Daytime running lights...

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:50 am

I just drive with my headlights on, always.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 2:01 pm

OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:I just drive with my headlights on, always.

Same.

I actually think there's no point to even having parking lamps on a car. I can't think of any situation where low beam headlights wouldn't be equally useful.

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:30 pm

They're good backup if the headlamp fails......

Crapweasel · Postby **Crapweasel** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:39 pm

Another vote for headlights on at all times.

Is now as natural as putting on the seatbelt.

HIDs in the MX5 assists greatly, especially with a grey car on a grey road when it's overcast or raining.

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:46 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:I just drive with my headlights on, always.

Same.

I actually think there's no point to even having parking lamps on a car. I can't think of any situation where low beam headlights wouldn't be equally useful.

Agree. Only I would say 'more useful' :wink:

MINX · Postby **MINX** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:30 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:I just drive with my headlights on, always.

Same.

I actually think there's no point to even having parking lamps on a car. I can't think of any situation where low beam headlights wouldn't be equally useful.

What about if you are parking at night and wish to leave the parking lights on while you leave the vehicle?
To make it more visible for what ever reason.
Obviously you wouldn't leave the headlights on for any length of time while the car is parked, unattended or otherwise.

PS My car for an example of DRLs

http://www.trackphotos.com.au/p420667157/h58884070#h5888407e

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:09 am

Why not just fit a key on, headlights on unit? That's how they do it on all the mine spec cars. You can get electronic units that do it. Or easy way to do it at home is use the output from a oil pressure sender to trigger the headlight relay?

That way if you have oil pressure your lights are on, but not till the car is started so less battery problems.

Patrick Bramston · Postby **Patrick Bramston** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:09 am

might help

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:25 am

Headlights are normally a pain on NAs. The pop-ups interfere with side forward vision enough to be a problem, especially on winding roads. Standard parkers are not bright enough to be effective as DRLs and if you substitute LEDs for the standard parker lamps then they're too bright as parkers at night.

Has anyone tried adding LEDs (not substituting) into the parker assembly and wiring them separately from the standard parkers so they comply with the DRL vehicle regs?

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:41 pm

Bottom line guys is you buy a properly engineered and certified drl kit and fit it in line with the spec. I reckon an excellent solution would be to ditch the next to useless fog lights and fit a kit but the problem is actuallly finding a kit of that configuration ie round- I tried and did not find one though there may be something around- it would be a neat solution. I also would not bother with cheap uncertified kits- there are a lot of rubbish drls around. Minx is right and Manga etc a parker light is only 5W incandescent in most cars and its light output is deliberately limited and diffused by the lens. DRLs are much brighter but of course designed to be seen in the day. Parkers are ok in overcast days and of course at night but no value on a bright day.

Incidentally parkers are a vital part of a car lighting and - I am amazed that people do not use them. When the parker goes on then so does the rear lamp. If you park your car in a dodgy area eg one without street lighting or on a wet and stormy night and you wish to leave the car unattended or to be seen by other road user then it works for everyone- a safety measure and can save lives and injury. Break down and you can use your parkers. Hazards are not always a viable alternative. Doesnot anyone ever drive in the country or park in area where there is not street lighting? Bear in mind headlights are normally 55W so minimum 110W and thats not only bright but a battery drain for an engine not running.

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:12 pm

Fog lights are low down to illuminate roadway in thick fog. Useless position to warn others of your position, especially those beside you. Mirrors are a suitable height and many makes now use them for turning warning and DRLs.
Be great if someone came up with replacement mirrors with DRLs inbuilt, maybe flashing for turn warning too.
I feel DRL's in grill opening are pretty useless too except for dead ahead.
I'm going with headlamps on all the time .....

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:57 pm

Silvia-. Try looking at many new cars all fitted with DRls'-look at the mounting and the size etc. Read Manga' post with the rules on DRLs . Its not legal to have drls except in the front of the car- these are designed to be seen by oncoming vehicles - you cannot see a drl from the side- you are not meant to. I can tell you for sure that drls in the grille work a treat- easily seen by other cars either you behind them or for those coming the other way. A headlamp is designed to see at night ie its throwing 100W up the road. WIth a drl its on as soon as the car starts- no thinking about it and no manual operation. Headlights on required switching both on an off and whilst it is reasonable popular I still think its annoying to other road users.
Fogs- rarily of value for most users - and used often illegally and definitely annoys others when they are used in clear daylight. However they do work well to be seen but the law says you cannot do this unless the weather is inclement. I used to employ the fogs to be seen but I do not want to get booked.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:41 pm

Next step for me is to dismantle a parking lamp assembly to see If I can fit these in and control them with this

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:00 am

manga_blue wrote:Next step for me is to dismantle a parking lamp assembly to see If I can fit these in and control them with this

Beaut research MB, the control circuit is a bargain, do you have any idea of the dimensions of the LED assembly?
Greg.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:55 am

might work but cheap leds are rubbish. If you look at some of the aftermarket units around they emit a very poor light- very often not white and not bright. You still need a minimum number of leds to provide sufficient light - one will not do it. I saw a report somewhere about getting amateurs to fit 3 or so different drll kits and some were easier than others but all doable. If there is no certification then if you do get picked up or if you simply want to do things well then the bit and pieces approach is inferior.