The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay daytime running lights

I was thinking of wiring my 12 volt headlights ( when I get that far) in series to make them dimmer for daytime use then switch to parallel for evening lights... any advice?

You’re working on what?🛠

Seems complicated since all you have to do is turn on the lights while driving. However, there are some LED headlights available with DRLs built in. Might be an option...

Ok, so you can understand, I have a honda crv and I like the way the headlights are dimmed as daylight running lights. return to headlights at dusk, or can be turned off if I wish... I don't want to run full headlights in the daytime...or add extra stuff on the front of the pickup, so it is a switching arrangement...

What are you working on?

Apparently Beaver Bob doesn’t want us to know what he’s working on. Maybe it’s not in compliance with the site rules? Come on man open up and let us in! 🛠

sorry guys, its a 37 p/u, will be running sans fenders and want the front uncomplicated.

Thanks Bob. Can’t help with your idea but those are cool trucks. 🛠

I run a pair of Unity fog lights with amber bulbs on my '50, and I turn those on to use as DRLs. I like using them because the tail lights are still off, so there is plenty of contrast between the completely 'dark' tail light lenses and the illuminated brake lights. That's the idea, anyway. Not sure if something similar will fit your uncomplicated front end theme- If I wasn't using the fogs, I'd probably just run the headlights. I'm not sure why they'd need to be dimmer in the daytime, since regular headlights don't seem too bright in the daytime anyway.

Should be doable with another switch, or relay. Just a matter of figuring out how to set is up so the headlights are connected in series, then bring in another wire in between them to connect them to ground to make it a parallel connection to go full bright. Or, leave them connected in parallel and switch them to series.

thanks Fire Truck, that is the info I'm looking for..Beav

It will be much easier to do if you draw a wiring diagram first, rather than just diving into it.

Agreed, a wiring diagram and a switch with correct poles that will fit the dash is what I'm looking for..

You will probably need a relay with normally open, and normally closed contacts, so with one switch you can switch between the 2 circuits. Might be able to even do it just operating the relay and normally open contacts when the headlights are on, and with the headlights off the daytime lights could be set up to be on with the ignition switch, and normally closed relay contacts. Just try to find the best option on paper.

You could make it even easier. Purchase the euro style lights for your truck. They make the 7” headlight style with LED blinkers around the bulb. You could make the LED your running light and use the bulb normal.

Just a thought.

Chris

Crazy Talk!

(before you are offended, see the my earlier post in this thread)

After drawing it out myself, it could be done, but you would need to understand the circuit for it to be easy. But, basically you need a 3-pole relay with 2 normally open contacts, and 1 normally closed contact. The headlights could then be connected in series from an ignition power source with a normally closed contact in the series wire between the 2 lights, that would have power feed into the first light through the N.C .contacts with the relay off from the ignition circuit. With the relay on, from the headlight on circuit, then the N.C. contact would open up, and one NO contact would close the ground wire off of the first light, and the second NO contact would close the positive wire feeding the second light making a parallel connection. It's not as bad as it sounds, but you want to really have daytime lights using the original headlights for it to work. I would probably just find some bright LED parking light bulbs, and run those instead, and not a big deal if the tails are on.

I thought since I brought it up I would post a picture of the circuit in a Ladder diagram, which I find easy to understand. From the ignition switch power it would probably need another relay to carry the lighting current though.

http://oi66.tinypic.com/i59l5e.jpg

Nicely done!

The trick on putting the headlights in series for DRL's is genius. They operate at half voltage (and ~1/2 brightness).

Thank you Fire truck.. this is perfect, I printed it and added it to my stovebolt folder.. I have a couple of options now.. your wiring diagram or the euro headlamps with the running lights in them... I like both options.. you have been very helpful.. Beav

my bad gord! that is exactly what I was thinking! I have a pair at home that I may sell in the future.

Chris