Temporary Hazard Lights

[mrs.smith2012]

Evening all,
Subject to an MOT, my first mog will hopefully be joining me in the next few weeks

I wanted some advice with regard to hazard lights. She is currently not fitted with hazards… I may look into getting some put in once I have her but for now I’m looking at temporary solutions. I’m aware you can get the magnetic beacon type lights that you can switch on and stick on the roof in the event you are broken down on the side of the road somewhere (hopefully that won’t happen!) but I’m wondering what to do in the event that I need to use hazards quickly, ie if I stall at a roundabout. I’ve seen stick on LEDs that flash and you can turn them on and off with a remote control… would something like that be adequate? Do they have to be amber or would red suffice? (Have only managed to find red ones so far).

As this will be a temporary thing I ideally don’t want to get anything overly expensive, just something that will get me out of trouble for now! Would be interested to know how you guys work around it when there are no hazards fitted

[ManyMinors]

I must admit that in more than 50 years of driving a Morris Minor almost every day, I have never given the need for "hazard lights" any thought at all. In fact, I cannot remember ever using them on my modern car. I try to take precautions so that I never become a "hazard" and think that modern cars generally have far too many unnecessary bits & pieces fitted to them
If it bothered me I would carry a good roadside torch with a flashing amber light built into the top?

[mobylette]

If you buy the car, get someone to follow you home in a vehicle fitted with hazards. Once safely home employ an auto electrician to fit a hazard light kit, it an easy job so should not be expensive.

[mrs.smith2012]

Thanks for the suggestions. Not sure I will have hazards permanently fitted as I generally don’t use them in my modern car and I’m with you on not adding too many unnecessary bits and pieces to the car…. I was really just thinking of something that could help us out in the early days while we get used to driving her.
Perhaps we are overthinking but where we live is very very busy and fast paced and both my husband and I have zero classic driving experience… so the hazards were a ‘just in case’ we get into a muddle (stall in the middle of a roundabout or something equally daft) I’m confident we will get into the swing of things fairly quickly, but I admit the initial few drives scare me a little!

[myoldjalopy]

I carry an old paraffin railway lamp in the boot with a box of matches!

[mrs.smith2012]

I carry an old paraffin railway lamp in the boot with a box of matches!

Brilliant

[geoberni]

Even smaller rooftop Beacons are quite expensive these days, although I admit I brought one when I first got Basil, and did actually have to use it soon after when he broke sown on the A1 (which is the little scene on my avatar image here in the Forum).

I wouldn't bother with those little disc shape things; the cheap ones are not particularly bright, probably only suitable for use after dark. Yes, I've tried one of those years ago too.

Not sure I will have hazards permanently fitted as I generally don’t use them in my modern car and I’m with you on not adding too many unnecessary bits and pieces to the car…. I was really just thinking of something that could help us out in the early days while we get used to driving her.

That's the thing with an emergency system, whatever it might be, Flashing Light or Fire Extinguisher, you only need it when you need it; 99.99% of the time it's not used, but the one time you need it, you want it to be there...

As mobylette said, have someone escort you home and then you can consider fitting a Hazard Switch.

[mrs.smith2012]

The getting home is fine as I will be enlisting the help of a friend to bring her back…. But yes I know my husband in particular will be much more comfortable if I have some sort of safety system installed. (I will be getting a fire extinguisher too!).

I will make some enquiries! Thank you

[Steve Phillips]

Have a look at Lucas SFB300, it's a hazard kit that is available from lots of places for sub £40. Wired correctly it will function exactly as a modern cars hazards.

If you Google it you will find lots of suppliers from eBay to classic car supplies companies that list it.

Steve

[mrs.smith2012]

Have a look at Lucas SFB300, it's a hazard kit that is available from lots of places for sub £40. Wired correctly it will function exactly as a modern cars hazards.

If you Google it you will find lots of suppliers from eBay to classic car supplies companies that list it.

Steve

Thanks! Will take a look!

[mike1864]

Personally I wouldn't dream of driving my Minor without hazard lights. Even with hazard lights, a modern car breaking down on a dark country road or <GULP> in Lane One of a Smart Motorway is already a good contender for getting demolished; or getting other (swerving) cars demolished. Multiply that (already high) risk by not displaying the hazards that every motorist expects, and the loss of the car is approaching a dead cert.
Oh, I didn't mention the damage to people.

[ndevans]

Don't overthink this. You'll be fine driving it home without hazard lights, though having someone follow you in a modern is not a bad idea. Getting a hazard kit fitted is a good idea, and is not difficult or expensive, or technically challenging, but you don't need to rush it.
I fitted hazards to mine a couple of years ago, and I'm glad I did because I've needed them a couple of times since. In fact I've had my car for nigh on 40 years now, and I've needed them quite a few times and wished I had them, which is why I fitted them.
But don't sweat about it, and don't let it stop you from driving the car and enjoying it.

[mrs.smith2012]

Thanks all,
I have found a few kits online (thank you Steve) so I’ll get onto that once I know when she’s coming home.
I definitely won’t be driving her home though haha! I’ll get my much more experienced classic car owning friend to do that!

[moggiethouable]

I don't have them on the Morris but think they are a good idea.
I use them on the modern when at roadworks etc to wake up the driver behind me.
I was once shunted in the modern at roadworks by a half asleep kid in an astra, so the hazards come on now as soon as I have to brake quickly or if the roadworks are around a blind bend, which sometimes incredibly they are.
You would think they would stretch the cones to somewhere open and visible, but no, not always.
So for me Mrs Smith, I would get them fitted and leave them, I think I will buy a kit.
My understanding is they should only be used when completely stationary, but if a car is charging down on me and I am braking hard, I switch them on.
Once shunted twice shy.
My body is pretty average, but I like it the shape it is.

[moggiethouable]

Have a look at Lucas SFB300, it's a hazard kit that is available from lots of places for sub £40. Wired correctly it will function exactly as a modern cars hazards.

If you Google it you will find lots of suppliers from eBay to classic car supplies companies that list it.

Steve

Do you have a wiring diagram Steve ?
Thanks, Richard.

[firedrake1942]

I once broke down on a dual carriageway and rang the AA. ' Put your hazard lights on' helpfully suggested the call handler. 'I haven't got any,' I replied. 'Well, just the one indicator then' she then suggested, clearly completely fazed at having to go off-script. 'Errr, not got those either, just a trafficator.' I could almost hear her mind, quietly blowing at the inability to assimilate the concept of a vehicle without these basics.

[Andmurph]

Have a look at Lucas SFB300, it's a hazard kit that is available from lots of places for sub £40. Wired correctly it will function exactly as a modern cars hazards.

If you Google it you will find lots of suppliers from eBay to classic car supplies companies that list it.

Steve

Do you have a wiring diagram Steve ?
Thanks, Richard.

I think Bill posted a circuit diagram recently. I’ve just retired the pickup and found this accurate and very useful.

[moggiethouable]

Super thankyou.

[mrs.smith2012]

I’ll definitely have them, I was a little reluctant to make modifications but safety first!
Especially living where we do, traffic can be a bit mad!

[michael4]

Surprising how many motorists still heed one of those folding triangular hazard warning signs.