Is it legal to have 4 low beam headlights on at the same time?

[Brian Diehl]

I have purchased the hella e-code sealed beam headlights to put on my bus.  I bought 4 high/low beam headlights.  Is it legal to have all 4 low beams on at once?  I could setup the inner low beams on a separate switch so I could turn them on or off independently from the outer low beams.

[buswarrior]

Yes, the original Pontiac 6000 back in the 80's had 4 lit at once, with two more high beam, 6 lights in total installed.

Only 2 of the lows were high/low, as the regulations said something about only 4 lit at a time, and were wired that way.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Hi yo silver]

Depends on where ya are, I suspect.  In Virginia, max of four white lights on the front illuminated at one time.
Dennis

[Brian Diehl]

Thank you Buswarrior and Dennis.

[luvrbus]

I run four illuminated at one time all over the US never had but one problem and that was Wash state because one wasn't working 



good luck

[Chopper Scott]

When I converted mine over to the h4's (twin 4x6's on each side) with relays and such I thought about doing that also but decided not to. I thought that that would limit the adjustment I had on the high beams because of the fact that the low beams in those lights would also be affected. In other words the level I could reach on the dims on those lights would be the limit I could get with the highs. My motorcycles have a single h4 bulb . That is where I got the idea. But I have to admit that the bike doesn't have the best lighting and is a compromise. I just went with one as dims and one as highs.

[rv_safetyman]

Brian, I had also thought about doing the same thing.  I think Jack Conrad runs all four.

My concern was the impression that you had the high beams on.  Some folks could be offended by that, even though you did not blind them. 

I am not sure I understand Chopper Scott's comments, but I am sure he has given it quite a bit of thought.  It seems to me that the optics of the lights would not force you to compromise the aim for either the low or high beams, but I have no information on that.

I am not all that concerned about driving on the interstate, but we got caught on a twisty 2 lane mountain highway with crappy headlights and it was terrible.  You E-code light should go a long way to avoid that kind of problem, but it would be nice to have the option (with a switch) to run two or four low beams on that kind of road.  That would be especially true if you hit fog or snow and could not run the high beams.

Jim

[Chopper Scott]

Sometimes I don't express myself to well Jim or try to much. With 4 headlights all 4 are positioned differently when adjusted right. I was afraid that if I adjusted the high beams where I wanted them and also let them switch over and run on the low beams that they would be blinding oncoming traffic yet. Basically I didn't want my low beams dictating how high I could run my high beams. That's why I wired them seperate. One pair high, one pair low. I could however make my designated low beams run on the high beam side also when on brights. Complicated!! I need to get on the road! 

[rv_safetyman]

I better understand what you are saying.  It sounds like you are aiming the high beams for distance (perhaps higher elevation than spec).  Indeed, if you are going that direction, that would put the low beams alignment too high. 

I tried to better understand headlight aiming by reading:  http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html.  I am too tired tonight to do the subject justice, but it looks like he does not address different aiming for high and low beam.

Jim

[Utahclaimjumper]

I learned the hard way that only two lights are legal in Utah when on low beams.>>>Dan

[bottomacher]

Since so many vehicles nowadays have running lights built into the front spoiler from the factory, I can't see how running with 4 low beams at once can be illegal, since the running lights are as bright as low beams and, in my area, usually not aimed correctly. That being said, I expect enquiring minds with badges will still want to stop you for a check and a chat far more often than before, with ensuing results that may not always be welcome. Of course, none of us would drive with an equipment violation or after having had a beer, so it would just be the inconvenience of having to pull over for a roadside conference that could be a real drag after a while.

[JackConrad]

We have ours wired that way using standard halogen sealed beams. So far, we have never been stopped and have never had anyone flash their lights at us when we are on low beam.  As was mentioned, I think the legallaity will depend on where you are.  Jack

[RichardEntrekin]

I can't address the legality of all four blazing. I did wire mine exactly like that, with switches to the relays so I can have all four low beam, all four high beams, or both. I have both the inner and outer with high/low bulbs.

I also covered the eCodes with the clear plastic film to protect them from stones, AND I used yellow film on the inners to make them look like fog lights.

I find that when I run all four, I get flashed by truckers, who must think I am running with the high beams on.

I do quite a bit of night driving, and having the option to run all four sure does help in some situations.

[Hi yo silver]

I had another thought...I know; thinking is risky sometimes.  I'll bet it will be an issue with periodic state safety inspections.  Inspectors aren't accustomed to seeing such a setup.  I would have to try for the same inspector every time, so that once he had been assured, probably by his superior, that it's legal, he would remember.
Dennis

[belfert]

Luckily, Brian and I live in Minnesota where we don't have safety inspections.