• Welcome to Elio Owners! Join today, registration is easy!

    You can register using your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account, just click here.

Elio Lighting (head, Tail, Brake, Signal, Fog, Auxiliary, Blinking,etc...)

Would you choose optional lighting on your Elio? (choose all that apply)

  • Yes, I want a "third" or higher brake light.

    Votes: 17 39.5%
  • Yes, I want marker lights on the front wheels.

    Votes: 32 74.4%
  • Yes, I want signal lights on the front wheels.

    Votes: 27 62.8%
  • Yes, I want headlights, fog lights or similar on the front wheels.

    Votes: 10 23.3%
  • No, I do not want any additional lighting.

    Votes: 7 16.3%

  • Total voters
    43

BilgeRat

Elio Addict
Joined
Aug 19, 2014
Messages
638
Reaction score
1,511
Location
Northern Illinois
Alan, actually, I would say that the Elio is being marketed to both camps, both those who do and do not modify their cars. I say this due to the accessory route that they're taking, the "cafeteria" approach, if you will. Personally, I can't leave my hands off of one of my vehicles; Elio's approach will accommodate both groups nicely. And if you're curious about the aftermarket for a niche vehicle, take a look at what grew up around the Mazda Miata.
 

WilliamH

Elio Addict
Joined
Jan 27, 2015
Messages
2,192
Reaction score
4,831
Location
Junction, TX
Alan, actually, I would say that the Elio is being marketed to both camps, both those who do and do not modify their cars. I say this due to the accessory route that they're taking, the "cafeteria" approach, if you will. Personally, I can't leave my hands off of one of my vehicles; Elio's approach will accommodate both groups nicely. And if you're curious about the aftermarket for a niche vehicle, take a look at what grew up around the Mazda Miata.

It was interesting listening to PMs comment on the mounting and power points built in for future modifications on the Coast to Coast interview.
 

Lil4X

Elio Addict
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
948
Reaction score
3,417
Location
Houston, Republic of Texas
To me, auxiliary lighting for the wheel fairings might best be served with Electroluminescent tape tape. EL lighting is available in a wide range of colors including the required yellow (front) and red (rear), and produce a fair amount of light - certainly enough for this application. Only about as thick as a credit card, these tapes can be found in widths from 1/4" to 6". may be wrapped over curved surfaces, consume a negligible amount of power, and their estimated life is in the tens of thousands of hours - even in a severe environment.

These tapes, which may be sandwiched in plexiglass for additional protection, are currently being used on military aircraft - providing night-vision-enhanced visibility for aircraft in formation. If it'll survive Mach 2 and carrier landings, I'm sure it'll survive the daily freeway slog.

Connecting the tapes to the headlight/running light circuit would require running a lightweight 12v supply to each fairing from a single power supply, with the connection to the tape made on the inside to keep it neat. When the power is off, they appear to be a light grey, but when illuminated they can provide even daylight illumination.
12.jpg
 
Last edited:

Lil4X

Elio Addict
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
948
Reaction score
3,417
Location
Houston, Republic of Texas
Idea (not sure if this is a good idea) put balanced magnets in the Elio's rims, then magnets on the fenders, easy way to produce electricity while moving without having to run wires.
It sounds good to me, but I wonder what happens when you slow down, do the lights dim out like they did on my old scooter when you chopped the throttle and the magneto-powered headlight dimmed out to the output of a lightning bug in a jar? :D
 

JNR

Elio Addict
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
532
Reaction score
1,689
Location
Easthampton, MA
That would depend on the lighting technology used. I wonder if the electroluminescent paint only shines when actively powered or if it keeps shining for a bit afterwards.
The EL stuff they use for inside buildings (emergency egress lighting) is powered by the lights while the regular lights are on, and after the lights are off, it glows for about 1-2 hours, I don't know if it is the same thing.
 
Top Bottom