Driving/Fog Lamps confusion

[TomoHawk]

On eBay, you don't see any driving lamps (lights); they're always listed as driving/fog lights. Can anyone explain why? An example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hella-Optilux-Rectangular-Driving-Lamps-Fog-Lights-1402_W0QQitemZ170318575682QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27a7c73842

Most items on eBay are HID-simulations with bluish lenses. Are these lamps supposed to be dual-purpose, and can be used as either fog lamps or driving lamps? My take on driving lamps is that they have a fairly narrow projection angle and a brighter beam than fog lamps, and are mounted higher.

My goal is to put some driving lamps on the 280Z to augment the headlamps. I like the ones used on the Ford Escape.

thxZ

Edited October 31, 2009 by TomoHawk

[Arne]

Driving lights shoot a long beam for distance, can only be used to supplement high beams. True fog lights do a very broad beam that only lights up the road very close to the car. They do not overlap in function.

I gave up on auxiliary driving lights over 30 years ago. Moved to E-code headlights instead. With good headlights, auxiliary driving lights are rarely needed. Yes, the high beams are that much better.

[TomoHawk]

So why are the auctions listed as driving/fog lamps? Do they think you can use the same lamp as both driving and fog lamps, depending on how you aim them? There was no mention of having yellow or orange lenses or snap-ons for use as fog lamps.

thxZ

[Arne]

So why are the auctions listed as driving/fog lamps?

Either the sellers don't know what they are talking about, or they're counting on the buyers to not know any different.

Do they think you can use the same lamp as both driving and fog lamps, depending on how you aim them?

No. Completely different functions and beam pattern. A fog light must have a horizontal cut-off to be any good at all, and such a cut-off would ruin the function of a driving light and vice-versa.

There was no mention of having yellow or orange lenses or snap-ons for use as fog lamps.

Yellow or amber lenses are not needed for fog lights. The color is irrelevant, it's all about the beam pattern.

[TomoHawk]

E-code headlamps don't seem to be too common. It may take some searching. 7-inch E-code lamps, right? Mine are 65/85W lamps right now, but the low-beams don't carry too far.

thxZ

[26th-Z]

All I did was type "E code headlamps" in my browser bar and a dozen hits came up for 7" E code and H4 headlamps, Tomo.

[TomoHawk]

I th9onk I will need something other than E code lights because I want to have some light out to the side to see around corners.

[Arne]

I th9onk I will need something other than E code lights because I want to have some light out to the side to see around corners.

Well, you may not be happy with anything, then. For a wide, broad beam, fog lights are your only choice, but they don't throw light out very far. Often only 30-50 feet. They are designed to cut under the fog and light up only right in front of the car. Driving lights have lots more range, but very little light to the sides.

I still think that a good E-code light (Hella, Cibié or Bosch) will give you the best all around lighting. Here are a couple of threads on this. (Disclaimer, I posted heavily in both of these threads as well, saying much the same things. No, I don't work for any lighting companies! )

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21783

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35052

[TomoHawk]

I'm in the city, so wide light is better for me, IMO. I have to go hunting for a dark straight street when I want to aim the headlamps, and even though every other vehicle I see has the auxilliary lights on at any time of day (must be daytime-driving lamps?) I would probably not get to use driving lights, since the rule is that they can only go on with the high beams.

thxZ

[Jeff G 78]

FYI, there is a guy on zcar.com that goes by h4lights (http://h4lights.com). He sells Autopal E-code lights. I installed his lights on my LeMons Z for a 24 hour road race along with a pair of Hella lights. I wired each set through a relay with 12ga. wire and they were 10x better than what I have in my street Z. The Hellas were aimed way angled for corner entry and the Autopals were aimed very close to conventional. I'm not sure how they compare to other brands, but I was very happy with the Autopals. I will put them on my street Z as soon as I get around to rewiring it with a relay. They did all of the straight ahead lighting and were plenty bright even in the heavy rain and extremely foggy conditions we had during night practice.

[Arne]

At various times over the past 30+ years, I've used Autopals, as well as Hella, Cibié, Bosch, Stanley, Wipac, Lucas, Neolite, Marchal, and Carello. All of those were used in the 7" round size. I prefer Hella, with Cibié a close second. As I recall, the Autopals were OK, no glaring flaws.

Actually, ANY halfway decent H4 E-code light will far exceed any sealed beam, even sealed halogens.

I have a pair of vintage Cibié in the Z now, as the Hella don't look at all period-correct.

[TomoHawk]

I don't suppose there is a driving lamp with an incorporated cornering lamp?