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[dave.h]

I have been wondering about fitting the Omega with some LED DRL as they do help cars to be seen.

On looking I can get the LED tube and put them into the headlamps and wire them in (they only have a live/ground) but I would need to ensure that they dimmed or turned off when the headlights were switched on.  It would be nice to make this happen without using a switch, but not really sure how to do it.  When I fitted a set to my Kuga, there was a live (ACC) a -ve (to the battery) and another +ve wire that connected to the +ve on the dip bulb so maybe that's the way.

Can anyone advise how this could be done?

Cheers

[Doctor Gollum]

Drl wiring is included in the Haynes diagrams for Sweden cars.

If you're that bothered turn the headlights on

[biggriffin]

Drl wiring is included in the Haynes diagrams for Sweden cars.

If you're that bothered turn the headlights on

 

[dave.h]

Drl wiring is included in the Haynes diagrams for Sweden cars.

If you're that bothered turn the headlights on

Found a couple of LED 501 bulbs in my toolbox this morning so popped them in and will use sidelights......free and no wiring needed!

[deviator]

Every time I see aftermarket DRL's to fitted to a car that didn't come with them, I cringe. I think they look awful. They are never in a good place, look cheap and tacky and never lined up nice and straight. Half of the time it looks like someone has used the Christmas tree light methods of installation.

Sorry. Not a dig, just my opinion.

[Doctor Gollum]

Every time I see aftermarket DRL's to fitted to a car that didn't come with them, I cringe. I think they look awful. They are never in a good place, look cheap and tacky and never lined up nice and straight. Half of the time it looks like someone has used the Christmas tree light methods of installation.

Sorry. Not a dig, just my opinion.

Same could be said of some of the factory ones too... Pre 2011 Mercs for one 

[STEMO]

Mk1 captur didn't have them at first, then Renault decided to put a little strip of three lights 'on the front of the car....anywhere will do'. Looks really diy. Mk2 is part of the cluster.

[Doctor Gollum]

They probably got them on special from Auchan...

[Andy B]

....
Same could be said of some of the factory ones too... Pre 2011 Mercs for one 

and facelift 451 Fortwo Smarts

sorry about the size of the picture 

[dave.h]

Every time I see aftermarket DRL's to fitted to a car that didn't come with them, I cringe. I think they look awful. They are never in a good place, look cheap and tacky and never lined up nice and straight. Half of the time it looks like someone has used the Christmas tree light methods of installation.

Sorry. Not a dig, just my opinion.

I didn't take it as a dig, you are perfectly entitled to think what you like and the idea of joining this forum for me was to have such debates about things then make a considered decision!

I do agree with you though as a lot of them look tacky and look like they've just been thrown at the front of the car and been wired in where they landed.

My idea was to get a LED Tube and fit it inside the headlamp as accurately as possible so they looked part of the car.  I managed this with an old MGZT I had with angel eye type lights (they came with all the correct wires and a diagram) and I put them inside the headlamp around the projector lens and they looked really good.

I think for now though, I will use the advice given by the wise Doctor Gollum!

[Nick W]

Mk1 captur didn't have them at first, then Renault decided to put a little strip of three lights 'on the front of the car....anywhere will do'. Looks really diy. Mk2 is part of the cluster.

that is the French way:


start out with good intentions
do about half the job
go to lunch
have a second bottle of wine
do the rest of the job in half the time it should take so you can


knock off early

[annihilator]

Here are my efforts

[ronnyd]

Look pretty good. 

[Andy B]

There was someone in the States that did a good job of DRLs using a row of leds inside the headlight ..... can't find any pictures though

[Entwood]

Just a quick thought to those fitting DIY DRL's .... have you ensured they either dim when headlights are switched on or go off at that point

AFAIK it is illegal for them to remain on at full brightness  (as dangerous due to blinding others)...

[Andy B]

Just a quick thought to those fitting DIY DRL's .... have you ensured they either dim when headlights are switched on or go off at that point

AFAIK it is illegal for them to remain on at full brightness  (as dangerous due to blinding others)...

You've not really read the original question have Nige? 

[annihilator]

illegal for them to remain on at full brightness

Plenty of options on ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202673860226

[dave the builder]

"You only need to inspect daytime running lamps (DRLs) if they’re fitted as original equipment to vehicles first used on or after 1 March 2018."
from the MOT manual
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment#section-4-1-4

Though appropriate switching is sensible if you do retro fit
personally ,I don't see the point of them 

[Entwood]

Just a quick thought to those fitting DIY DRL's .... have you ensured they either dim when headlights are switched on or go off at that point

AFAIK it is illegal for them to remain on at full brightness  (as dangerous due to blinding others)...

You've not really read the original question have Nige? 

Yup I had .. OP knows the law/courtesy to others/common sense ... others posting after with their ideas may not ....

[Andy B]

.......
personally ,I don't see the point of them 

Likewise ....

my Smart has them as standard but I always drive with my lights on
My ML has them too (though they have the option to be turned off) but if you can't see an ML ..... 

[Andy B]

....
  (as dangerous due to blinding others)...

And then there are the road users that are too stupid to turn their lights on when it's dark which means their fully lit DRLs are blindingly bright! 

[Entwood]

....
  (as dangerous due to blinding others)...

And then there are the road users that are too stupid to turn their lights on when it's dark which means their fully lit DRLs are blindingly bright! 

.... and being so stupid don't realise that on most vehicles it means they have no lights at the rear at all ....

[annihilator]

Pipe and slippers brigade in fine voice on this post 

[Doctor Gollum]

....
  (as dangerous due to blinding others)...

And then there are the road users that are too stupid to turn their lights on when it's dark which means their fully lit DRLs are blindingly bright! 

.... and being so stupid don't realise that on most vehicles it means they have no lights at the rear at all ....

This does add a certain je ne sais quoi to motorway driving in poor weather, although you know that they'll be sat in lane 2, so you can pre-empt them to a degree

[amba]

I fitted a set of Phillips DRL lights around 2 years ago as I was fed up with other cars just pulling out or clearly making little attempt to check for other cars before doing so.

I was concerned they would look stupid or even make the front of the car look unbalanced given the low fog lights on the front.The set I bought werent cheap but I anted something that worked properly and was fit for purpose.These are wired from a main unit that is connected into the side light buld wiring and when the ignition is turned on and car started they are illuminated.When you turn either side or full lights on they are extinguished so comply with the law as it stands.

The car has passed 2 MOT,s since being fitted with no comments from tester.My own view is they are a good idea and do give a very clear light even in bright sunshine and make the car much more visible for other road users without it looking like a christmas tree or a pimped up limo.

TBH I am glad that I fitted them and am sure they have gone a long way to making my presence on the road better so surely that is the purpose of them.As said they were far from cheap but have worked without fault for in excess of 2 years.

Pity I cant post pictures or I would be happy to do so ,but my IT skills dont extend to that 

[Doctor Gollum]

As the problem is caused by people pull out without looking... How an earth does fitting more lights solve anything

[dave the builder]

Indeed , if you can't see 2 ton of steel the size of a ....erm ...... car  without added fairy lights ,you probably shouldn't be driving

[amba]

Surprisingly the added “Fairy Lights” does seem to make other road users notice more .As said just MHO

[STEMO]

Most of them do notice, but pull out anyway. Happened to me this morning, a white transit saw me coming but pulled out in front of me. I floored it straight past him and pulled in sharpish with smoke coming out of my ears. The temptation to slam on was overwhelming, but I noticed two large workmen sitting in the front so immediately calmed down. 

[dave the builder]

Surprisingly the added “Fairy Lights” does seem to make other road users notice more .As said just MHO

If it works for you ,and avoids accidents with blind people fairy nuff 

some Battenburg or reflective police livery chevrons I do notice   

and the flashing blue lights 

[Doctor Gollum]

Surprisingly the added “Fairy Lights” does seem to make other road users notice more .As said just MHO

In a wtf is that kind of way

[Andy B]

Most of them do notice, but pull out anyway.  .....

Try driving a Smart then ....  I think they all must think that because it's small, it'll be slow!

[Rangie]

Can't see the point , everyone smirked at Volvo years ago when the  started the daytime lights, if someone is that bad at driving having your lights on will make sod all difference, the idiots will still collide with you.

[Nick W]

Can't see the point , everyone smirked at Volvo years ago when the  started the daytime lights, if someone is that bad at driving having your lights on will make sod all difference, the idiots will still collide with you.

that was for all cars sold in Sweden, Volvo just kept it for all their cars. It does make some sense given the weather/seasonal conditions in Scandinavia, but the real reason for legislating DRLs is that it is easier than making most of the general public think about their driving. For most of them the last time they did that was when the examiner said "park outside the test-centre"

[STEMO]

Most of them do notice, but pull out anyway.  .....

Try driving a Smart then ....  I think they all must think that because it's small, it'll be slow!

Not just the smart. A Fiat 500 Brabus stood on my arse at about 70 last week, waiting for a chance to overtake. When the chance came, it went past like a very fast Fiat 500.

[Andy B]

... ....
Not just the smart. A Fiat 500 Brabus stood on my arse at about 70 last week, waiting for a chance to overtake. When the chance came, it went past like a very fast Fiat 500.

That's when your left foot touches the brake pedal enough top put the brake lights on ..... 

[Broomies Mate]

Not just the smart. A Fiat 500 Brabus stood on my arse at about 70 last week, waiting for a chance to overtake. When the chance came, it went past like a very fast Fiat 500.

Abarth Steve, Abarth.

Some of which had 160BHP from the 'factory'..... not too shabby for a shoebox with wheels.

[STEMO]

Not just the smart. A Fiat 500 Brabus stood on my arse at about 70 last week, waiting for a chance to overtake. When the chance came, it went past like a very fast Fiat 500.

Abarth Steve, Abarth.

Some of which had 160BHP from the 'factory'..... not too shabby for a shoebox with wheels.

Yes, that's the one Don't know where I got brabus from.

[Andy B]

Not just the smart. A Fiat 500 Brabus stood on my arse at about 70 last week, waiting for a chance to overtake. When the chance came, it went past like a very fast Fiat 500.

Abarth Steve, Abarth.

Some of which had 160BHP from the 'factory'..... not too shabby for a shoebox with wheels.

Yes, that's the one Don't know where I got brabus from.

You were obviously thinking of the superior Go-faster Smarts 

[STEMO]

Not just the smart. A Fiat 500 Brabus stood on my arse at about 70 last week, waiting for a chance to overtake. When the chance came, it went past like a very fast Fiat 500.

Abarth Steve, Abarth.

Some of which had 160BHP from the 'factory'..... not too shabby for a shoebox with wheels.

Yes, that's the one Don't know where I got brabus from.

You were obviously thinking of the superior Go-faster Smarts 

Probably, Andy, one of them would have made mincemeat of me too. 

[Jan Suhr]

Check out this, I have done it on both of my cars with LED's in the fog lights.

This way they turn on when ignition is on and goes off when parking light is on. Then they works as they do from factory, you can turn the fog lights on again when parking light is on.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=142154.msg1850836#msg1850836

[annihilator]

Found another

[dave.h]

Well, I got the parts and fitted the DRL's inside the headlights - I can't add a picture but they look not too shabby, overall, quite pleased!

They dim when the side and headlights are switched on so all good.

[STEMO]

One of mine is out, it will be sorted at the next service in October. 

[TheBoy]

I've purposely not commented on this thread thus far, as some less regular members may not be used to my somewhat forthright views and warped sense of humour.

But now is the time to state that DRLs are the work of Satan. A bloody stupid idea brought about by stupid people in power who think they can legislate against stupidity. Well, DRLs show the result of such stupidity.  Every oppswit around here drives around with not headlights/taillights on, because they don't need to because they have DRLs on their chivvied up Citroen, innit.

So the thought of retro fitting them? WTF?


So, in summary to the original post, its fair to say I am against them, both factory fit and the really crap looking retrofits.

[Andy B]

C'mon Jamie .... don't sit on the fence! 

[Doctor Gollum]

So you're a bit unsure then...

[Nick W]

I've purposely not commented on this thread thus far, as some less regular members may not be used to my somewhat forthright views and warped sense of humour.

But now is the time to state that DRLs are the work of Satan. A bloody stupid idea brought about by stupid people in power who think they can legislate against stupidity. Well, DRLs show the result of such stupidity.  Every oppswit around here drives around with not headlights/taillights on, because they don't need to because they have DRLs on their chivvied up Citroen, innit.

So the thought of retro fitting them? WTF?


So, in summary to the original post, its fair to say I am against them, both factory fit and the really crap looking retrofits.

can we add foglights(both ends) to the list? Fronts are utterly pointless, and rears are needed so rarely that we would all be better off without them.


Properly adjusted headlights with correct(and correctly fitted) bulbs would be nice too

[BazaJT]

The DRLs on my V70 use the dipped beam headlights for the front and all the rear lighting[including number plate lights are also lit.The only thing I don't get in this mode are the little side lights and any backlighting for the dash/radio/heater controls.I can turn the DRLs off using a tiny screw in the corner of the light switch housing but I cba so they're always on.My 960 also uses the same system but a previous owner has used the little screw to turn them off and I cba to turn them on again.

[STEMO]

I've purposely not commented on this thread thus far, as some less regular members may not be used to my somewhat forthright views and warped sense of humour.

But now is the time to state that DRLs are the work of Satan. A bloody stupid idea brought about by stupid people in power who think they can legislate against stupidity. Well, DRLs show the result of such stupidity.  Every oppswit around here drives around with not headlights/taillights on, because they don't need to because they have DRLs on their chivvied up Citroen, innit.

So the thought of retro fitting them? WTF?


So, in summary to the original post, its fair to say I am against them, both factory fit and the really crap looking retrofits.

I agree, they're rubbish. They hardly light up the road ahead at all when it gets dark. 

[ronnyd]

Mmmm, wonder if Demonic Cummings could see them.

[dave.h]

I've purposely not commented on this thread thus far, as some less regular members may not be used to my somewhat forthright views and warped sense of humour.

But now is the time to state that DRLs are the work of Satan. A bloody stupid idea brought about by stupid people in power who think they can legislate against stupidity. Well, DRLs show the result of such stupidity.  Every oppswit around here drives around with not headlights/taillights on, because they don't need to because they have DRLs on their chivvied up Citroen, innit.

So the thought of retro fitting them? WTF?

So, in summary to the original post, its fair to say I am against them, both factory fit and the really crap looking retrofits.

Well, as it's my car and I feel they are a safety feature, I made the call.  That doesn't mean your opinion doesn't count - it very much does.  I made the post to get views, opinions, call them what you will and I am grateful for them all.

You mentioned those that run around at night with just DRL lit and that reminded me of a trip up the M6 Toll at the dead of night and someone was doing exactly that at 01:30 in pitch darkness.

I'm now starting to regret the decision to have them fitted as all you say makes a lot of sense!

[omegod]

Don't listen Dave they are all miserable old bullies 

[dave.h]

Don't listen Dave they are all miserable old bullies 

You're the only one that's seen them!

They are certainly causing some debate and that's a good thing :-)

[TheBoy]

it's my car

Exactly, and we're (usually!) a free country, and you're a grown up to do as you like

and I feel they are a safety feature

Just when I was starting to agree with you.... 

[dave.h]

it's my car

Exactly, and we're (usually!) a free country, and you're a grown up to do as you like

and I feel they are a safety feature

Just when I was starting to agree with you.... 

Ha ha - dropped myself right in it there ; D