I just got feedback on DRL costs from another Australian based engineer with
a US diesel engine manufacturer.
Because his reply is casual and he would undoubtedly research it more were
he to present it to this group, I have deleted his name.
I found some of his thoughts interesting.
Cheers,
Bob Murphy
> Things to know
> What total wattage of lights is involved.
> Alternator efficiency is say 40%
>
> so if we have a 1000 w load
> power reqd by alt = 1000/.4=2500 w = 2.5 kW
> Not a large proportion of a 300 kW engine.
> Cars can do so trucks can do it mind you alternators are one of the most
> unreliable parts of a truck and this isn't going to make them more
> reliable.
>
> Issues would be headlight alignment
> People can become "drawn" to bright spots (thats why if you breakdown on a
> road and put your hazard flashers on t he safest place to be is about 100m
> from the car. It better if you are off the road to not have any lights on
> because a tired person will be "drawn" to you). Given they already like
to
> park cars into the front of moving trucks at high speed I am not sure that
> this is in fact a safety measure or a unsafety measure.
>
> The statistics would be interesting on this if there are any anywhere
where
> this has been tried ON TRUCKS.
> Remember 75% (?) of cars hit the front of the truck with more than 75% of
> the time it being caused by the car driver. I don't know that too many
car
> drivers can't see a truck coming. Also are there any stats to say whether
> when it is a car driver at fault that there were other cars in the area
> (i.e. they were attempting to overtake and hit the truck) Would be
> interesting if there are. Lets face it a single car and truck smash with
> no one else around smells awfully like either suicide or sleepiness.
> suicide won't be helped it will just help with aiming at the truck and
> sleepiness wont be helped as they will more likely be drawn to the truck.
> However if it is people smashing into trucks whilst overtaking it would
> probably be highly beneficial.
>
> Regards,
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