Manky Monkey Motors

Can someone clear this up once and for all please? Im getting different answers on this!
Do I need rear fog lamp(s) fitted for the mot on my trike? The msva didnt require them, but I dont want to fail its first mot if they are required.
Thanks.

No. Under 450 kg, currently there is no requirement for a fog lamp, but if fitted, I assume should work along with an associated warning lamp.
Not sure about over 450 kg.
From the MOT manual -
 
 Requirements for Tricycles and Quadricycles
 
Main Beam Headlamp
 1 or 2
 
if one it must be mounted centrally, or if adjacent to another lamp (e.g. dipped beam lamp) they must be mounted symetrically about the centre. If the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1300mm, two main beam headlamps are required (1700mm for motorcycle derived tricycles)
 
Dipped Beam Headlamp
 1 or 2
 
if one it must be mounted centrally, or if adjacent to another lamp (e.g. main beam lamp) they must be mounted symetrically about the centre. If the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1300mm, two dipped beam headlamps are required (1700mm for motorcycle derived tricycles)
 
Front position Lamp
 1 or 2
 
if one it must be mounted centrally, or if adjacent to another lamp (e.g. a headlamp) they must be mounted symetrically about the centre. If the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1300mm, two front position lamps are required
 
Rear position Lamp
1 or 2
 
if one it must be mounted centrally, If the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1300mm, two rear position lamps are required
 
Stop Lamps
 1 or 2
 
if one it must be mounted centrally, If the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1300mm, two stop lamps are required
 
Direction Indicators
 2 front, 2 Rear
 
A telltale must be fitted
 
Hazard Warning Lamps
 2 Front, 2 Rear
 
A telltale must be fitted
 
Rear Reflector
 1 or 2
 
if one it must be mounted centrally, If the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1000mm, two reflectors are required
 
Registration plate Lamp
 1
 
May be combined with the rear position lamps
 

Thanks for that Olds.I understand that if fitted they must be on the centre line, or to the right hand side.I have heard that cos mot stations that do 3 wheelers usually do Reliants.Bodied 3 wheelers apparently do require a fog light, so the tester doesnt differentiate, and treats trikes like Reliants.Arguing with the testers will only cause more issues to be raised, so I think I will fit a lamp, warning light, switch.Bit of a pain to fit the wiring as an after thought, but a good safety feature as a bonus.

Just leave as is. print it off and if they say fog should be fitted then show it to them and ask him to check there testers manual section 9 (I think) under trikes

Or if you are that worried go and ask first still show the print out

Hi Rod have a look here and read the bit on the bottom of the l/h column
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_130.htm

I have a kit car registered 1972, have the same hassle every MOT, but they always pass it with a moan.

Only thing is, that was Jan 2012 and they could have changed it by now!  But my trike has never had a foglamp - although there have been times when I wished it had!  So personally I think fitting one is a good idea.

Looks like it will be easy to fit it on mine.Everything mounted on the o/side pannier, with only one wire to the fusebox.Had a dig around the emporium of wonderful things (garage) , found a nearly new fog lamp.Will fit at the weekend.

Don't forget the warning lamp.

Bit late with an answer, but yes, I did remember the w/lamp mate! Not got round to doing it yet, as been too busy.will get on it after xmas...probably.... ;D

Anyone know if the lamp should be continuously fed or ignition fed? Im assuming continuous, but need to rewire part of the fuse box, so handy if it was igñition fed!

Ignition fed, but coming on when dipped beam or main beam are operated, so through a relay

As far as I remember, rear fog lamp should only come on if high or dipped beam headlights are on, or front fog lights are on and as of 2013 must automatically switch off when  headlights are switched off and have to be manually switched on again, after headlights are on. This is to stop folk just leaving the damned things on all the time.
For you it is probably best to take a feed to a relay, from between headlight on/off switch and the high/low switch if possible. The power feed should really not be continuous.

So how's the auto switch work on a trike re wiring Dave
as Rod will need to fit one to the fog lights

Yes, thats right Terry.Not as easy as I first imagined, may take the lamp off the trike! Been looking around the web, and seems quite complicated unless a prewired unit is bought from somewhere like CBS.Thirty odd quid! Ive got plenty of the basic relays, but it appears to need more than that, also getting the feed from the h/lamps fished through the frame is a PITA.

You may be right Rod will save a lot of grief and headaches. just check with another mot station on regs

Cant see why it should be so expensive. Normal relay plus a momentary switch will do. Momentary switch to activate the relay and a loop feed from the relay switched output to the switching input. As soon as the feed from the lights on/off switch is turned off the power to the loop feed is cut and the relay will revert to the off position.
I think !
Easiest to do without the fog light and just have decent rear lights.

Lol, yeah, probably true. Im gradually getting to grips with how the circuit works, but cant see an answer as I draw the cicuit on paper.

Been doing more digging...instead of a latching relay(cheapest I found was about 20 quid) a buzzer can be used to warn that the fogs are still on when the main/dip is turned off.Turning off the fogs would stop the  buzzer sounding.still complicated wiring, but cheaper for parts.

Hi Rod, have you fund a reg that allows them to stay on with a buzzer sounding ?