DRL feed for additional LED lights

[Shaun Witts]

Annoying thing is I don't really get to see them myself...

That’s why I want to wire mine to come on with the welcome lights!

 

[VioletVW]

That’s why I want to wire mine to come on with the welcome lights!

That would look much better, and you'd get to see it.

I read on FB that someone has done this but there is an issue with the welcome lights dimming when the main lights come on at night. Or something of that nature. He was using resistiors and wiring in to daytime running lights and main headlights.

 

[Deaky]

That would look much better, and you'd get to see it.

I read on FB that someone has done this but there is an issue with the welcome lights dimming when the main lights come on at night. Or something of that nature. He was using resistiors and wiring in to daytime running lights and main headlights.

Sounds like he's making the job far too difficult. An optocoupler relay connected to the courtesy light circuit that switches a clean 12v for the bonnet light is all that's required. This will negate the issue of the PWM dimming and the fact that the courtesy circuit is switched on the -ve side.

 

[Shaun Witts]

Sounds like he's making the job far too difficult. An optocoupler relay connected to the courtesy light circuit that switches a clean 12v for the bonnet light is all that's required. This will negate the issue of the PWM dimming and the fact that the courtesy circuit is switched on the -ve side.

I was thinking of tapping into my fog lights (which are my welcome lights). If I then want the LEDs illuminated with the ignition on, I’ll try a diode to prevent my fogs being affected at that point. But if that proves untenable for whatever reason, I think I‘ll be happy enough with them just working from the welcome lights. But that’s a good idea to use an optocoupler relay…

 

[moomin-j]

Sounds like he's making the job far too difficult. An optocoupler relay connected to the courtesy light circuit that switches a clean 12v for the bonnet light is all that's required. This will negate the issue of the PWM dimming and the fact that the courtesy circuit is switched on the -ve side.

I had to Google "What is an optocoupler relay" and I still don't really know or understand...



That is the reason me & van electrics don't play together!!

Mr @Deaky is a legend when it comes to this electrical voodoo trickery stuff, but I am most certainly not.
On a plus side - I may be thick, but I can lift heavy things

 

[Drew007]

Would anybody in the know be able to tell me if the way in this video would work for the above please? As the optocoupler route sounds baffling!
Best to skip to around the 12min mark!
Many thanks in advance
Kind regards,
Drew

 

[czmate1999]

Right, I'll buy some but who is going to fit them for me? any takers?

 

[JOG]

I could have done without that image in my head.

Obviously too close then!

 

[JOG]

It’s a bit like getting a sack, back and crack job, feels like a waste of money as you don’t benefit.

Think of how much less bog roll you’ll use!

 

[DXX]

Think of how much less bog roll you’ll use!

Great minds think alike.

 

[True Romance]

For those that have fitted have you attached to the bonnet or around the lights/grill?

 

[Jonesy68]

I did mine to the grille and lights as the wiring seemed easier but I think the bonnet would be good. Just incase you ever need to remove the grille.

 

[moomin-j]

I did mine to the grille and lights as the wiring seemed easier but I think the bonnet would be good. Just incase you ever need to remove the grille.

Did it hold down ok with the supplied sticky stuff or did you have to find some "gorilla" type tape?

 

[Jonesy68]

It did surprisingly stick OK, I have left it with what it came with until I'm sure I'm keeping it on the grille.
I did buy a roll of decent double sided so will use that if/when I move it.

 

[Shaun Witts]

For those that have fitted have you attached to the bonnet or around the lights/grill?

I fitted mine to the bonnet. I thought that fitting it to the grill might make it too vulnerable. I also was looking for more of a “lume“ effect rather then direct sight of the LEDs.

 

[Jonesy68]

I fitted mine to the bonnet. I thought that fitting it to the grill might make it too vulnerable. I also was looking for more of a “lume“ effect rather then direct sight of the LEDs.

Have you got any pics of what the light looks like stuck to the bonnet?

 

[Shaun Witts]

This is all you see on a bright day:

I went for the blue option, and you can only really see it above the headlights here. But it is a lot more noticeable when it is a bit darker. I could, maybe, have positioned the strip closer to the leading edge of the bonnet, but I didn’t want it to be directly visible, so I am happy with this.
Note to self - must get some night time or at least dull day photos of it,

 

[moomin-j]

This is all you see on a bright day:
View attachment 191544
I went for the blue option, and you can only really see it above the headlights here. But it is a lot more noticeable when it is a bit darker. I could, maybe, have positioned the strip closer to the leading edge of the bonnet, but I didn’t want it to be directly visible, so I am happy with this.
Note to self - must get some night time or at least dull day photos of it,

@Shaun Witts - does it come on with ignition or side lights / headlights?

Any chance (pretty please) of photos re wiring routes & terminations?

 

[SAF1981]

Fitted mine yesterday. To the grill and piggy backed into engine fuse board.
Going to tap into my DRL strip lights so they come on with my welcome home lights

 

[Jonesy68]

Fitted mine yesterday. To the grill and piggy backed into engine fuse board.
Going to tap into my DRL strip lights so they come on with my welcome home lights

Let me know how that goes, so will they come on and stay on still?