LED Headlamps with DRL Recommendations

[Scotty72]

Thinking of changing my 4" Dominators to 5 3/4" LED Headlamps with built in DRL's/Indicators. I tend to put my headlamps on during daylight hours for greater visibilty

to other road users so upgrading to something with DRL's. Would prefer something with built in Indicators as well so I can remove the pods which are mounted to the nosecone.

 

Show me what you have fitted!

 

Cheers

 

 

[jonjh1964]

Current DRL, Indicator, High and Main beam - needs a controller for side lights

 

 

[Si.Dalziel]

2 hours ago, Scotty72 said:

Thinking of changing my 4" Dominators to 5 3/4" LED Headlamps with built in DRL's/Indicators. I tend to put my headlamps on during daylight hours for greater visibilty

to other road users so upgrading to something with DRL's. Would prefer something with built in Indicators as well so I can remove the pods which are mounted to the nosecone.

 

Show me what you have fitted!

 

Cheers

 

 

I got a set from furore ltd but they seem to be out of them now.

 

Can’t recommend them enough.

 

 

Need a bit of work to get them working fully but well worth it.

 

[CarbonWest - Chris Broster - Bristol & Bath AO]

1 hour ago, Si.Dalziel said:

Need a bit of work to get them working fully but well worth it.

Hi Si,

I'm just wiring mine in now...any chance you could post a picture of your wiring connections and or sketch of wiring diagram?

 

Cheers

 

Chris

[Si.Dalziel]

14 minutes ago, Chris Broster - Bristol & Bath AO said:

Hi Si,

I'm just wiring mine in now...any chance you could post a picture of your wiring connections and or sketch of wiring diagram?

 

Cheers

 

Chris

Chris,

 

page 63 of my build diary has a lot of info.

 

My wiring was already bespoke so it may not work for you. If you let me know how you want it to work and what setup you have switches wise I can sort something out. Also check out @Rich201060’s build diary as he also fitted them with a much simpler setup.

 

[CarbonWest - Chris Broster - Bristol & Bath AO]

Thanks Si, very useful! Let's see if my old 2009 harness can take the upgrade!

 

[Si.Dalziel]

1 hour ago, Chris Broster - Bristol & Bath AO said:

Thanks Si, very useful! Let's see if my old 2009 harness can take the upgrade!

 

Your hazard switch is going to be the biggest headache. The standard switch makes life easier. 
 

 

[BugMan]

Great upgrade, just be carful on how you chose to wire/control the DRL bit.

Most if not all DRL controllers are S*** as great come from China, and have some odd ideas.

 

The DRL has to dim the LEDs and there is a legal dit on the DVLA sight you might want to check.

 

[Storvite]

20 hours ago, jonjh1964 said:

Current DRL, Indicator, High and Main beam - needs a controller for side lights

 

 

Could you please send a link to the controller 

 

many thanks

 

stuart

[Rhett Turner - Black Country AO]

I have not got indicators in mine, left the originals.

I'd allready got DRLs fitted so needed to make the DRLs in the LED lamps work as side lights so I've used a couple of these one wired for each unit in the headlight bowl. 

I also use the same controller for the previously fitted DRLs set to turn the DRLs on with the ignition and then dim the DRLs when the headlamps are turned on.

[Chester]

This is the controller I fitted nearly 2 years ago - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123325907694

 

One thing to be aware of is that most controllers work on voltage detection. When they detect something like 13V they will switch the DRLs on. Which is fine for when you start the car - they DRLs come on automatically.

 

The problem arises if you use a battery conditioner. You will find that your DRLs will come on and light up the garage for you.

 

The DRL controller I have reduces the brightness of the DRLs when you switch you side/head lights on which I understand is the MOT requirement.

[jonjh1964]

4 hours ago, Storvite said:

Could you please send a link to the controller 

 

many thanks

 

stuart

Stuart,

This type of thing DRL Controller, others are available but this one has separate n/s and o/s DRL feeds so is easier to wire into the Westfield loom side lights. Without the controller the headlights will automatically switch off the DRL when the main/high beam is switched on, the controller allows for the DRLs to switch on automatically with the ignition and then go to 1/2 brightness when the side lights are switch on (you need to wire the control wire to side lights on the Westfield loom rather than main/high beam).  I haven't used the controller and have wired the DRL to the side lights so I have to switch them on and don't have the 1/2 power side light capability, so far my MOT tester has been happy that the DRL isn't too bright for a side light.

Jon

 

 

[Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO]

FYI - DRL's are only in MOT for vehicles first used from 1st March 2018, otherwise not testable.

 

Also a non dimming DRL used as a position lamp is not an issue in itself (no fail) but as the intensity is not to specification then a pass with a minor defect may be used (manual ref. 4.2.3a(i)).

[Storvite]

8 hours ago, jonjh1964 said:

Stuart,

This type of thing DRL Controller, others are available but this one has separate n/s and o/s DRL feeds so is easier to wire into the Westfield loom side lights. Without the controller the headlights will automatically switch off the DRL when the main/high beam is switched on, the controller allows for the DRLs to switch on automatically with the ignition and then go to 1/2 brightness when the side lights are switch on (you need to wire the control wire to side lights on the Westfield loom rather than main/high beam).  I haven't used the controller and have wired the DRL to the side lights so I have to switch them on and don't have the 1/2 power side light capability, so far my MOT tester has been happy that the DRL isn't too bright for a side light.

Jon

 

 

Thank you so much