The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-09-17
LIGHTING HINTS
FOR CAR SAFETY
Laws Require Adjustment
and Operation to Insure
Protection ON Roads.

(By S. J. Williams. Director Public
Safety Division. National Safety
Counci1.)
Laws In most states now require
that 80 minutes after sunset until 30
minutes before sunrise no automobile
shall be operated unless it has suf-
Acient lights, so adjusted and operat-
ed as to make the highway safe for
the public. Motor vehicle headlights
should enable the driver to distinguish
clearly a person, vehicle or obstruc-
ton at least 200 feet ahead. Danger
GUS glare or dazzle should be avoided.
Lights to Display.
Cars should display: (A) Two head
lights when In motion, one on each
side, both lights Of equal power. Head
lights should be white or tinted but
never red. OBJ Headlights or side
parking light when motionless. Lights
should be visible at a distance of at
least 500 feet. (C) One tail-light, red,
that Is visible at a distance Of at least
500 feet. Lights should be displayed
whether car is in motion or standing.
Tail-light should be ut left or center
of a and illuminate license number
plate with a white light. !,
The Illuminating Engineering soci-
ETY., after considerable investigation
and experimentation, has formulated
q table of headlight intensities at diff
ferent angles which has been widely
circulated. If headlights conform to
this table, all dangerous or dazzling
glare will be eliminated. Many states
now require headlights to conform to
these specifications and most manufac-
turers are able to furnish such head
lights. Some Of the patented devices
now on the market, however, do not
necessarily make the headlight intensi-
ties conform to the standard. When
purchasing such devices, buyers should
ask for a guaranty. This warranty
should state the size of the lamp to be
used, the tilt of the headlight, focal
adjustment required and instructions
how to get these adjustments.
A homemade arrangement can be
devised to give satisfactory results if
lens is properly covered, frosted or
painted (not red). If light is at or
back of focus, paint upper half of
lens; If ahead of focus, light rays
cross, so paint lower half of lens.
Sizes Of Bulbs.
Different devices require different
sizes of bulbs. Headlight bulbs in
some states are no allowed to ex-
coed a rating of "a candle-power; in
other states the maximum is so
candle-power.
The bulb in some headlights can be
moved slightly backward or forward
by adjusting a small set-screw. To
focus a bulb, allow light to shine on
a wall Is feet away. Move bulb back
ward or forward until the circle of
light on wall is of smallest possible
diameter. The majority of headlight
devices call for this adjustment. A
few call for an adjustment either be-
hind or ahead of the focal center;
correct adjustment for either posi-
ton gives largest possible spot of
hSnt WAIuOul q lain Va oAuOO0 NChT
| ter.
Headlights should be tilted up or
down as required by the different
types of headlight devices. Car vi
bration easily changes the tilt and
focal adjustments; frequent tests and
readjustments are necessary.
Spotlight should be installed as high
up on the car as practicable. 1t
should be impossible to make the cen
ter Of its beam Of light strike the level
highway more than 80 feet ahead of
the car; except when swung 80 de-
grees to right or left of straight ahead
position, then no limitation is placed
on the height to which the beam ray
may be raised. Size Of lamp used In
spotlight should not exceed a rating
of 81 candle-power.
Always carry a spare bulb for your
headlights, the same as you do a
spare tire.
Headlight lens may loosen and ro-
tate in the frame; inspect it frequent
ly, adjust and tighten if necessary.
Refectors need careful attention.