Daytime Running Lights

Hi,

I've spent over an hour searching - but no luck.

Does anyone know how to wire Daytime Running Lights to meet the UK legislations.

My understanding is that :
DRLs are physically separate from the headlights.
DRLs illuminate as soon as the engine starts.
When headlights (dipped or main beam) is switched on the DRLs are extinguished.

I'm trying to find a diagram or simple instructions as I would prefer not to have to fit a switch to put them on & off.

All help / info appreciated, (no pyrotechnic suggestions, please)

Singvogel.

If your motor aint fitted wi em it don't need em, why complicate things.

wire them into side lights then you can turn them on when you want. no law against using side lights during the day.

There not the audi wanna be LED's now are they ? lol

Soloby Rob said:

If your motor aint fitted wi em it don't need em, why complicate things.

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Very true Rob - retrofit is not a requirement as far as the UK and most of the EU is concerned but I regularly spend a month at a time in countries like Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia where they demand DLRs or Dipped Headlights all the time even in towns.

The cops lie in wait for us ex-Pats and fine us €50 a time - and no receipts - as they have all 'forgotten' their ticket-receipt book - unless you want to be waiting at the roadside for another hour while his mate fetches them.

It's a source of income for the underpaid polizie - not that my heart unduly bleeds for them.

My Nightbreaker bulbs are being wasted by having them on unnecessarily. I have had to replace one of them, already.

I can get LED strips off ebay for £3.40 which will do the job - but I would prefer to have everything auto rather than fitting a switch.

Singvogel.

2.0_hippo said:

wire them into side lights then you can turn them on when you want. no law against using side lights during the day.

There not the audi wanna be LED's now are they ? lol

Click to expand...

Than you for that possibility.

I was also considering using led lamps in the fog-lights if I could pick up a different power feed so they could be on without the sidelights.

I don't want to look like an Audi but if needs must......

S.

just take a feed off of the switched +12v supply from the ignition circuit so as soon as you turn on ignition and start engine there allways on untill you take your keys out again. as long as there LED's you wont need a relay as there only very low power consumption.

you could easily pick up a switched feed from ignition, stereo, etc...

2.0_hippo said:

just take a feed off of the switched +12v supply from the ignition circuit so as soon as you turn on ignition and start engine there allways on untill you take your keys out again. as long as there LED's you wont need a relay as there only very low power consumption.

you could easily pick up a switched feed from ignition, stereo, etc...

Click to expand...

Thanks for that.

I'm slowly coming to that conclusion - it's simple - and just forget about the turning off bit when I put on other lights.

I don't expect police will be checking for this at night. I hope!

S.

you just need to pull a feed from a switched live, they'll be on as soon as you turn the ignition on then. doubt you'd need to run the led strips through a relay as they barely pull any current.

Singvogel said:

Thanks for that.

I'm slowly coming to that conclusion - it's simple - and just forget about the turning off bit when I put on other lights.

I don't expect police will be checking for this at night. I hope!

S.

Click to expand...

you will probably be fine. do they only require the front lights to be on during the day ? or front and back ?

i would fit an isolating switch anyway so you can at least turn them off if needed. it wont take much longer to stick in a small switch when connecting to the switched feed.

OK guys - I'm now thinking that it's simpler to pick up an ignition switched circuit and put another switch on the dash - can't make any mistakes that way.

The rules say that DRLs are only at the front and when you switch on any other lamps they should go off.

I'm in no rush to fit them, so I'll mull this over a bit.

Thanks.

Singvogel.

put the new wire throught a relay that powers off.Run a feed off lights to relay lights on relay off no drl's

thought it was mine! said:

put the new wire throught a relay that powers off.Run a feed off lights to relay lights on relay off no drl's

Click to expand...

you mean a normally closed relay then engergises with the normal lights when turned on to turn off DRL.

yes that will work. tho to keep it simple i wouldnt worry too much about them turning off with the main lights

2.0_hippo said:

you mean a normally closed relay then engergises with the normal lights when turned on to turn off DRL.

yes that will work. tho to keep it simple i wouldnt worry too much about them turning off with the main lights

Click to expand...

thats the idea just could not think how to word it:doh:

thought it was mine! said:

thats the idea just could not think how to word it:doh:

Click to expand...

OK guys - that's it. Yippee

"a normally closed relay then engergises with the normal lights when turned on to turn off DRL"

Now why didn't I think of that?

Should have paid more attention in Physics class.

Now I just need a diagram.

Singvogel.

I fitted DRL's many years ago already, so far no problems, only at the yearly mot they mention I should fix the level.

Singvogel said:

OK guys - that's it. Yippee

"a normally closed relay then engergises with the normal lights when turned on to turn off DRL"

Now why didn't I think of that?

Should have paid more attention in Physics class.

Now I just need a diagram.

Singvogel.

Click to expand...

if you need any help give me a PM. im a sparks by trade

willo said:

i fitted drl's many years ago already, so far no problems, only at the yearly mot they mention i should fix the level.

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lmao !!!! :d :d :d

willo said:

I fitted DRL's many years ago already, so far no problems, only at the yearly mot they mention I should fix the level.

Click to expand...

An excellent example of 'lateral thinking'.

With the new 2012 regs you'll possibly get an advisory due to the knots in the string not being to correct VOSA spec.

there is both permanent and ignition switch terminals spare in the fusebox, just above and to the left.

just need insulated female spade connectors to connect to them, as they are like a male spade coming out of the block.