It no longer surprises anyone that headlights or special lamps called daytime running lights (DRL) should be lit on a car while driving. And if at first such a ride was unusual, now it has become the norm for all drivers. Even manufacturers have made the necessary changes to the design of the vehicle. But there remains a large fleet of previously produced cars, devoid of DRLs, and drivers have to use regular low beam lamps and dimensions. True, it is possible to make such a device yourself or buy a ready-made set, but in this case the question arises - how to connect daytime running lights.
And what do traffic rules and other regulatory documents require?
If you look at the technical regulations, it defines DRLs as lamps installed in front of the vehicle. The parameters of their placement are shown in the figure. These lamps are directed forward and light up when the ignition is started. When you turn on the low beam, they should go out. There is an addition to the regulations - if there is no DRL, at any time the dipped beam or fog lights should be on on the vehicle while driving.
As a rule, modern DRLs are made on the basis of LEDs, have varied form and can be installed on any vehicle. The appearance of one of these samples is shown in the photo.
The requirements specifically stipulate that DRLs can be optionally installed on the machine, that is, additionally (optionally), if they were not previously provided for by the design of the vehicle. By the way, the color of the glow is also determined, it must be white, slight deviations of the emission spectrum are allowed.
Why do we need DRLs if headlights are allowed?
The advantage of DRLs is their efficiency and brightness. LEDs consume less electricity than other types of lamps. And if for new cars this is not so important, in them the generator provides battery charging under any conditions, then for old cars the lack of charging can become critical.
In them, for example, idling power generation will not be carried out in the required volume, which will cause an additional discharge of the battery. And if this does not happen while driving on the highway, then in the urban cycle such a phenomenon is fraught with undercharging of the battery.
In addition, the brightness of the DRL glow is higher than the dipped beam headlights, making the car more visible on the road. The on/off mode is also important. running lights. When installing DRL, it is implemented automatically, while when using low beam, you have to do it yourself. And if you forgot to turn on the headlights, then when meeting with the inspector, such forgetfulness can threaten you with a fine.
Today there are many different sets, allowing you to independently install DRL on the car. Most often these are running lights from Philips or Hella. You can find kits designed to mount on any machine, but they all have a rather high price. So motorists have to engage in the manufacture of such devices with their own hands. And although it takes time, but it allows you to reduce costs. Choosing this option, you need to take care of how to properly connect daytime running lights.
And how to do it?
There are many different approaches to the installation of DRL. But do not forget the main requirement - the lights should light up when the ignition is turned on and go out when the low beam appears. If you buy a ready-made set of DRLs, then there is a diagram and it indicates which wires to pull where.
Another thing is if the lights are made independently. Yes, and when using a ready-made kit, sometimes qualified drivers have a desire to make changes to the standard scheme. So the issue of connecting DRL is far from being idle, and it should be given special attention.
Many different schemes have been created that make it possible to implement their own DRL control algorithms in each case. Here is one of the most common:
It is clear that each machine has its own characteristics, but the diagram shows the most general recommendations, showing where to connect the daytime running lights to ensure they work in accordance with the generally accepted algorithm. It uses a standard automotive relay, which is easy to get at any auto parts store. It is permissible to install it on the circuit board, there are usually free places, or on any convenient location. Where to connect the wires is indicated in the diagram.
As a rule, DRL control is implemented on a relay. Connection schemes can be different, while not fundamentally different, for example, as shown below.
Although there are options when a special control unit or additional electronic components are used. Another approach is without using a relay. A diagram of such a connection is shown below.
Which option to choose - it's up to everyone to decide for themselves. But if you purchase a ready-made kit, then, most likely, everything you need is already there, including an indication of where which wires should be pulled.
It is only necessary to additionally note that there are special pads and clips that greatly facilitate the entire procedure for installing DRLs. Usually they can be purchased at the store. The video shows how the connection is made daytime lights using relays, pads and clips according to one of the following schemes:
DRLs have long been the norm when driving on the road. Nevertheless, there are still quite a few cars in operation that do not have daytime lights, and a number of drivers install them themselves. According to the traffic rules, this is quite acceptable, it is only necessary to ensure correct algorithm their work.
Daytime running lights are designed to improve safety traffic. European studies have shown that the use of DRLs reduces the number of road accidents by approximately 6%. However, for the past five years, all products of the European automotive industry have been supplied with DRL already at the factory.
The rules of the road oblige drivers to ensure daylight vehicle. It can be low beam lights or fog lights. However, they permanent use puts a load on the battery, in addition, the lamps wear out.
Possible options for daytime running lights:
- Low beam headlights switched on when the engine is running;
- Headlights high beam operating at reduced power;
- Fog lights (PTF) with a modified algorithm of work. When the ignition is started, they should turn on, and when the headlights are turned on, they should go out.
An alternative is special daytime running lights (DRL). Newer car models are equipped with them at the factory. On an older model, on a VAZ 2101, for example, you can install a DRL kit yourself, quickly and easily.
Video tutorial on how to connect daytime running lights
Choice of daytime running lights
There are many different DRL kits on the market. Venerable European brands side by side with quality products from China. The main difference between them is the value for money. Choice specific model envy of the preferences, needs and capabilities of the car owner himself.
There are also quite a few configurations of such lights. The most common row configuration of lights. She represents led strip enclosed in transparent plastic for correction luminous flux. There are options for arranging diodes in a square or landing on flexible tapes.
DRLs of a higher class are equipped with special relays that allow switching on simultaneously with the start of the engine. In addition, such relays coordinate the operation of daytime running lights, as well as emergency lighting.
In more simple options such systems are not provided, but if you have small skills and a couple of relays, you can organize them yourself. The installation of newly acquired DRLs can be entrusted to professionals, although you can do it yourself. The process is not difficult, but time consuming.
Do-it-yourself installation of running lights
Before installing DRL, it is necessary to prepare materials:
- Actually a set of lights.
- Heat shrink insulation (or electrical tape).
- Plastic clips for wires.
- Relay for switching on when starting the ignition.
Next, you will need to decide on the future location of the DRL. Of course, they should be placed on the front of the body. Most often this is a bumper or air intake, but you can attach them to the grille. Distributed and installed in place fog lights. When choosing the location of DRL on a car, you need to take into account a number of traffic rules:
- The height of the DRL should not exceed 1500 millimeters or be less than 250 millimeters;
- The distance from the overall edge of the vehicle to the outer edge of the lights should not exceed 400 millimeters;
- The distance between the inner edges of the lighting fixtures should not exceed 600 millimeters. The minimum distance value for cars with an overall width of less than 1300 millimeters is reduced to 400 millimeters.
Blocks can be fastened to the body different ways. Double-sided tape is often supplied in the kit, but its reliability is in doubt, so it is better to provide for the possibility of mounting on self-tapping screws.
TIP: DRL body lights Chinese made it is better to additionally treat with sealant, as there are known cases of water getting into them. As a result, the diodes burn out, and it becomes necessary to replace them.
After attaching the DRL, you can start connecting the wiring. Naturally, before starting work, be sure to disconnect the battery. Correctly connect the lights will help the scheme included in the kit. If DRLs are installed that have a control unit, then you will probably have to look for a place for it under the hood. It is best to fix the stretched wires with special clamps, because there are a lot of heating elements under the hood that can damage the wiring.
If there is no such block, then you will have to build a relay into the dipped beam circuit. It is important not to forget to install a fuse in the DRL connection circuit. The hassle is not much more, but the benefits are obvious. For ease of use, you can put a special DRL on button on the dashboard.
With some skills in DRL, it can be made from fog lights. Their use in this way is not against the law at all.
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Many motorists have already heard about the benefits of DRL and are starting to look for a decent model in stores. The range is widely represented by Chinese junk costing from 300 to 5000 rubles. Some do not understand why put them on a car and buy rubbish for 500 rubles, which shines a little brighter than the dimensions, the power is 2 watts. Probably you have seen such ones, they still shine with blue light, and some of the LEDs are not lit or blinking. Then they have a problem, how to connect running lights so that they work longer. Garage craftsmen offer various schemes connecting DRL, the most difficult thing is to choose the right one.
Common names to be used in the text: DRL "Daytime Running Lights", daytime running lights.
- 1. Types of connection
- 2. Mode of operation
- 3. How to connect DRL with control unit
- 4. DRL controller
- 5. Choose a stabilizer
- 6. Connection via relay
- 7. Other less popular ways
- 8. Checking the installation
- 9. An example of benefit
Connection types
DRL Eagle eye, eagle eye
The wiring diagram for navigation lights depends on the configuration and your budget. There are 3 types of equipment:
- the most inexpensive, only DRL;
- average in price, stabilizer included;
- expensive, with a control controller.
If you have the cheapest and worst ones, then there is no controller or control unit included. Such a unit performs the function of a voltage stabilizer and control on and off.
In the middle configuration there is a voltage regulator for 12v. There are power surges in the car network, and the LEDs do not like this very much and fail. The stabilizer will significantly extend the life of the LEDs. But in this option, you will have to choose a place to connect so that they turn on only when the engine is running. There are many places for this, for example, an oil pressure sensor or a generator.
The expensive version is equipped with a control unit that connects directly to battery in the car. According to the principle of operation, they are of two types:
- determine the difference between the number of volts with the engine turned off and running;
- cheaper, this is the inclusion when the voltage rises above 13V.
The first option is the best, regardless of the voltage on your battery, always turn on and off correctly. The second option is budgetary and does not always work. With the engine off, the volts must drop below 13V for the controller to turn off the DRL. But if your battery is new or well charged, then even after the engine is stopped, the voltage on it will be higher than 13V for up to several hours. That is, the daytime running lights will not turn off on their own until there is less than 13V. The only drawback will be its own power consumption when the controller is waiting for the engine to start. It will discharge the battery along with the burglar alarm.
Working mode
By technical regulations for cars, the DRL should automatically turn on when the engine is started. When you turn on the dipped beam, they should automatically turn off so as not to blind in dark time days.
On sale there are also combined models with installed turn signals. The direction indicator duplication section is connected separately in parallel with the standard turn signals. Having a stable diet is also a must.
DRL with turn signal
For models with additional management there is a function of the accompanying backlight, which works 10 minutes after the engine is turned off. It illuminates your path to the house or dugout, depending on where you live. Osram DRL has a mode in which they do not turn off, but dim by 50%. I just don’t know how legal it is and whether it will blind.
How to connect DRL with a control unit
DRL controller
I prefer the DRL connection scheme using the control unit, the most reliable way, suitable for any car and does not require any knowledge. Many motorists buy a DRL control unit from AliExpress - it is inexpensive, and the reviews seem to be good. However, most reviews are left either at the time of receipt of the goods, or after a few days of use. In fact, absolutely all DRL controllers from AliExpress are short-lived and have the following shortcomings:
- the principle of operation does not comply with GOST;
- no stabilization (in most);
- low quality materials and assembly;
- features not taken into account onboard network car;
- no guarantee;
- some are not waterproof.
Of the quality options, I can distinguish from Russian manufacturer, which fully complies with GOST and differs good quality. Also, the DayLight+ controller has built-in stabilization, which will significantly increase the life of navigation lights.
Choosing a stabilizer
In this form, the first and second methods will be combined. Even if your daytime running lights do not have a stabilizer, I recommend purchasing one or making it yourself.
You can buy Chinese modules at a price of 50 to 120 rubles, so as not to order on Aliexpress, look at Avito, there are very acceptable prices. The most common modules are pulse LM2596 and linear LM317. Of course, they are outdated, but the current will be pulled by 1 ampere, it will be a power of 12 watts.
Modern for 2016 are considered on XL6009, XL4015 microcircuits. They have higher efficiency and heat up much less. Withstand a current of 2 Amperes without a cooling system for the microcircuit, this is equivalent to a load of 24 watts.
Connection via relay
On forums and websites you will meet different ways how to connect daytime running lights with your own hands, it will be different for each brand. Specialized relays are also sold, for example, Forget-Me-Not, designed for any car.
The principle of operation is simple. Power for the daytime running lights is supplied from the ignition switch wire. The positive wire from the far and near breaks the circuit when voltage appears on it. For this, 5 contact relays are sufficient. First, look at the solution on forums that specialize only in the brand of your car. Perhaps you will find a simpler solution.
For example, in the Duster, you can connect the DRL to the cigarette lighter, it is energized only when the ignition is on. It's better than looking for an ignition wire in the wiring. In any case, I recommend putting a fuse in case of a short circuit.
In many circuits, a gauge wire is used to disable the DRL. This is wrong DRL should not go out when the dimensions are turned on, only with low beam.
Another type of daytime running lights connection scheme is the installation of a relay in a regular car relay unit without any upgrades. It includes a distant 30% or 50%, which will be enough to indicate the transport on the road. If the far one consumes 120W, then 30% is equal to approximately 36W, 50% is equal to 60W.
Other less popular methods
Many people are interested in how to connect DRL without a relay on their own, but it depends on the electrics of your car, look for a solution in online clubs dedicated to your car. The most important thing is that power is supplied in this place after starting the engine.
The main scheme for connecting DRL, through 4 or 5 contact relay, which turns off when the neighbor is turned on. Whoever is not too lazy to rummage through the wiring of a car is connected from an oil pressure sensor or a generator. On any vehicle, when the engine is started, the oil pressure light comes on. dashboard, the signal from this wire is used to supply power. The second way, how to connect running lights yourself, is to connect to a generator. They will turn on automatically when the voltage appears on the generator.
Checking the installation
Most car owners, after connecting the running lights with their own hands, like to take a photo of their junk. To make it not so dim, do it at night at close range. Due to their illiteracy, they do not know what to check in sunny weather from a distance of 100 meters. Therefore, they are called daytime, not nighttime.
Benefit example
When traveling in winter for short distances, especially in hard frost, a large number of battery power is used to start the engine. Over time, the battery loses its capacity and holds a charge worse. Using DRLs instead of low beams will allow you to charge your battery faster while driving.
Let's calculate:
- dipped beam consumes about 100W, 2 lamps of about 50W each;
- decent DRL up to 15W;
- 100W - 15W = 85W of energy will be consumed less.
For example, in my Duster there is a regular heating element that heats the interior until the engine warms up. Accordingly, the car will warm up faster.
The rules of the road provide for the mandatory ignition of running lights during the day while the car is moving. This is due to the fact that a car with headlights on is certainly much more noticeable on the road. And this reduces the risk of an accident.
Many drivers consider connecting daytime running lights to cars too expensive pleasure- as an alternative, the rules allow the use of low beams or fog lights. However, these options are not entirely successful. Constantly turning on the headlights will lead to the fact that after a short time it will be necessary to replace the lamps - you will not go anywhere from wear and tear. Each product has its own resource: whatever the pattern of use, after the resource is exhausted, a replacement is necessary.
Do-it-yourself daytime running lights on a car
So, what do we have if we use options with foglights and low beam headlights? And here's what:
- premature wear of lamps;
- battery discharge and generator power consumption;
- increased consumption of gasoline;
- danger of forgetting to turn on the lights before starting to move and earn a fine.
Therefore, it is best to attend to the installation of regular running lights and connect them correctly. And best of all, if the connection scheme works according to the principle automatic start lights after starting the car engine.
If you do not want to spend money on the services of specialists in the development and implementation of a DRL switching scheme, you can find options here that you can do yourself.
Installation of regular running lights Necessary materials
Before connecting daylights, you will need to stock up on all necessary tools and materials. To do the job yourself, you will need:
- pliers;
- wire cutters;
- soldering iron;
- insulated two-wire wire;
- LED DRL;
- relay for cars at 12V;
- reed switch;
- single wire;
- plastic clamps.
After everything you need is in stock, you can start connecting the DRL on your car with your own hands.
Scheme 1
The first option provides for the automatic inclusion of DRL after the start of the ignition and off after the engine stops. At the same time, the minus is closed to the body of the machine, and the plus is connected to the plus of the ignition switch. All this is quite easy to do with your own hands, even without special knowledge in the field of electrical engineering. The main thing is to carefully monitor what goes where.
Scheme for automatic inclusion of daytime running lights Scheme 2
The second option is essentially a variation of the first. Here, the same operations are performed with one small difference - after turning on the dipped beam headlights, the running lights are turned off. Here, the plus is connected, as in the previous section, and the minus is connected to the plus of the low beam lights.
This is because the incandescent lamp, which is used for low beam, has more low resistance and more current flows through it. At the moment when the dipped beam is turned on, a plus appears on the minus of the DRL, and they go out.
This option is also quite easy to implement with your own hands - it is important not to confuse and connect all the contacts correctly.
Wiring diagram for daytime running lights If you have incandescent lamps installed as dimensions, you can use this principle for dimensions.
Scheme 3
Here, the running lights are switched on after the engine is started. The relay, battery and alternator are activated. We connect the minus of the DRL with the body of the car, and the plus with the relay contact under the label 30. The relay contact with the label 87 is connected to the positive of the battery. We close the relay contact with the label 85 to the mass of the car through the DRL. And with the label 86 we connect to the reed switch, the second contact of which we turn on to the plus of the generator. After starting the engine, we move the reed switch around the generator so that the relay is activated and the running lights turn on. After that, we pack the reed switch in a thermopolymer and attach it to the generator. It is very important that the reed switch is mounted exactly in the place of the generator where the relay is triggered.
Scheme of connection of running lights from the generator Scheme 4
This option is a variation of the previous scheme when a reed switch is not available. Then the contact with the label 86 is attached to the oil pressure lamp in the dashboard. In this case, the lights will also turn on after the engine is started. This option is done by hand a little easier than the previous one.
How to connect daytime running lights Conclusion
According to the rules of the road, the driver is required to turn on the daytime running lights so that the car is more visible on the road. Can be used as DRL fog lights and low beam lamps. But this is impractical, because it leads to battery discharge - the generator power is not enough for its constant recharging. This will lead to overspending gasoline and premature wear lamps.
Therefore, there are several options for connecting LED DRLs with your own hands - they provide for their automatic activation after starting the engine or turning on the ignition.
