Self-installation of high beams at full intensity instead of DRLs - this is real

01/26/2022 8,843 Light and sound devices

Author: Ivan Baranov

Today, in many countries, traffic regulations require drivers to use daytime running lights or low beams while driving, regardless of the time of day. With the adoption of these amendments, many motorists whose cars are not equipped with DRLs began installing this type of optics. But there is another option - to use DRLs on high beam at full intensity. In this article we will talk in detail about the implementation of this method.

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Sanctions for illegal installation of LED lamps

If a motorist installs LED bulbs in a vehicle whose headlights are not marked to fit halogen headlights, he is breaking the law. To be more precise, the law will be violated only at the moment when the driver drives such a car onto public roads.

Legal punishment for LEDs

What is the punishment for this offense? Having analyzed the Administrative Code, it can be decided that for the installation of headlights that do not comply with the markings, sanctions should be imposed under Part 1 of Art. 12.5 – fine 500 rubles. It is this article that establishes liability for drivers who drive vehicles with defects. Let us remind you that the discrepancy between the types of lenses and lamps is in the official List of faults. However, in practice, more severe penalties are imposed for installing LED lamps.

Actual punishment for LEDs

Unfortunately, the theory and practice of applying sanctions do not always agree. In fact, drivers are often deprived of their license under Part 3 of Art. for discrepancies between headlights and lamps. 12.5. If you look at the text of this article, it will become clear that such punishment is illegal. Firstly, in order to be held accountable under Part 3, both conditions must be met: a change in color and operating mode. LED lamps, like any other basic lamps installed on the front of the car, shine in a standard white color. Secondly, even if we assume that the color of the headlights changes slightly, the error can be found in the second point. Russian legislation provides for 2 modes of operation of car lighting devices: flashing (flashing) and constant. That is, the operating mode does not mean the type of lamps, but the external way of their operation: blinking or continuous emission of light.

Delivery in Moscow and Moscow Region:

• Pickup at St. Krasnodarskaya 14 metro station Lyublino (Mon-Fri from 9 to 18) SALES OFFICE
• Pickup at St. Novokhokhlovskaya, building 14 bldg. 1, MCC Novokhokhlovskaya (Mon-Fri from 10 to 18) (100% payment.) Pick-up point
• By courier within the Moscow Ring Road 350 rubles. (on the day of order or the next*)
• By car beyond the Moscow Ring Road up to 5 km. 550 rubles, then + 25 rubles. for every 1 km from the Moscow Ring Road
• For order amounts over 10,000 rubles, delivery within Moscow is free!

*check with the manager, same-day delivery is available if a courier/driver is available.

What's wrong with custom LED DRLs?

Despite the wide range of advantages, LED running lights (LED-DRL) are not without their disadvantages. For obvious reasons, Chinese manufacturers carefully hide the “other side of the coin”, trying to impose an advertised product on an inexperienced buyer for little money. Practice sometimes proves the complete lack of efficiency from cheap DRLs installed by yourself, which manifests itself as follows:

• the luminous intensity is significantly less than the minimum value established by the rules of 400 cd;
• the angle of propagation of the luminous flux does not meet the standards;
• poor build quality leads to failures and rapid failure of the DRLs.

Of course, you can buy high-quality DRLs with LEDs, pay for their connection and installation according to all the rules, and then enjoy the ride. However, the cost of a branded kit with installation services will amount to approximately 7 thousand rubles.

Delivery across Russia:

SHIPPING BY A TRANSPORT COMPANY WITH AN EXACT CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT AND DATE OF DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR OR PICKUP POINT IN YOUR CITY!

• Delivery to CDEK pick-up point from 150 rubles.
• Express delivery to the door (in hand) CDEK Express from 210 rub.
• Russian Post (100% payment)* 500 rub.
• EMC (100% payment)* 850 rub.
• For order amounts over 10,000 rubles, delivery within Russia is free!

Before sending your order, the entire kit is checked for functionality! You can be confident in the quality of the products you purchase. We also provide remote consultations on the technical aspects of our products.

Source: bixenon-shop.ru

Characteristics of DRL headlights

Instead of daytime running lights, the driver can use DRL headlights; this development was invented by European specialists. In this case, the reflector uses a 12-watt halogen light source, very similar to an an-distance light. When installing such optics, the light flux will be directed not at the road surface, as with low beam lighting, but into the eyes of other motorists. But at the same time, it will not blind drivers, but will provide better visibility of the car on the road. If you are interested in this method, this function can be implemented using high beams, while the headlights will shine not at half, but only at a third of the power.

Principle of operation

How does high beam work at full intensity? When the driver turns on the high beams, the optics will glow rather dimly, but this is enough to identify their vehicle on the road. At the same time, the light will not blind other road users. Of course, for this you need to install a separate button. When this button is turned off, the optics will switch to high beam mode. It should be noted that this will not in any way affect the implementation of all long-range lighting functions (the author of the video is Vitaly Sussky).

Advantages and disadvantages

If you decide to use high beams at full intensity instead of DRLs, then if you implement the task correctly, you will be able to experience the following advantages:

1. Firstly, you don’t have to buy LED optics separately and waste time installing them. Accordingly, if you don’t understand anything about electrics, you also save yourself from having to spend money on installing headlights.
2. Secondly, with the correct implementation of the circuit, you can ensure that the load on the battery will be lower. Accordingly, the likelihood that an older battery will discharge faster is minimized. This advantage is especially important for car enthusiasts who use dead batteries in the cold season, when they discharge even faster.
3. Thirdly, the service life of low-beam lighting sources becomes longer. So you save yourself from more frequent financial costs for purchasing lamps.
4. In addition, when implementing a DRL system, the luminous flux will shine a little higher, accordingly, the vehicle will be more noticeable in the flow of cars.
5. When this feature is enabled, the tail lights will not illuminate, so they will not be able to “mask” the brake lights. This not only improves driving safety, but also allows you to increase the service life of the rear lamps.
6. Also, you will not encounter the problem of dimming the interior lighting. When the side lights are on and the sun is bright outside, it will be more difficult for the driver to see the radio screen.
7. Some car enthusiasts note that with the right approach, you can even achieve a reduction in fuel consumption. This figure is small, only about 0.15 liters per hour. However, this benefit can only be achieved if the engine is running correctly and fuel consumption is not increased beyond normal.

As for the shortcomings, in principle, there are none. The only disadvantages include the installation and implementation of the scheme, which can cause difficulties. But this problem can also be solved by carefully reading the instructions or contacting specialists.

Why is it undesirable to use low beam?

The name “Low Beam” indicates its intended purpose – illuminating the roadway in the dark directly in front of the car, without dazzling oncoming traffic. The decision to use it as navigation lights was a necessary measure that did not require redesign of the structure or additional capital investments. The result: we wanted the best (to increase the level of safety on the roads), but it turned out as always (the load on the car increased).

Unlike standard DRLs, which begin to glow when the engine is started, low beam headlights (FBS) must be remembered to be turned on and off. Forgot to turn it on - fine, forgot to turn it off - dead battery. In both cases, the consequences are not rosy. The luminous flux emitted by low beam headlights is mainly directed downwards, so as not to miss imperfections in the asphalt. At a relatively large distance between oncoming cars, the effect of such a glow is practically absent. It turns out that when driving at a speed of about 100 km/h, it is difficult for drivers to react in a timely manner to vehicles that are moving or overtaking in the oncoming lane and creating a potential emergency threat. This is perhaps the main disadvantage of using low beams instead of DRLs, requiring increased concentration from drivers.

In some brands of cars, not only the FBS, but also other lighting devices, for example, dashboard lighting, are powered from one switch. There is no benefit from this during the daytime, but additional energy and fuel consumption is provided. Traveling around the city with frequent downtime in traffic jams and traffic lights also has a negative impact. In such cases, the generator does not have time to replenish the battery with energy.

Regular use of low beam headlights during the daytime has a negative impact on the reliability of all elements of the electrical circuit: the service life of the lamps and battery is reduced. As a result, at night, when you simply cannot do without FBS, one of the lamps may simply fail.

DRL control unit

The most reliable and simplest option is to connect DRLs without a relay, but using a special running lights control unit. It ensures that the DRL turns on after starting the engine, guarantees safe operation, protects against overloads and can be installed on cars with any type of lamps, including LEDs.

Unfortunately, among the variety of industrially manufactured DRL units, the vast majority do not comply with GOST and have mediocre build quality.

Among all the diversity, only 2 options can be noted: the Russian DayLight+ DRL control unit and German products from Philips and Osram. The DayLight+ control unit was developed by Russian radio engineer Fedor Isachenkov, taking into account all the features of the vehicle’s on-board network and has a number of positive aspects:

• there is built-in voltage stabilization;
• full compliance with GOST;
• the maximum long-term load power is 36 Watts (significantly less is required for DRLs);
• simplest connection diagram.

In addition to the points described above, the DayLight+ unit is universal and is suitable for all cars with an on-board 12-volt network, and also has good build quality and a high degree of protection from moisture and dust.

High beam at full intensity instead of DRL

There is another way to implement navigation lights that does not have the above disadvantages. Its essence lies in the use of high beam headlights, turned on at full intensity and used instead of DRLs. This method of inclusion has long been proposed by the Americans. However, this option has not become widespread in the European car market.

The essence of the method is to turn on two high-beam lamps in series, which leads to a twofold decrease in the voltage on them. Since the light bulb coil is a resistive load, the current decreases in proportion to the voltage. As a result, power consumption and light output are reduced by 4 times. Oddly enough, the effect from such DRLs is higher than from the low beam on. The light from them is softer and is directed at oncoming drivers.

The relay arrived from China a month later

Here is his photo

I had already purchased the running lights, so I immediately started installing them, estimated the length of the wires for the running lights and the relay; I would have to increase them, since the Chinese save as much as they can.

For reliability, I took a heat gun and filled the connection of the wires with plastic, additionally installing heat-shrinkable tubes

I stretched the wires from the chassis to the relay, and pulled the chassis themselves into the holes in the bumper.

I wiped the surface of the bumper with vodka to glue the DRLs with double-sided tape.

Pasted

I also connected the relay to the running gear using a heat-shrink tube, having previously filled the connection with a heat gun

I took the power to the relay directly from the battery terminal; I have not yet connected the yellow control wire; it is responsible for turning off the running lights if the lights are on.

Now the operating mode of the running lights is as follows: they turn on a few seconds after the engine is started, the DRLs turn off after turning off the engine after 15-20 seconds, like a tracking light, very convenient. They shine very brightly

As a result, no connections to the wiring were needed, just apply a constant positive to the relay, it will turn on the drive trains when the engine is started, and turn it off after it stops.

How to obtain permission for reconstruction

Regarding the issuance of permission to install running lights, you will most likely be refused. The man spent 2 years and 8 thousand rubles, and never achieved any results. although he collected all the documents and installed the DRL in a specialized service. And in the end they answered him:

We cannot issue you a permit. You are the first who decided to officially install DRLs. We have never issued such conclusions. This is a pilot project. We are not sure that if we give you permission, then they will not do anything to us for it. Today we will allow you - and tomorrow the crowds will come here with the same thing. Drive like this - you don’t get stopped for them, do you? Well, that’s wonderful! Maybe someday the time will come and you will become a pioneer!…

As a result, it turns out that you can install running lights without permission from the authorities and drive safely. But it is unknown how long this will last. And won’t they issue a decree on the design of DRLs, as was the case with towbars, because we so love to “shod” the already poor Russians.

Description

What does this DRL controller provide with high beams at full intensity: There is no need to install additional headlights on the car, the standard high beams serve as daytime running lights.

As practice shows, high beam lamps burn out very rarely, since the car mainly uses low beam. Through the controller, 30% of the voltage will be supplied to the lamps instead of 100%, thereby making the lamps in the headlights practically eternal. Also, when you drive during the day with low beams, in addition to your headlights, your side lamps and taillights are on, which creates additional load on the car’s alternator and its service life. All this also affects fuel consumption. When driving with light, only 30% of the lamp power supply will be consumed through the DRL controller. So the DRL controller has very good advantages. On many foreign cars, such implementation of daytime running lights is done as standard at the factory.

How it works: After the car engine is started, after 10 seconds the high beam lights automatically smoothly with the set brightness of the lamps. (Brightness is programmed with a button on the controller)

Programming: Press and hold the button on the controller until the headlights blink twice. Each press of the button will add 5% brightness, and so on up to ten presses, then it will start from the beginning. To fix the required brightness, you need to press and hold the button again until the headlights blink twice, after which the settings are saved in the controller’s memory.

• The controller has 10 stages of lamp brightness adjustment from 0 to 50%
• Control output by (-)
• Control output by (+)

Installing the controller in a car: First of all, you need to make sure what polarity you have for controlling your headlights! (+or-) To do this, you need to check what polarity is supplied to the headlights when they are turned on normally. Our DRL controller has switching via (+)

• The red wire through the 15A fuse must be connected to (+) after turning on the ignition switch.
• Connect blue to high beam lamps. (Connection options: To the high beam fuse, to the high beam relay contact, cut into the standard wiring going to the headlight, directly to the headlight, see the diagrams below.)
• White switch on control (-), if pressed to ground it does not light up, if pressed from ground it lights up smoothly. Connects to the handbrake button or oil pressure sensor, your choice. The handbrake is raised and does not light up; the handbrake is lowered and the light comes on. Oil pressure sensor, engine started - on, engine off, off.
• The yellow control for switching on (+) must be connected to the dimensions of the car. Dimensions, or the standard light is on, the DRL goes out. (Connection options: To the headlight fuse, to the headlight relay contact, embed into the standard wiring going to the headlight, directly to the headlight, see the diagrams below.)
• White – mass.

A paper diagram is not supplied with the controller. Each pin is labeled on the controller.

Connection diagram to standard wiring.

Relay connection diagram.

Fuse connection diagram.

Controller benefits

• Saving headlight life - smooth switching on and automatic switching off, as well as using 75% power allow electric lamps to work significantly longer. The service life can be up to 5 years of operation or 100,000 km, depending on the lamp manufacturer;
• standard location - installation of the controller does not require changes to the vehicle itself or its electrical system and does not affect the warranty. The device is installed in the standard relay socket;
• versatility - can be used with all types of domestic cars and most imported ones;
• zero installation costs - no need to go to a service station or contact specialists to install the controller. You can do everything yourself.

The instructions included with the controller describe in detail all four installation options.

Attention! Installing the controller yourself does not affect the warranty

both the car and the controller itself.

The company guarantees the proper operation of the DRL unit subject to storage, transportation and operating conditions.

The warranty period is 6 months from the date of sale of the DRL unit. In case of failure or malfunction of the DRL unit, you must contact our company.

DRL connection diagrams

Since DRL can be mounted at your discretion, there are many connection schemes that allow you to configure the optics in the most convenient way for the driver. Let's look at the most popular of them.

Option 1 (to speed sensors)

This connection of running lights through a relay, the diagram of which is shown below, is considered one of the simplest. In this case, the DRLs will turn on depending on the operation of the speed sensor. In order to implement this scheme, it is necessary to connect contacts K1.1 to the circuit section (into the wiring break) from the low beam switch button to contact 85. In this case, you can use any relay with an opening pair, but experts recommend using a product with a TC code.

If you want the dipped lights to work while the engine is on, rather than the side lights, then the contacts must be “paralleled.”

Option 2 (to the oil sensor)

Another scheme for connecting daytime running lights via a relay uses an oil sensor. You should immediately check that it is in good working order, since if the regulator provides incorrect information about the fluid pressure, then the operation of the entire system will be disrupted.

With this installation of DRLs, the lights will turn on when the engine starts, and will be turned off by the dimensions. As optics, you can also use low beam or fog lights.

Option 3

It will be a little more difficult to connect the DRLs so that they turn on when the engine starts and turn off when it stops. In this case, the running lights will turn on together with the low beam headlights. This will require two low-power diodes (for example, 1A + KD10), which must be connected in series. After this, wires about 400 mm long are soldered to the light bulbs and connected. Don't forget that they are polar.

At the next stage:

• Dismantle and disassemble the dashboard of the car and connect the “blank” to X1 (most often the yellow wire).
• Remove the button through which the optics will be turned on.
• Plug the other end of the wire into the connector.
• Reinstall the button and check its functionality.

Option 4 (connecting running lights from the generator)

To implement such a project, you can use one of three schemes.

The first one is suitable if only the handbrake and the engine are used.

The second scheme for connecting running lights from the generator will require the use of an additional resistor, which is responsible for turning off the daylight when the side lights or headlights are activated.

The third scheme will allow you to deactivate the running lights:

• When you raise the handbrake, during the start of the internal combustion engine or during the automatic start of the engine along with the alarm.
• When the lights are turned on (in this case, it is necessary that the headlights or fog lights operate normally).

Roughly speaking, this type of connection “cancels” the automatic start of the DRL simultaneously with the ignition of the generator.

Healthy! It is this scheme that is “working” when passing the GTO.

Before connecting the running lights from the generator, it is recommended to watch the video at the end of the article. The fact is that there is more than one or two ways to activate the DRL. However, the connection will be much easier if you purchased a ready-made set of running lights.

Option 5 (connection of a ready-made kit)

In order not to rack your brains over how to install running lights on a car yourself, the easiest way is to buy a ready-made control unit to automatically turn off and turn on the DRLs. To install this module you need:

• Connect the black wire to the negative of the battery, and the red wire to the positive.
• The orange wire (if included) must be connected to the headlights or low beam. If the wire is not connected, the lights will not deactivate when the low beam or side lights are turned on.

After installing the DRL using any of the schemes described above, it is necessary to check that the installed elements are working correctly. To do this, start the engine and see if the light on the control panel is functioning, if the running lights are activated, and so on.

DRL - Automatic headlights

What are the advantages of using full beam high beams as DRLs! — we very rarely use high beam lamps; — high beams are better visible in the daytime; — high beam, during the day does not blind other road users; — increasing the life of the generator (relevant for the domestic auto industry) — low beam lamps and side lights burn out due to constant use and at the right moment we are deprived of light in the dark, and high beam cannot be replaced!

Which models are already installed on: Audi A4; BMW 5 series; Chery Fora; Chevrolet Aveo; Chevrolet Captiva; Chevrolet Lanos; Chevrolet Lacetti; Chevrolet Niva; Chevrolet Spark; Citroen C4; Daewoo Matiz; Daewoo Nexia; Fiat Albea; Ford Focus 2; Ford Fusion; Ford Mondeo 3; Ford Mondeo 4; Great Wall Hover H3; Great Wall Hover H5; 2009 Honda Civic 4D; Honda CRV 1999; Honda CRV3; Honda Fit 2002; Honda HR-V; Honda Jazz 2009; Honda Odissey; Hummer H3; Hyundai Accent; Hyundai Elantra; Hyundai Getz; Hyundai Grand Starex; Hyundai i30; Hyundai ix35; Hyundai Matrix; Hyundai SantaFe CM (2006-2012); Hyundai SantaFe Classic; Hyundai SantaFe Classic (Korea); Hyundai Sonata 5; Hyundai Verna; Hyundai Tucson; Hyundai Trajet; JEEP; KIA Carens UN 2006-2012; Kia(ED) Ceed FL; Kia Ceed (2007-2011); Kia Cerato; Kia Picanto; KIA RIO JB; KIA Sorento; KIA SPORTAGE KM 2007; Lexus GS300 1997; Lexus GX460 2011; Lexus RX350 2007; Lifan Breez 1.3; Lifan Solano; Mazda 323; Mazda 626 1998; Mazda Demio DY; Mazda 2 2004; Mazda MPV FS 2.0; Mazda Tribute; Mitsubishi Galant; Mitsubishi Lancer 9; Mitsubishi Lancer IX 2003; Mitsubishi Outlander; Mitsubishi Pajero 4; Mitsubishi Pajero Sport; Mitsubishi Pajero Sport New (MY 2010 2.5 TD automatic transmission); Nissan Almera; Renault Logan; Nissan Maxima QX 95-99; Nissan Note; Nissan Patfinder; Nissan Qashqai; Nissan SUNNY; Nissan Teana 2 New; Nissan Tiida C11 2004; Nissan Wingroad; Nissan X-Trail; Opel Astra G; Opel Astra H; Opel Corsa; Opel Meriva; Peugeot 4007; Renault Duster; Renault Fluence; Renault Koleos; Renault Laguna 1; Renault Laguna 2; Renault Laguna 2; Renault Laguna 3; Renault Latitude; Renault Logan (all editions); Renault Megane 2; Renault Megane 3; Renault Megane Grandtour; Renault Sandero; Renault Scenic 2; Renault Scenic 3; Renault Symbol; Renault Trafic; Samand (Peugeot-405); SsangYong Kyron; Sangeng Musso; Shkoda Fabia; Subaru Legacy Outback 89-98; Subaru Legacy Outback 2004; Subaru Legacy Outback 2009-12; Suzuki Escudo; Suzuki Grant Vitara; Suzuki JIMNY; Suzuki liana; Suzuki SX4; Suzuki Vagon R; Toyota 4Runner 215 2006-2009; Toyota Allion Premium; Toyota Altezza; Toyota Avensis 2003; Toyota Auris; Toyota Camry V40 2011; Toyota Camry V50; Toyota Camry 2010; Toyota Corolla; Toyota Corolla Spacio in 120 body; Toyota Estima Hybrid; Toyota Fun Cargo; Toyota Gaya; Toyota Harrier; Toyota Hilux; Toyota LC Prado 120; Toyota LC Prado 150; Toyota LC 200; Toyota Mark 2; Toyota Prius; Toyota Ractis 2011; Toyota RAV4; Toyota Starlet; Toyota Town Ase; Toyota Verso; Toyota Vista; Toyota Vitz; Toyota Yaris; Toyota Yaris Verso; Toyota Voxy; VW Passat B3; VW Passat B5; VAZ-21723; Priora VAZ-1118 Kalina; VAZ-11193 Kalina; VAZ-11194 Kalina; VAZ-2107; VAZ-2109; VAZ-2110; VAZ-2112; VAZ-2115; Volga Siber; Lada-Largus; Niva; Oka; Volga; Gazelle; KAMAZ; UAZ-Patriot

Watch a video review and test of the operation of the daytime running lamp (DRL) controller for Priora

Video demonstration of the installed DRL controller on a Renault Logan (full beam high beam)

Connection via 5-pin relay

Now it's time to learn how to connect running lights via a five-pin relay. The scheme is the most universal, and was assembled to eliminate the disadvantages of previous options.

• 30 – to the positive terminals of LED modules;
• 85 – to the positive wire of the side lamp;
• 86 – on the car body;
• 87a – to “+” from the ignition switch;
• 87 – do not connect (isolate).

The circuit with a five-contact relay works as follows. When you turn the key, +12 V is supplied to the DRLs, thereby turning them on. If you turn on the side lights or headlights, the relay will open contact 87a and close inactive contact 87. As a result, the DRLs will go out and the side lights will turn on. The circuit fully complies with the requirements of GOST and traffic regulations and can work with side lights even based on LEDs.

However, the circuit still has one negative point - the DRLs will turn on immediately after turning the ignition switch. That is, if you turn the key in the ignition but do not start the car, the DRLs will light up.

Despite the existing drawback, the circuit is quite successful, but in order to correctly connect the DRL via a five-pin relay, you will need to supplement the circuit with a voltage stabilizer.

Popular options for organizing daylighting in a car

After reading all of the above, some motorists may be upset. But in vain - there is a way out of this situation, because it is not necessary to use branded LED headlights. Light sources that you can install yourself, taking into account the technical tolerances of a certain car design, are quite suitable. There are many electrical circuits with which the system will be activated, including connection from a generator - everyone chooses their own option.