Zander J BothaonDIY / Fitment, Featured, News, Vehicles
From your wife’s trusty Suzuki Jimny or your uncles “kan-nie-dood” Champion Bakkie to your 2.8 invincible Hilux or the beloved Ranger Wildtrak, we know they all look better with auxiliary lights muscling up the front end and sometimes even the rear too. Aside from looking cool, they also prove to be very useful on those dark and quiet dirt roads. So, are you ready to take the plunge into the world of auxiliary lights, but you are unsure of where to start? Let’s see if we can help…
Image credit: Ivan Sonnekus | www.i-livewild.com
There is plenty to consider in finding the best solution to suit your vehicle’s uses and your needs. What do you need the extra lighting for? Do you want an easy ‘do-it-yourself’ installation or maybe your setup is more ‘pay-for-fitment’ complicated? HELLA has a large selection ranging from premium auxiliary lighting solutions to the ‘best for your pocket’ ranges. Before we delve into what option best suits your rig, let’s look at all the ‘need to knows’ so you can ride off into the sunset with the sunrise bolted to the front of your bundu basher.
Are off-road lights really necessary?
Although they have become an almost must-have accessory of late, they are not just that. Imagine the darkest and most dangerous route or terrain you have ever traveled. Were your lights bright enough? In South Africa, foresight is always better than hindsight. No one wants to find themselves stuck in the dark on an unknown ridge wishing they had bought those lights or even just brighter bulbs to see just that smidge better in the dying light of dusk. The first and last hours of daylight make it almost impossible to identify hazards en-route safely and easily, with only just enough ambient light to frustrate your eyeballs with squints and refocusing blinks while “vloeking” your standard fitment headlights.
Image credit: Ivan Sonnekus | www.i-livewild.com
For the 4×4 enthusiasts and rock crawlers, the right all-round light rig could get you and your spotter out of those trickier cracks and crevices with ease. Formidable obstacles in pure daylight become incredibly hazardous in low light situations. Off-road lights also come in handy during those unforeseen breakdowns where the last of your concerns should be sight, while making repairs.
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Are auxiliary lights legal for on-road use?
There is no short yes or no answer to this. So, without getting into too much legal jibber jabber, in South Africa, it all depends on what your idea is of “On-Road” versus the law. In South Africa, having auxiliary lights fitted to the front of your vehicle is not illegal. However, using those lights on urban or suburban roads where you are directly impacting fellow road users’ ability to see and therefore compromising their safety, is in fact illegal. But let’s face it, HELLA lights are unbelievably bright, and with great lighting power, comes great responsibility. Also, you don’t really want to be ‘that’ person, do you? Therefore, it is simply good lighting etiquette (also, it is required by law) to put a cover on your auxiliary lights when driving in these areas.
Image credit: Ivan Sonnekus | www.i-livewild.com
In many of our neighboring countries such as Namibia and Botswana, the newer LED auxiliary lights are deemed illegal. This has less to do with the fact that they are LED, but is rather aimed at the quantity of single light emitting sources within a single light housing. So, remember this if you are from these countries or are an avid border crosser. Stick to single LED auxiliary lights to stay within the law. HELLA offers a variety of these lighting solutions, check it out here.A good habit and simple rule of thumb is to always check on and research the local laws yourself, both in South Africa and in neighbouring countries. Laws are amended often, and it doesn’t hurt to stay abreast. Don’t simply take your ‘Uncle Piet’s’ word for it, hearsay can get you in trouble.
Is off-road lighting pricey?
Yes and no! It’s a lucky dip with all sorts of options! HELLA has all of the lights in a variety of price ranges! It just comes down to your needs, what suites your pocket, and how your new lighting addiction unfolds. If you are embarking on this journey with HELLA, we assure you, all our products are tried, tested and backed by our Original Equipment Manufacturing Expertise. So, from ValueFit to the Premium ranges, HELLA has a high-quality product range to meet your needs. Case in point, our ValueFit Supernova range.
Image credit: Ivan Sonnekus | www.i-livewild.com
HELLA ValueFit Supernova: The sunshine in your pocket
The Original ECE Approved HELLA ValueFit Supernova LED features the iconic and eye catching ValueFit daytime-running light for increased visibility and added safety. It sports a robust housing and a tough scratch & crack resistant polycarbonate lens so you can follow it anywhere. All this coupled with a lineup of high-power LEDs in a precision engineered reflector array, make for an unrivaled clear and crisp HELLA lighting experience.
The HELLA ValueFit 6” Supernova:
Small but powerful at 8400 Lumen light output illuminating at up to 500m comfortably.Available in a set of two lights along with the wiring harness and relays in the box and ready to fit.
The HELLA ValueFit 7” Supernova:
When you need just a little more. With a 9600 Lumen light output chasing shadows at up to 600m.
The HELLA ValueFit 9” Supernova:
For when you want to see it all! Holding 20400 Lumen and bursting with near daylight illumination at up to 800m.
Are Auxiliary Lights Difficult to Install?
A simple kit like the HELLA ValueFit 6” Supernova set can be fitted on a Saturday in time for the rugby. After all, simple fitment position and configurations with a self-installed rocker switch under the dash can be easy enough to accomplish on your own with some help from a you-tuber.But when handling the load of many high wattage lights, the number of other accessories you are running needs to be considered. If you are planning to place the lights in some fancy over the top positioning with a winch, a fridge, Nav equipment and an Ah-Ha with a water pump, then you are looking at more complicated auxiliary battery and power systems.
So, having the installation done by the experts is a better choice. Some fitment centers also provide anywhere from 6 months to a 2-year warranty on the fitments they have carried out, giving you piece of mind and a very stylish fitment. The choice is yours. It’s a simple choice only complicated by your personal preference, and we hope our little blow by blow will assist you on your lighting selection journey. One thing is for certain… if you love adventure, escaping to the outdoors, exploring and discovery, then the HELLA ValueFit Supernova range is for you! Be prepared with HELLA ValueFit.
Image credit: Ivan Sonnekus | www.i-livewild.com
HELLA ValueFit Supernova ECE Certification available on request via enquiry form below.
For more information on the extensive HELLA range, simply fill in the enquiry form below and one of their trained staff will get hold of you with regard to pricing, online ordering, delivery or your nearest distribution centre.
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