User:Robpursifull
Blackout lights are head and tail lights that are equipped with special lenses that are designed to cast a defused horizontal beam of light for the driver of the vehicle to navigate with, and drivers of other vehicles to spot the vehicle with. They are intended for use when driving a convoy at night when it is necessary for the vehicles to maintain concealment by limiting there ability to be seen by the enemy.
NOTE TO SELF[edit]
- put links in Red ball express, nvd, Jeep and other MV pages, Automotive lighting page,
- Add Photos
Common myths
- ??????One myth about these lights is that they us a special light bulb but that is not true for all blackout lights. Most use a typical Incandescent light bulb. ????????
- Another is that the Blackout Driving Light has some connection with the rear view mirror because of its placement on some vehicles. The thought is that the light is for the driver can see where the following vehicle is by seeing the Blackout Driving Light in his or her rear view mirror. However the purpose of the front Blackout Marker Lights is to let the drive of the ahead vehicle know the position of the following vehicle not the Blackout Driving Lights.
History[edit]
Types[edit]
Blackout driving lights[edit]
Blackout Driving Lights are mounted on the left of the vehicle, typically on the fender or grille. They give off a diffused beam of white light that takes the palace of regular headlights when driving under blackout conditions. It is intended to give off enough light for the driver to make his way. The Blackout Driving Light is also hooded making the light only to be able to be seen when looking up at it. With the use of night vision goggles the effectiveness of the blackout driving light can be increased.[1]
Blackout marker lights[edit]
- Front marker lights are typically mounted below or to the side of the vehicles normal headlights. they serve the purpose of making the vehicle viable to oncoming drivers or for a driver to see if a vehicle is following him or her.
- Rear marker lights or blackout taillights are typically housed in the same unit as the vehicles taillights. And are the main tool in keeping the proper following distance in nighttime convoy driving.
Blackout Marker Lights serve the purpose of the making the position of the vehicle during blackout driving. They also are used as an aid in keeping the proper safe following distance when driving in a convoy at night.The lights are designed with a series of "cat eyes" that appear differently depending on the distance one is away from the vehicle that is equipped with the lights. When the following distance is to far the rear marker lights appear as one red light and when to close as four separate red lights. When the correct following distance of 180 to 60 feet is maintained the taillights appear as two red lights.[2]
Blackout stop lights[edit]
Blackout stop lights take the place the normal stoplight when operating in blackout conditions. When the brakesare applied in blackout mode the brake light appears as a white light. The blackout stop lights are typically in the same taillight assembly as the rear blackout marker lights.
Blackout headlights[edit]
Blackout headlights can refer to ether front blackout marker lights or blackout driving light depending on the vehicle that is equipped with them.
Controls[edit]
Military vehicles that that are equipped with blackout lights have a special switch for controlling the lights that are on the vehicle. This switch serves the purpose of preventing the headlights or any other lights on the vehicle from being turned on by accident, by means of a lock that is on the switch that must be pushed before the lights are able to be turned on.
References[edit]
- ^ http://www.tpub.com/content/construction/14273/css/14273_78.htm
- ^ "Chapter 23". Field Manual 21-305 - Manual for the Wheeled Vehicle Driver. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Defense, Depts. of the Army and the Air Force. 1993. Retrieved 2011-10-11.