Rain Light

[ofarc]

As some of you may know, I've been helping Cartek Automotive Electronics in the development of their new rain light, and electronic rain light switch, which maybe why some of you noticed that some rain lights at Silverstone were a lot brighter than others.

From my understanding, the reason why the very cheap little round rain lights are FIA homologated is because they inherited the approval back when a manufacturer or supplier only needed to pay a small fee to the MSA and submit a picture of the light for it to automatically gain FIA approval and an homologation number.

However, the FIA has recently become aware that a number of the rain lights out there are completely inadequate so in 2008 they introduced a technical specification which all new rain lights now need to meet to gain FIA homologation. This spec is to British Standards and requires the light to be of a minimum size with a minimum intensity, wide viewing angle and be fully sealed and robust construction.

The light on the back of my Jedi is a Cartek development unit which has recently passed the BSI test and is currently undergoing the FIA paperwork approval process. This will be the first LED rain light to gain FIA approval since 2007.

Not wishing to sound too much like a salesman but apparently these are going to retail for less than most of the popular square/rectangle LED units currently on sale. If anyone wants any more information then the person to speak to is Neil at Cartek on 02380 637600 or email him at neil@cartekmotorsport.com Their website is www.cartek.biz

Cheers Dax