Maybe an odd lighting post, but...

[CTHalk]

Would it be possible to run a modulator unit on two driving lights? Modulation of the two small spots would probably not be taken as a "go ahead and pull in front of me" signal like a modulated main headlight might be.

How about PIAA 002-X? Would they be usable on a bike?

Just thinking. H.

[SIBUD]

Hmmm, Fed law permits headlights to be modulated. Not sure if they permit aux lights to be modulated.

Even if they were permitted, in Illinois it wouldn't make any difference because state law requires aux lights to be extinguished when meeting traffic: either going in the other direction or in your direction.

625 ILCS 5/12‑210) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑210)
Sec. 12‑210. Use of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps. (a) Whenever the driver of any vehicle equipped with an electric driving head lamp, driving head lamps, auxiliary driving lamp or auxiliary driving lamps is within 500 feet of another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, the driver shall dim or drop such head lamp or head lamps and shall extinguish all auxiliary driving lamps.
(b) The driver of any vehicle equipped with an electric driving head lamp, head lamps, auxiliary driving lamp or auxiliary driving lamps shall dim or drop such head lamp or head lamps and shall extinguish all auxiliary driving lamps when there is another vehicle traveling in the same direction less than 300 feet to the front of him.
(c) No vehicle shall have the lighting system modified to allow more than 2 electric head lamps to be lighted while operating in the dimmed or dropped position.
(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the use of auxiliary driving lamps, commonly referred to as "fog" lamps, when used in conjunction with head lamps, if such auxiliary driving lamps are adjusted and so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1144.)


Emphasis added in all cases.

Since the purpose of light modulation is to make you more visible to others, having to extinguish the aux lights as per the law above defeats the purpose modulating them.

[85343]

Modulators are legal in all 50 states. In VT modulating auxilary lights are not legal for non emergency vehicles. A modulator cycles at 240 pulses/minute which is much different from the flash to go ahead. I have been using a modulator since 1999 with great results.

Kurt

[glwestcott]

Modulators are legal in all 50 states. In VT modulating auxilary lights are not legal for non emergency vehicles. A modulator cycles at 240 pulses/minute which is much different from the flash to go ahead. I have been using a modulator since 1999 with great results.

Kurt

Of course this is an N of One Study, but I have not had a car pull out in front of me since I have had my modulator. I have had a few cars pull over for me - a side benefit the way I see it. At any rate, I don't think with the rapid pulses anyone would mistake it for a flash to go ahead and pull in front of me. Great device as far as I am concerned.:thumb

[deilenberger]

I will advise anyone using a modulator to bring along the printed out version of the Federal law that permits and defines the use of them on motorcycles..

After using them for about 7 years - I was finally pulled over for mine, in a small local burg near my house. Deputy Dawg was about 12 years old (well - he looked 12..) and told me "Your headlight is blinking" - I replied, "No - it's modulating".. he didn't seem to understand that and started on the license/registration crap, so I asked if I could show him the law that made it legal.

I had a copy of the law that Kisan provides with their modulator - handed it to him and watched his lips move as he read it (I'm not making this up..)

Finally he sez "OK - but why are you using it?"

To which I replied "Well - you saw me right?"

I saw a very small bulb go off over his head, and he sez "Have a nice day.." and took off.

[04R1150RS]

Just my two cents on the use of TWO modulators (twice as much money too), do you really need it:dunno ? Just put one on the head light that's plenty! You be modulating w/ the high beam and that's plenty bright. I understand needing to be seen as I'm all for it, but that seems like overkill. While at the Rally in Vermont some guys went to extremes to put WAY to many lights on their bikes, more irritating and overkill. My goodness I don't need to be looking at the Sun. Save all those lights for driving on the backroad when no one else is around.

I've probably opened up a can of worms here.

[CTHalk]

I was thinking about how some people take a 'flashing' (and I use the word flashing, because most car drivers don't know the word modulating) headlight as being a signal for them to 'go ahead and pull out'. However, if they see two 'flashing' lights, they may have to actually think about this unusual sight they are seeing. I know that on my sidecar rig, people actually noticed me because of the unusualness of the foreign object in front of them. I am looking for the same principle..looking 'out of the ordinary' and thus being noticed. As a teacher, I know more than many, that you cannot assume the audience has any concept of common sense things, even though it seems like common sense to you.
However, I don't want undue attention from the authorities either.

Hmmm.... maybe mounting a dummy Browning on the front crash bar! I spent some time in AZ in 1979/1980. I noticed a fair amount of riders carried sidearms (legally if carried visibly, unlike CT where they must be concealed). They told me that you get noticed a lot better when you have a big old sidearm in plain view!

[mrich12000]

:type I found a some very good driving lights at a major surplus store here in Ontario. The lights were 7" fog lamps 55 watts hologen look really nice on the bike perfect extra lighting at night they illuminate the forword cast and are perfect for ditch avoidence.:thumb