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DRL wiring
jabbahutt - 17/9/10 at 08:54 AM

Morning all

Been a while since I've picked the collective brain on matters elec trickery and as it's a Friday thought this would be a good head scratcher, though knowing my lack of knowledge it's probably an easy solution.

Thinking of fitting some Daylight running lights as last couple of times out had a couple of close calls with people pulling out on me making me wonder just how visible a 7 car is if you're not looking carefully.

Anyway I understand that the DRL's should go out when the side lights are turned on, also read somewhere that the relevent side should extinguish when indicating?

So 2 questions, firstly anyone know for sure what the rules are regarding when DRL's should go out? and secondly what would be the easiest way to wire them in so they meet the rules (working on the rule that they go out with side lights coming on and nothing to do with indicators)

Any assistance appreciated.

interestedparty - 17/9/10 at 09:15 AM

CBS do a kit for this, might be worth a look?

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/led-automatic-daytime-running-lights-wiring-kit-leddrl-4665-p.asp

£14 plus vat and pp

iank - 17/9/10 at 09:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by interestedparty
CBS do a kit for this, might be worth a look?

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/led-automatic-daytime-running-lights-wiring-kit-leddrl-4665-p.asp

£14 plus vat and pp


That's a really expensive way to buy a relay in a plastic box.

jabbahutt - 17/9/10 at 10:16 AM

so do the DRL's go off with the dipped beam rather than the side lights? if so then that makes things easier, I'll just use a change over relay with the dipped beam on one output and the drl's on the other.

I take it that I've grasped the above correclty and not barking up the wrong tree as usual.

Cheers all

daviep - 17/9/10 at 11:10 AM

This maybe a stupid question

What is the benefit of specific DLR lights as opposed to just using dipped headlights?

Cheers
Davie

matt_claydon - 17/9/10 at 11:14 AM

This is an excerpt for the latest version of the lighting installation regulation used for type-approval, you want to look at paragraph 6.19.7. There may be a simplified version in the IVA manual but I haven't checked.

You only need to worry about turning off with indicators if they are within 40mm or incorporated in the same lamp.

quote:

6.19. DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP

6.19.1. Presence
Mandatory on motor vehicles. Prohibited on trailers.

6.19.2. Number
Two.

6.19.3. Arrangement
No special requirement.

6.19.4. Position

6.19.4.1. In width: the distance between the inner edges of the apparent surfaces in the direction of the reference axes shall not be less than 600mm.
This distance may be reduced to 400mm where the overall width of the vehicle is less than 1,300mm.

6.19.4.2. In height: above the ground not less than 250 mm nor more than 1,500 mm.

6.19.4.3. In length: at the front of the vehicle. This requirement shall be deemed to be satisfied if the light emitted does not cause discomfort to the driver either directly, or indirectly through the devices for indirect vision and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle.

6.19.5. Geometric visibility
Horizontal: outwards 20° and inwards 20°.
Vertical: upwards 10° and downwards 10°.

6.19.6. Orientation
Towards the front.

6.19.7. Electrical connections

6.19.7.1. The daytime running lamps shall be switched ON automatically when the device which starts and/or stops the engine is in a position which makes it possible for the engine to operate. However, daytime running lamps may remain OFF while the automatic transmission control is in the park or neutral position, while the parking brake is applied or after the propulsion system is activated but the vehicle was not set in motion for the first time.
The daytime running lamps shall switch OFF automatically when the front fog lamps or headlamps are switched ON, except when the latter are used to give intermittent luminous warnings at short intervals.
Furthermore, the lamps referred to in paragraph 5.11. are not switched ON when the daytime running lamps are switched ON.

6.19.7.2. If the distance between the front direction-indicator lamp and the daytime running lamp is equal or less than 40 mm, the electrical connections of the daytime running lamp on the relevant side of the vehicle may be such that either:
(a) It is switched OFF; or
(b) Its luminous intensity is reduced during the entire period (both ON and OFF cycle) of activation of a front direction-indicator lamp.

6.19.7.3. If a direction-indicator lamp is reciprocally incorporated with a daytime running lamp, the electrical connections of the daytime running lamp on the relevant side of the vehicle shall be such that the daytime running lamp is switched OFF during the entire period (both ON and OFF cycle) of activation of the direction-indicator lamp.

6.19.7.4. The lamps referred to in paragraph 5.11. are not switched ON when the daytime running lamps are switched ON, except if daytime running lamps are operating according to paragraph 6.2.7.6.2.

The 'lamps referred to in 5.11' are position lamps and related ones (number plate, side marker, outline marker). Let me know if you need anything explained.


[Edited on 17/9/10 by matt_claydon]

jabbahutt - 17/9/10 at 11:15 AM

Apparently they have a completely different beam pattern and intensity to dipped lights which is why they need to be turned off when the lights come on.

They supposedly show up better in daylight than normal dipped headlights but if left on in the dark they'd dazzle oncoming drivers.

jabbahutt - 17/9/10 at 11:21 AM

many thanks for the info Matt. I take it then I'm correct in understanding

1.Keep the DRL'd more than 40mm from indicators and the indicators aren't a problem

2. DRL's come on with ignition in engine running position and go ff when side, dipped are turned on.

So would I be correct that if I run the drl's of 1 output of a changeover relay and the dipped of the other I'll be okay? theonly bit that bothers me is that the side lights aren't run through a relay so I'm trying to work out how to get the DRL's to go off with both the sides and the dipped.

Any ideas anyone? explainations in idiot speak please.

Thanks again Matt

matt_claydon - 17/9/10 at 11:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jabbahutt
many thanks for the info Matt. I take it then I'm correct in understanding

1.Keep the DRL'd more than 40mm from indicators and the indicators aren't a problem

2. DRL's come on with ignition in engine running position and go ff when side, dipped are turned on.

So would I be correct that if I run the drl's of 1 output of a changeover relay and the dipped of the other I'll be okay? theonly bit that bothers me is that the side lights aren't run through a relay so I'm trying to work out how to get the DRL's to go off with both the sides and the dipped.

Any ideas anyone? explainations in idiot speak please.

Thanks again Matt


Feed the DRL circuit from any ignition live, then you'll need to add a relay fed by the side light circuit, so that when sides come on (and they stay on with headlights), the relay opens and disconnects the DRLs

jabbahutt - 17/9/10 at 12:39 PM

so for ease Matt it's going to be a lot easier if my side lights stay on when the dipped go on. Though for the life of me I can't remember if they do or not.

It's a standard Sierra cloumn if anyone knows the answer

Thanks again Matt

matt_claydon - 17/9/10 at 01:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jabbahutt
so for ease Matt it's going to be a lot easier if my side lights stay on when the dipped go on. Though for the life of me I can't remember if they do or not.

It's a standard Sierra cloumn if anyone knows the answer

Thanks again Matt


They should do as they are normally on the same circuit as the rears (they also should do legally unless there's clever bulb failure detection to bring them back on if the headlamps fail).

If for some reason they don't then use the rear position lamp feed instead.

jabbahutt - 17/9/10 at 01:34 PM

Thanks Matt

Sussed out the side light issue and as you say they do stay on with dipped. So just spur off the side light circuit after the switch to pin 85 or 86 on changeover relay and connect the other to earth.

Then connect the drl's to relay and a switched positive supply.

Many thanks for your patience Matt it's much appreciated.

Canada EH! - 17/9/10 at 05:04 PM

Just to add to the confusion, the province of Ontario Canada has had daytime running lights for many years.
Originally the high beam headlights were run with a resistor to dim them while being used as running lights.
Then some manufacturers started using the front turn signal bulbs, followed by BMW and Audi using LEDs.
The simplest one seen so far was the Suzuki Side kick, all the running lights came on with the ignition in run mode, pulling on the handbrake would cancel the lights if parked for a period of time with the engine running.

RK - 18/9/10 at 02:35 PM

As said, we have had daytime running lights in Canada a long time now. It was perfectly acceptable to the authorities with the following:

1. A cheap set of LED driving lights - you know the ones, the ones the chavs like so much. Clear, white lens. Screw them on under your headlights.

2. Wire those into your ignition, so they come on the second your gauges come on. Forget about them going off when the headlights are on.

They draw hardly any power at all, being LED, and they are very visible. End of story. Forget the kits you can buy. They are just a few resistors, some coloured wire and some plugs that won't go into anything on your car, so you have to cut the wires anyways.

[Edited on 18/9/10 by RK]