Hey guys,
Ive been looking at some daytime LEDs for my TL as I think they look pretty cool on some of the new cars (like HSVs, Mercedeses and Audis etc). So I was just wondering, what is the legal brightness for these sort of lights in Australia? Also, I was looking at these ones on eBay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2x-6-LED-Daytime-Running-Light-Auto-Car-Blue-Day-Light-/120631771347?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1636c0d3
. What does everyone think of these? I've already asked the seller what the brightness of the lights are so I am just waiting on a response.
Thanks

To me, aftermarket DRL look cheap and nasty and a little try hard.

However, as for legality, I'm pretty sure they have to be wired the same as parkers and would need to switch off when the main headlights are on.
As for brightness, as long as they are adjusted so as not to blind on coming drivers I would think.

I personally like Audi DRL's all integrated into the headlights design, I like how on most models, they dim when the indicators are on and brighten back after.

I'd stick with the white LED versions rather than the blue - for legality purposes. Otherwise they look OK for a cheap set. How are you planning to wire them? As Grelise has mentioned, they should ideally switch on when the vehicle is turned on, and switch off when the headlights are turned on. You could run them from a simple switch - but then you'd have to be turning them on and off all of the time which is a pain (particularly if you want them to be running most times you are driving the car).

When you say that the blue is illegal, does that mean those blue globes you can get for your headlights are illegal too? Because if I was going to get the blue ones, I was going to get blue globes for my headlights to match but if they are illegal I might just see if I can find some white versions. And to answer your question 380Mitsu, I was planning on attaching them to a wire that comes on when either ACC or ON is selected on the ignition. As for switching off when the headlights are on, why is it that the new cars as I mentioned, the HSVs, audis etc can have them on even when the headlights are on too (not 100% on this but I thought I saw them on with their headlights on)? Thanks

Day time running need to be on when the motors is on and they must turn off when your park lights are on. Also have a maximum of 5w power rating.

I think the ones I'm looking at say they are 0.8w together or each but that is still heaps under 5w. So does everyone think I should go for those ones but in white or get something a bit better? I've measured the fog light slots on my bumper and they would be the perfect fit which is why I really want those ones. The rest in my eBay search seem to be too big.

Get them, but not in blue - coloured lights on your car will get you pulled over if you're caught with them on. Daytime running lights are exactly that - for daytime use only. Probably worth checking out the regulations around these - I think you'd be fine fitting them to the fog spots, but they need to be within a particular range height-wise (from the ground) and a certain distance apart for them to be within what is legally acceptable.

When you say that the blue is illegal, does that mean those blue globes you can get for your headlights are illegal too? Because if I was going to get the blue ones, I was going to get blue globes for my headlights to match but if they are illegal I might just see if I can find some white versions.
Yes, 'blue' headlights are illegal. Factory HID kits have a colour temperature of 4300k, which is white with an ever so slight yellow tinge. Headlights with with a very blue tinge (be it halogen or HID) stand out like the proverbial, so best not to go there unless you want to get defected.

The other thing is that blue DRL are likely to be exactly that: blue. At least with headlights, you get different shades eg whitish-blue. Blue lights are illegal anywhere on your car as they are used by emergency services, and again, will definitely get you in trouble. If you're going to install DRLs, keep them white.


And to answer your question 380Mitsu, I was planning on attaching them to a wire that comes on when either ACC or ON is selected on the ignition. As for switching off when the headlights are on, why is it that the new cars as I mentioned, the HSVs, audis etc can have them on even when the headlights are on too (not 100% on this but I thought I saw them on with their headlights on)? Thanks
I'm not sure why new cars do it, but again if you want to avoid trouble, make sure they switch off when the headlights come on.

I found the exact ones but in white! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2x-6-LED-Daytime-Running-Light-Car-White-Fog-Drive-Lamp-/130546853991?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e6532e867
I am really thinking of buying these ones but I will have to think of a wiring system.

I was told they were illegal, if it were not factory option. And yes, the blue ones are definitely illegal. In SA that is.

I asked a cop. wheather it is credible or not, i dont know.

As Grelise has mentioned, they should ideally switch on when the vehicle is turned on, and switch off when the headlights are turned on. You could run them from a simple switch - but then you'd have to be turning them on and off all of the time which is a pain (particularly if you want them to be running most times you are driving the car).

Easy wire up a normally closed relay with the switched power coming from an ignition power wire. And then the relay trigger wired into the head light/Parker power.
So turn key to on position drl comes on, turn head lights on and drl comes off

I went to the car accessory markets yesterday in Bangkok and saw stalls and stalls of this find of stuff for only a buck or two each. Different sizes and everything, the choice was that over whelming that I didn't buy anything. :s

Easy wire up a normally closed relay with the switched power coming from an ignition power wire. And then the relay trigger wired into the head light/Parker power.
So turn key to on position drl comes on, turn head lights on and drl comes off

Any chance of a circuit diagram? Would it be something like this using a normal 5 pin relay:

Ignition wire - Power in (30)
Ground - Earth (85)
Parker wire - Switch pin (86)
DRLs - Power out (87)

(Note that I am a complete noob with this stuff)

A quick sketch. Note that's it's simply a representation. So you would need to run a separate relays for powering the drl
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/lowridermagna/7f4fb4a7.jpg

More detailed diagram
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/lowridermagna/5ee3ba1d.jpg

If I was made of money, I would get the philips DRL kit, it comes complete.
The 4's or the 8's, real drl's, bright and with auto off when using parkers, and 'e' approved.
http://www.invisionsales.com/lighting/philips/drl

The only thing is guys, in hazy conditions I would still want too have them on with the headlights. So could there be a switch in that circuit that turns the DRLs back on with the headlights if I wanted to?