not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches and aimed
so that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity
portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle
projects higher than a level of four inches below the level of the
center of the lamp from which it comes, for a distance of 25 feet in
front of the vehicle.

24404. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
white spotlamps, which shall not be used in substitution of
headlamps.
(b) No spotlamp shall be equipped with any lamp source exceeding
32 standard candlepower or 30 watts nor project any glaring light
into the eyes of an approaching driver.
(c) Every spotlamp shall be so directed when in use: That no
portion of the main substantially parallel beam of light will strike
the roadway to the left of the prolongation of the left side line of
the vehicle.
That the top of the beam will not strike the roadway at a distance
in excess of 300 feet from the vehicle.
(d) This section does not apply to spotlamps on authorized
emergency vehicles.
(e) No spotlamp when in use shall be directed so as to illuminate
any other moving vehicle.



24405. (a) Not more than four lamps of the following types showing
to the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time:
(1) Headlamps.
(2) Auxiliary driving or passing lamps.
(3) Fog lamps.
(4) Warning lamps.
(5) Spot lamps.
(6) Gaseous discharge lamps specified in Section 25258.
(b) For the purpose of this section each pair of a dual headlamp
system shall be considered as one lamp.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any authorized emergency
vehicle.



24406. Except as otherwise provided, the headlamps, or other
auxiliary driving lamps, or a combination thereof, on a motor vehicle
during darkness shall be so arranged that the driver may select at
will between distributions of light projected to different
elevations, and the lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that the
selection can be made automatically.

So there it is, the law. Know it, break it, deal with it.



<...gets the checkbook ready>

Allow me to paraphrase [and interject my own comments to these]. Enjoy!

24400. At night your car needs at least 2 headlamps in front of the car at least above 22" and below 54". [not a problem for me, my headlamps are stock]

24402. (a) Any car may have 2 extra auxiliary driving lamps above 16" and below 42". These can only be on with the highbeams. [um, who's going to measure that? besides, i only have them on when nobody else is around]
(b) Any car may have 2 extra auxiliary passing lamps above 24" and below 42". These can be on with the high or low beams. [so this means we can have 2 EXTRA lamps in addition to driving lamps... for a total of 4 lamps! i'll count my hella 500s as my driving lamps and my hella 530s as my passing lamps :)]

24403. (a) A car may be equipped with up to 2 foglamps which are to supplement the headlamps, not replace them. [no problem. my "foglamps" definitely supplement my headlamps]
(b) Foglamps must be above 12" and below 30". The light beam must be at or below 4" from the ground 25 feet away. [mouting height no problem. beam height at 25 feet, problem... they're driving lamps now, but at least they're yellow... and aimed not to blind anyone, unless you've got some crazy @$$ed low riding car. the top of the beam is no higher than my headlamps at like 50 feet. no problems yet with law enforcement and i'm sure they're not going to go around measuring this. having mesh covers helps hide them too.]

24404. (a) A car may have 2 white spotlamps which are to supplement the headlamps, not replace them. [ohhhhh, this means we can have another 2 lamps in addition to the 2 driving lamps and 2 passing lamps for 6 total lamps! :banana:]
(b) Spotlamps must be 32 candlepower or 30 watts and can't blind oncoming drivers. [um, that's pretty weak, kinda like a small flashlight (Marvin yours doesn't count... :lol: )]
(c) Spotlamps can't be aimed into lanes to the left of the car. Spotlamps can't be aimed pointed upwards either. [no problem... besides, how are you going to blind aircraft with 32 candlepower? :huh:]
(d) Emergency vehicles are exempt from spotlamp rules. [lucky bastages... :lol:]
(e) No using spotlamps to track other vehicles. [well there goes my plans for a gimble mounted roof lamp :furious:]

24405. (a) You can't have more than 4 lamps lit at the same time which includes the following:
(1) Headlamps.
(2) Auxiliary driving or passing lamps.
(3) Fog lamps.
(4) Warning lamps.
(5) Spot lamps.
(6) Gaseous discharge lamps specified in Section 25258.
(b) For the purpose of this section each pair of a dual headlamp
system shall be considered as one lamp.
[no problem. but then again, is law enforcement really going to be trying enforcing this out on the backroads in the middle of the night? (i.e. road rally conditions :lol: i'm going to have all my lamps on when it's pitch black and i'm out in the middle of nowhere...)]
(c) Once again, emergency vehicles are exempt from subdivison (a). [lucky bastages again!]

24406. Except as otherwise mentioned, headlamps and auxilary lamps must be arranged so that the driver can select any set of lamps they want at will. (i.e. foglamps separate from spotlamps). [um, yeah... whatever this means... i'm going to wire my lamps however i need. 1 switch, 4 lamps. :D]

<...gets the checkbook ready>

Hmmm... Opaque auxiliary lamp covers for everybody! :lol:

Hmmm... Opaque auxiliary lamp covers for everybody! :lol:


I wish. I am getting ready to buy a 1/2 million dollar shack :(

I wish. I am getting ready to buy a 1/2 million dollar shack :(
That can't be good when you have to use the "shack" nomenclature...