DRL

Y

Yvan

Guest
I need to add daytime running lights (DRL-s) to my car, and since I have
separate high and low beam lights, I thought I could use high beams for
DRL-s.

First idea was to connect high beams in series, but since both are
grounded I think that I can not do that.

Than I searched for information if my car ('87 BMW E30 316) had factory
DRL-s. I found that it did for some markets, and it was done by
resistors. Unfortunately I can not find these (or any other resistors)
where I am, so I need another solution.

My leatest idea is to use current regulator like this one:

http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Power/boosti.htm

Any thoughts, or better ideas?

Here is the solution for a later BMW model (E36):

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/drl-5.jpg


--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
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On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:53:49 +0100, Yvan <me@privacy.net> put finger
to keyboard and composed:

I need to add daytime running lights (DRL-s) to my car, and since I have
separate high and low beam lights, I thought I could use high beams for
DRL-s.

First idea was to connect high beams in series, but since both are
grounded I think that I can not do that.

Than I searched for information if my car ('87 BMW E30 316) had factory
DRL-s. I found that it did for some markets, and it was done by
resistors. Unfortunately I can not find these (or any other resistors)
where I am, so I need another solution.
Click to expand...
You could use 25W or 50W aluminium clad resistors. These have an
integral heatsink and mounting tabs. Farnell and RS Components stock
them.

Here are two examples:
http://www.rapidonline.com/netalogue/zoomed/Large/62807101.jpg

My leatest idea is to use current regulator like this one:

http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Power/boosti.htm

Any thoughts, or better ideas?
Click to expand...
The pass transistor will get very hot (as will resistors). A linear
voltage regulator is not a good idea, IMO.

Here is the solution for a later BMW model (E36):

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/drl-5.jpg
Click to expand...
I suspect that this device is not a linear regulator. IMO it would be
more reliable to switch the output at 100Hz, say, with a 50% duty
cycle or less, perhaps automatically adjusted for ambient conditions
via a CdS photocell.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
Yvan wrote:
I need to add daytime running lights (DRL-s) to my car, and since I have
separate high and low beam lights, I thought I could use high beams for
DRL-s.

First idea was to connect high beams in series, but since both are
grounded I think that I can not do that.

Than I searched for information if my car ('87 BMW E30 316) had factory
DRL-s. I found that it did for some markets, and it was done by
resistors. Unfortunately I can not find these (or any other resistors)
where I am, so I need another solution.

My leatest idea is to use current regulator like this one:

http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Power/boosti.htm

Any thoughts, or better ideas?

Here is the solution for a later BMW model (E36):

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/drl-5.jpg
Click to expand...
Why would anyone "NEED" to run drl's complete waste of time and energy.
Energy being fuel and wear and tear to no purpose
 
"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message
news:a38ji4t4d54sun7lc6h9gj0mnug1m1oo0u@4ax.com...
On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:53:49 +0100, Yvan <me@privacy.net> put finger
to keyboard and composed:

I need to add daytime running lights (DRL-s) to my car, and since I have
separate high and low beam lights, I thought I could use high beams for
DRL-s.

First idea was to connect high beams in series, but since both are
grounded I think that I can not do that.

Than I searched for information if my car ('87 BMW E30 316) had factory
DRL-s. I found that it did for some markets, and it was done by
resistors. Unfortunately I can not find these (or any other resistors)
where I am, so I need another solution.

You could use 25W or 50W aluminium clad resistors. These have an
integral heatsink and mounting tabs. Farnell and RS Components stock
them.

Here are two examples:
http://www.rapidonline.com/netalogue/zoomed/Large/62807101.jpg

My leatest idea is to use current regulator like this one:

http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Power/boosti.htm

Any thoughts, or better ideas?

The pass transistor will get very hot (as will resistors). A linear
voltage regulator is not a good idea, IMO.

Here is the solution for a later BMW model (E36):

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/drl-5.jpg

I suspect that this device is not a linear regulator. IMO it would be
more reliable to switch the output at 100Hz, say, with a 50% duty
cycle or less, perhaps automatically adjusted for ambient conditions
via a CdS photocell.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
Click to expand...

Isn't there an issue with running some halogen bulbs (assuming thats what
the OP has installed) at less than full power? Over time they build up a
metallic coating on the inside of the glass envelope.
 
Nedavno F Murtz napisa:

Why would anyone "NEED" to run drl's complete waste of time and
energy. Energy being fuel and wear and tear to no purpose
Click to expand...

Traffic law is about to change here. So "I must" or whatever other word
is more appropriate (English is not my native language).


--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
Nedavno Franc Zabkar napisa:

I need to add daytime running lights (DRL-s) to my car, and since I
have separate high and low beam lights, I thought I could use high
beams for DRL-s.

The pass transistor will get very hot (as will resistors). A linear
voltage regulator is not a good idea, IMO.
Click to expand...

How hot do they get? I found at eBay.uk 1ohm 50W clad resistor. Would
that one be OK?



Here is the solution for a later BMW model (E36):

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/drl-5.jpg

I suspect that this device is not a linear regulator. IMO it would be
more reliable to switch the output at 100Hz, say, with a 50% duty
cycle or less, perhaps automatically adjusted for ambient conditions
via a CdS photocell.
Click to expand...

Any links for this solution (the simplest variant - without automatic
adjustment)?



--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
Nedavno K Ludger napisa:

Isn't there an issue with running some halogen bulbs (assuming thats
what the OP has installed) at less than full power? Over time they
build up a metallic coating on the inside of the glass envelope.
Click to expand...

I did not hear about that. I have H1 bulbs. I'll have to search a bit to
confirm that.


--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
"Yvan@office" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:6ovmd0F5n4nkU3@mid.individual.net...
Nedavno K Ludger napisa:

Isn't there an issue with running some halogen bulbs (assuming thats
what the OP has installed) at less than full power? Over time they
build up a metallic coating on the inside of the glass envelope.


I did not hear about that. I have H1 bulbs. I'll have to search a bit to
confirm that.


--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
Click to expand...


You got me interested so I googled and found:

http://members.misty.com/don/bulb1.html#hle


"Another problem with dimming of halogen lamps is the fact that the halogen
cycle works best with the bulb and filament at or near specific optimum
temperatures. If the bulb is dimmed, the halogen may fail to "clean" the
inner surface of the bulb. Or, tungsten halide that results may fail to
return tungsten to the filament."



Years ago I pwm'ed some halogen lamps and saw evidence of the metal
deposition mentioned above.
 
Nedavno K Ludger napisa:

You got me interested so I googled and found:

http://members.misty.com/don/bulb1.html#hle
Click to expand...

Interesting reading, thank you. Perhaps I'll run bulbs at full power.



--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:40:59 +1100, F Murtz <haggisz@hotmail.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Why would anyone "NEED" to run drl's complete waste of time and energy.
Energy being fuel and wear and tear to no purpose
Click to expand...
When I was in Europe 10 years ago, the law had just changed to mandate
the use of headlamps during daytime, presumably as a safety measure.
AFAICS, this is a pointless law, not from the energy perspective, but
because people would learn to ignore them, thereby rendering them
useless. It would be better to restrict the use of one's lights to
indicate genuine safety issues, such as driving during rain or fog.
DRLs make about as much sense as a continuously operating horn.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:45:05 +0100, Yvan <me@privacy.net> wrote:

Nedavno K Ludger napisa:

You got me interested so I googled and found:

http://members.misty.com/don/bulb1.html#hle


Interesting reading, thank you. Perhaps I'll run bulbs at full power.
Click to expand...
We just returned from Canada/USA where we had four different rental vehicles
with DRL's. I'm quite sure all were at full brightness.
 
Nedavno rebel napisa:

We just returned from Canada/USA where we had four different rental
vehicles
with DRL's. I'm quite sure all were at full brightness.
Click to expand...

Yes, but low or high beams?


--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
On 2008-11-24, Yvan@office <me@privacy.net> wrote:
Nedavno F Murtz napisa:

Why would anyone "NEED" to run drl's complete waste of time and
energy. Energy being fuel and wear and tear to no purpose


Traffic law is about to change here. So "I must" or whatever other word
is more appropriate (English is not my native language).
Click to expand...
They're changing the law and requiring retrofit of DRLs in existing
vehicles? Usually laws like that apply only to new vehicles (first
registered after some date) Possibly you could cross a border and
register you car there instead?
 
Nedavno Jasen Betts napisa:

Traffic law is about to change here. So "I must" or whatever other
word is more appropriate (English is not my native language).

They're changing the law and requiring retrofit of DRLs in existing
vehicles? Usually laws like that apply only to new vehicles (first
registered after some date) Possibly you could cross a border and
register you car there instead?
Click to expand...

No, new low requires you to have low beams or DRLs.

And I can not drive car registered in other countries (unless I work or
live there), it is illegal here.



--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
Nedavno rebel napisa:

We just returned from Canada/USA where we had four different rental
vehicles
with DRL's. I'm quite sure all were at full brightness.


Yes, but low or high beams?

Low.
Click to expand...

I want high.



--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:14:35 +0100, Yvan <me@privacy.net> wrote:

Nedavno rebel napisa:

We just returned from Canada/USA where we had four different rental
vehicles
with DRL's. I'm quite sure all were at full brightness.


Yes, but low or high beams?
Click to expand...
Low.
 
Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:40:59 +1100, F Murtz <haggisz@hotmail.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Why would anyone "NEED" to run drl's complete waste of time and energy.
Energy being fuel and wear and tear to no purpose

When I was in Europe 10 years ago, the law had just changed to mandate
the use of headlamps during daytime, presumably as a safety measure.
AFAICS, this is a pointless law, not from the energy perspective, but
because people would learn to ignore them, thereby rendering them
useless. It would be better to restrict the use of one's lights to
indicate genuine safety issues, such as driving during rain or fog.
DRLs make about as much sense as a continuously operating horn.

- Franc Zabkar
Hear Hear !!
Click to expand...
Same goes with reversing beepers at the moment trucks have them and they
mostly penetrate the subconscious but as soon as every one has them you
wont notice them.
And fluorescent clothing same problem.
All these devices only work to a limited degree until they become common.
There has been studies with headlights during daytime which showed that
benefits were short lived.
 
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:52:45 +0100, "Yvan@office" <me@privacy.net> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Nedavno Franc Zabkar napisa:

I need to add daytime running lights (DRL-s) to my car, and since I
have separate high and low beam lights, I thought I could use high
beams for DRL-s.

The pass transistor will get very hot (as will resistors). A linear
voltage regulator is not a good idea, IMO.


How hot do they get?
Click to expand...
You would need to work out how much current passes through it and then
compute the power dissipation using Ohm's Law.

P = I x I x R = V x V / R

I found at eBay.uk 1ohm 50W clad resistor. Would
that one be OK?
Click to expand...
If you want to reduce the operating voltage by half, then you would
use a resistance equal to the resistance of your lamps at this
voltage. 1 ohm seems a little too low.

If you want to reduce the operating *power* by half, then you would
reduce the voltage to 70% of nominal, ie 10V. In this case a 1ohm
resistor might be close.

Here is the solution for a later BMW model (E36):

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/drl-5.jpg

I suspect that this device is not a linear regulator. IMO it would be
more reliable to switch the output at 100Hz, say, with a 50% duty
cycle or less, perhaps automatically adjusted for ambient conditions
via a CdS photocell.


Any links for this solution (the simplest variant - without automatic
adjustment)?
Click to expand...
I'd look at some DRL patents.

Try searching for "daytime running lights" here:
http://www.google.com/advanced_patent_search

US patent # 3,262,011 uses a resistor to reduce the voltage to the
headlamps (you can get a patent for that?).

Patent # 4,684,819 uses pulse width modulation.

Patent # 4,686,423 uses a linear voltage regulator.

As others have said, I'd be wary of operating halogen lamps at less
than their rated voltage.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
"Yvan@office" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:6p27gdF6012sU2@mid.individual.net...
Nedavno rebel napisa:

We just returned from Canada/USA where we had four different rental
vehicles
with DRL's. I'm quite sure all were at full brightness.


Yes, but low or high beams?

Low.


I want high.


But nobody else on the road wants to se you on High
Click to expand...

High is just as objectionable (and illegal) in the day time as in the night.

John G.
 
Nedavno John G. napisa:

I want high.


But nobody else on the road wants to se you on High

High is just as objectionable (and illegal) in the day time as in the
night.
Click to expand...

But BMW used it originally ( but not at full power) for my car - E30
(and at least for one or two models after - E36 and Z3). Check here:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrical/e36_daytime_running_lights.html



--
___ ____
/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
/ / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 **
/__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ **
 
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