DRLs - Daytime Running Lamps. If you ask someone what they think about DRLs, you will get one of three responses: they either Love them, or they Hate them, or they never pay any attention to them and could care less. People who fall into the Love/Hate categories can get pretty worked up, often defending their respective opinions with almost "religious zeal". I don't want to start any virtual fist fights here, so please (you DRL Haters out there) cut me a little slack. If the idea of adding a DRL function to your classic car appeals to you, read on - if it does not, stop reading now. I totally respect your right to do whatever YOU want to YOUR car - please extend the same courtesy to me. Thank you. Motivation. While driving around town, I watch the oncoming traffic, and I observe that the cars/trucks with factory DRLs seem (to me) to be a little more "noticeable". They stand out better from the background, they catch my eye a little better in my mirrors, etc. It is not a BIG difference, mind you, but still it is (in MY opinion) a positive difference. So I ask myself "Is it possible to add this function to my 1970 Skylark?". A little research on Google turns up the answer - "Yes" it is possible, because someone at GM had this same idea back in the early 90's. They produced a add-on module (AC Delco part # 12370445) that serves this exact purpose. These modules are still available (new) from various sources - I purchased mine from a eBay vendor for about $37.00 (including shipping). http://www.ebay.com/itm/12370445-CHEVY-PICKUP-AUTO-DAYTIME-RUNNING-LIGHT-MODULE-/360184054988?hash=item53dca484cc&item=360184054988&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_618wt_1150 My purchase arrived quickly, in perfect condition, just as shown in the ad photo (Disclaimer: I am not the eBay seller, and I have no financial interest in this ad) The module is about 3" by 2" by 1.25", with 6 connecting wires (about 36" long). It appears to be very well built - the electronics are securely potted in a heavy duty cast aluminum housing with cooling ribs. The instructions are clear and fairly simple. The connecting wires are supposedly color coded to match standard GM wiring harness colors - on my car they were all correct. The wires are BLACK (ground), RED (in-line fused, constant + 12 volt), PINK (+ 12 volt only when ignition switch is in "ON" position), TAN (supplies power to existing low beam headlamp circuit during DRL mode), BROWN (disable signal to module when headlamp switch is manually activated), and WHITE (disable signal to module when parking brake is activated). You can mount the device in the engine compartment or under the dash - I put mine in the engine compartment because I like the way it looks. This module would probably work for almost any classic car - the wire colors wouldn't necessarily match, but you could easily locate the proper connecting points using a simple 12 volt test light. Results. It works perfectly - just like factory installed DRLs. You start the engine; after about 15 seconds the DRLs come on automatically. They look just like the normal low beam headlights, but none of the other lights (parking lights, side markers, instrument lights, etc) are on. The instruction sheet says the lights come on at "reduced intensity", but truthfully I can't see any difference in brightness between the DRLs and normal low beams. Perhaps it is because my normal low beams operate off the original 42 year old wiring harness, which probably doesn't supply full battery voltage. I connected the DRL module directly to my battery, so it is always receiving full battery voltage. Hence, the "reduced intensity" DRLs might end up being as bright (or brighter) than the "normal intensity" low beams. Anyway, they are plenty bright, but no more annoying to other drivers than the normal low beam headlights would be. When DRLs are on, if you apply the parking brake, they go off. If DRLs are on and you manually turn on your headlights (or parking lights), the DRLs go off and lights operate normally. Pretty cool! I could be wrong, but I think having the DRLs adds a tiny margin of safety to everyday driving. If it helps prevent just one other car from pulling out in front of me, or turning across my lane, or otherwise coming into contact with my sweet old Skylark, then I believe it is money well spent. Your opinion may differ - once again, I respect that. Thanks for reading my longish (but hopefully informative) post. Pics below show module installed in my car:
Cool - I like that! I did mine using LEDs under the bumper hooked to a relay that kicks in when the ignition is on. I notice that many more people look at me when I am driving than did before. - Bill
They add a huge margin both on the highway & city driving. Think I might order one for myself. Thanks for sharing.
I want to do this using an amber bulb (4157na) like on a Corvette. So the parking lamp will be bright amber in the daytime. I think that would be really cool. I just bought LED tailights so i need something cool for the front.
I just reach down and pull the headlight knob 1 click...presto, drl's They do add a huge safety margin.
Thats what I do on the Riviera - those huge big parking lamps in the front bumper serve as DRLs !! :TU: Just gotta remember to turn em off, when yah gets where your at. :laugh:
This will help ya out. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-H...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c62fcd843
http://www.hamsarstore.com/#!__store/daytime-running-lights These will come on when the the car is running VIA a signal wire wrapped around a plug wire. The also have a turn off signal wire that could be used if you want to use the high amber as your DRL's
Could always just bypass the headlight switch and run the power directly to a "hot in run" source. Then the headlights would be on whenever the car was running and would be off when the car is off. Of course then you wouldn't be able to light things up when the car is turned off, which may be a problem for folks like me that use headlights as work lamps.
In theory, this is good and easy... however, I can't tell you how many times my battery drained because I forgot about it when I parked. I now have an annoying buzzer, but I like the DRL option better because it's 'automated' and I won't forget to be a little safer. :TU: Jeff ~
