[handieman]

The fact that The Villages is so very golf cart freindly makes the lifestyle here most enjoyable. However, it gives me great concern how golf cart owners are so unconcerned about the lighting of their carts that they drive within inches of cars they share the road with. I'll speak for myself but I believe older folks like myself loose some of thier night vision abilities. Coupled with that fact, I see constantly, poor tailights, tailights covered with enclosures and towels hanging along side thier golf cart bag, missing lights, and no reflectors on the rear to increase the visiblity.
How many carts have side reflectors to increase the visibility of a cart dark in color and with dark side curtains? The advent of the new LED lights have, to me, been a wonderfull application on golf carts. They are bright and intense and easily installed.
I recently saw a cart with LED tailights mounted in the normal manner of the rear fender and also on the rear edges of the top cover along with a brake light in the center of the cover. When this cart made a turn and applied his brake lights, it definately got my attention.
Give this situation some thought, it might save a life or save you the grief of knowing you couldn't avoid an accident because you were unable to see in time.

In My Humble Opinion
Handie

[SteveFromNY]

Handie,
I am with you on this issue. Good recommendation to others.
I have a Yahama Drive with rear facing seat for two passengers. When people are sitting in the rear seat, or clubs are mounted in the bracket, my rear tail lights are hidden either by passenger legs or the bags. I bought a pair of rear lights and mounted them on the back of the roof. They work like an auto's rear lights. They have a two filament bulb, one lights with the tail lights, the other lights with the brake/turn signal/ flasher. Not as fancy as LED's, but they do the job.
I didn't want someone to miss the fact that I was stopping or turning! I am paranoid about that kind of stuff.
I've seen a few other carts with similar lights on the roof. Not many though.
I bought the lights in Wal-Mart for about $5 each, and a bundle of wire for a few bucks more. They did not come with bulbs, so I had to buy them too. So for around $20 I had the visibility I wanted.
I ran the wires form the tail lights under the body to the roof uprights, then up to the roof. I used wire molding to run along the bottom of the roof, then through the back of the roof to the lights. Almost invisible wiring job.
Steve

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I also added extra led lights to my carts. I put reds on the back rails and wired them in to my tail lights and this really lights up the rear at night.
You can get them at car parts places or jc whitney, but I ordered mine from overseas.
I put strip lights in the interior and ran them with a fuse and toggle switch so we can use it as an interior light.
Easy to install and use little power.
People have to remember that they can be illegal if not done proper.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by otherbruddaDarrell

People have to remember that they can be illegal if not done proper.

Darrell,
I'm curious, how could they be illegal? I don't believe lighting is even required by law on a golf cart. I was under the impression lighting, like the canvas sides, was a convenience. Can you get a ticket for driving without lights? Or is it just dangerous?

Steve

[humbug486]

Originally Posted by handieman

The fact that The Villages is so very golf cart freindly makes the lifestyle here most enjoyable. However, it gives me great concern how golf cart owners are so unconcerned about the lighting of their carts that they drive within inches of cars they share the road with. I'll speak for myself but I believe older folks like myself loose some of thier night vision abilities. Coupled with that fact, I see constantly, poor tailights, tailights covered with enclosures and towels hanging along side thier golf cart bag, missing lights, and no reflectors on the rear to increase the visiblity.
How many carts have side reflectors to increase the visibility of a cart dark in color and with dark side curtains? The advent of the new LED lights have, to me, been a wonderfull application on golf carts. They are bright and intense and easily installed.
I recently saw a cart with LED tailights mounted in the normal manner of the rear fender and also on the rear edges of the top cover along with a brake light in the center of the cover. When this cart made a turn and applied his brake lights, it definately got my attention.
Give this situation some thought, it might save a life or save you the grief of knowing you couldn't avoid an accident because you were unable to see in time.

In My Humble Opinion
Handie

[humbug486]

Originally Posted by humbug486

I was following a NEW Club Car the other day and noticed that whenever this cart stopped, the brake lights didn't come on. When the driver slowed to turn into a tunnel, I hailed him and told him that his brake lights didn't work.
His responce-"OH B--- S--t." So much for being a "good neighbor".

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by humbug486

I was following a NEW Club Car the other day and noticed that whenever this cart stopped, the brake lights didn't come on. When the driver slowed to turn into a tunnel, I hailed him and told him that his brake lights didn't work.
His responce-"OH B--- S--t." So much for being a "good neighbor".

Nah, continue being a good neighbor. I would have thanked you, as would most people I think.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Hi Steve ,
My understanding is that if you have lets say red led lights mounted on the side of the cart instead of the rear.
I had some blue led's last year on the sides of my windshield and was stopped at Spanish Springs by a county officer. He said that I could not have them on the sides.
It was no problem, so I now have them mounted overhead inside and it gives a nice blue light on us when I turn them on.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by otherbruddaDarrell

Hi Steve ,
My understanding is that if you have lets say red led lights mounted on the side of the cart instead of the rear.
I had some blue led's last year on the sides of my windshield and was stopped at Spanish Springs by a county officer. He said that I could not have them on the sides.
It was no problem, so I now have them mounted overhead inside and it gives a nice blue light on us when I turn them on.

Darrell,
I remember hearing that the blue lights are somehow reserved for the police.
I don't know why they can be inside but not under! Anyway, the red ones I put on the rear roof of mine should be OK
Thanks!
Steve