Demystifying Chicken Lights: A Spotlight on Truck Lighting Accessories

You’ve likely seen them before – small, glowing lights adorning the sides, top, or grill of large commercial trucks. Known as “chicken lights”, these tiny illuminations have become a ubiquitous trucking accessory over the past 70 years. But why are they called chicken lights? And what purpose do they actually serve for truckers and other motorists? This article aims to shed some light on the history, function, and evolving role of chicken lights in the trucking world.

A Brief History of Chicken Lights

Chicken lights were first used during the Great Depression in the 1930s and 1940s. People who were transporting live chickens put these lights on their trucks so they could see what was going on inside the cargo area and check on the chickens at night. The term “chicken lights” came from this first connection with moving chickens.

Over time, truckers began installing chicken lights more for decoration and visibility purposes than strictly for cargo lighting. They helped add a personal flair to trucks and also made the vehicles more conspicuous on the road, especially at night. As trucking culture grew throughout the 1950s, 60s and beyond, chicken lights took on an aesthetic appeal and became ingrained in the identity of long-haul truckers. Their prominence expanded from purely functional to novelty and stylistic.

Common Types of Chicken Lights

These days, chicken lights come in many sizes, shapes, and colors. Today, these are some of the most common types on trucks:

• Amber or Yellow The traditional chicken light color amber lights are used for side marker functions. They help delineate the truck’s length and width.

• Red: This color is often used for brake lights, taillights, and running lights on the back of trucks. Red chicken lights indicate the back of the vehicle.

• White: Sometimes used for auxiliary lighting if permitted. Regulations restrict use of white lights in most jurisdictions.

• LED: Energy-efficient, long-lasting LED lights are a popular modern option. They allow for brightness adjustments and color customization.

• Neon: Provide an eye-catching, colorful glow. Neon chicken lights are reminiscent of old-school truck decor but remain prohibited in some regions.

• Strobe: Create a dynamic, attention-grabbing effect. Strobe chicken lights are less common but deliver high visibility.

Critical Functions and Benefits

Beyond aesthetics, chicken lights serve some vital safety and regulatory functions:

• Enhanced visibility: Chicken lights significantly improve the visibility and conspicuity of trucks, helping motorists see them better, especially in low light conditions. This enhances safety for all vehicles on the road.

• Adherence to regulations: Placement, color, and brightness of chicken lights are governed by federal and state commercial vehicle regulations. Proper chicken lights ensure compliance.

• Identification of vehicle type: Chicken light configurations can indicate essential details like a truck’s length and width. This aids other motorists.

• Personalization: Chicken lights allow truckers to customize their rigs. They are an outlet for personal expression and individuality.

• Durability: Quality chicken lights hold up well under tough road conditions like vibrations, dirt, and weather. LED options last the longest.

Installation and Maintenance Best Practices

To maximize chicken light performance, truck owners should follow these installation and maintenance tips:

• Carefully check electrical compatibility and voltage requirements before installing.

• Use high-quality, durable materials suited for road conditions. Avoid cheap lights.

• Follow all regulations for your jurisdiction on placement, colors, and brightness.

• Regularly inspect lights for damage, dirt buildup, burnt out bulbs, and loose connections.

• Promptly replace defective or damaged chicken lights to maintain visibility and compliance.

• Use seals and coatings to protect lights from weather and grime. This extends lifespan.

• Confirm lights are correctly aimed so their illumination pattern aligns with regulations.

• LED lights require less maintenance but still need occasional inspection and cleaning.

Legal Regulations on Chicken Lights

Because chicken lights impact road safety and identification, their use is governed by transportation regulations. Key rules include:

• Title 49, Part 393 – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations define required lamps like headlights as well as optional lamps like chicken lights.

• SAE standards – Lighting equipment must adhere to SAE International standards on performance specifications.

• Color restrictions – Specific chicken light colors are mandated on different sections of trucks. Custom colors are prohibited.

• Brightness limits – Maximum and minimum luminance levels for chicken lights are specified, typically in candelas.

• Placement guidelines – Markers must be located per regulations, like at regular side intervals or across truck tops.

• Inspections – Failing chicken lights can cause trucks to fail safety inspections and be taken off the road until fixed.

Non-compliance with chicken light regulations can result in hefty fines for truckers. Staying up-to-date on requirements is essential.

Automating Chicken Lights with Technology

Modern truck customizers are incorporating new technologies like PLCs and HMIs to enable advanced automation of chicken lights for dynamic and programmable lighting effects. Custom trucks now showcase mesmerizing animated chicken light displays.

Industrial-grade programmable logic controllers and touchscreen HMIs allow operators to easily program captivating chicken light shows coordinated to music. This automation elevates trucks from static decor to colorful entertainment rigs for spectators.

Integrating automation also enables remote control and monitoring of chicken lights. Diagnostics capabilities further optimize uptime and maintenance needs. The fusion of automation and illumination continues revolutionizing truck aesthetics and customization.

The Evolution of Chicken Lights

While chicken lights originated from humble beginnings as simple cargo illumination, they have transformed over decades into a hallmark of customized truck style and identity. Their journey has seen them transition from purely functional to decorative, becoming ingrained in trucker culture.

Looking ahead, chicken lights will continue advancing in lockstep with emerging technologies. Brighter, more efficient LEDs, integrated automation, and even connectivity to external devices via telematics are on the horizon.

Through it all, chicken lights will still serve their vital role of making trucks more visible and ultimately safer on the road. The future is bright for these stylish trucking accessories, from early poultry transport to high-tech programmable lighting of tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Lights

Here are answers to some common questions about the intriguing world of chicken lights:

Why are they called “chicken lights”?

The name comes from their initial use for lighting cargo areas of chicken transport trucks in the 1930-40s. The moniker stuck even as their popularity expanded.

What’s the difference between marker and chicken lights?

Marker lights indicate vehicle perimeter. Chicken lights are customizable, novelty lights that supplement markers for style. Both enhance visibility.

Can I get in trouble for having non-compliant chicken lights?

Yes, improper chicken lights violating regulations on color, brightness or placement can result in citations and fines for truckers.

How difficult is it to install chicken lights myself?

With some basic wiring know-how and following installation guidelines, most truck owners can handle chicken light installation themselves relatively easily.

How often should I clean and inspect chicken lights?

Experts recommend inspecting chicken lights thoroughly each week and cleaning them monthly to maintain maximum visibility and compliance.

Do chicken lights drain my truck’s battery?

Minimal battery drain occurs since most chicken lights use efficient LEDs or low wattage bulbs. Proper wiring also minimizes any power draw.

What are some creative places to mount chicken lights?

Grills, fenders, bumpers, stacks, and cab tops offer great chicken light placement possibilities. Get creative but stay regulation-compliant.

Can I get in trouble for having colorful chicken lights?

Possibly, since most regulations mandate amber or red chicken lights. Custom colors may fall outside legal guidelines. When in doubt, check your jurisdiction’s rules.

Do I need special permits for extra large chicken light displays?

Depending on size, extremely large and elaborate chicken light setups may require special oversize load permits and auxiliary precautions.

Let Your Chicken Lights Shine

We’ve only scratched the surface on chicken lights and their significance in trucking culture. From their early 20th century origins to high-tech automated LEDs, chicken lights continue holding an enduring appeal both functionally and aesthetically. Hopefully this overview has shed some light on these captivating truck accessories.

So next time you spot colorful chicken lights adorning a passing eighteen-wheeler, you’ll have a much deeper appreciation for their multifaceted role in promoting safety, style and trucker customization. Let your chicken lights shine brightly and legally! Just be sure to stay well-versed on regulations so your decor doesn’t ruffle any feathers with highway patrol. Happy trucking!