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Re: Daytime Running lights - The facts



In article <3np0qr$hmq$1@garnet.msen.com> Mike Pelletier <mike.pelletier@ntt.com> writes:
>From: Mike Pelletier <mike.pelletier@ntt.com>
>Subject: Re: Daytime Running lights - The facts
>Date: 27 Apr 1995 17:03:23 -0400

>In article <Paul.R.Wallen.24.2F9FF248@tek.com>,
>        Paul R. Wallen <Paul.R.Wallen@tek.com> wrote:
>>In article <26APR199519510404@vms1.tamu.edu> msw5513@vms1.tamu.edu
>         (Gumby) writes:
>>
>>>All the milliseconds add up.  Given the added warning, a few deaths may be
>>>avoided.
>>
>>I have a simpler solution.  Why not go back to simple, common sense driving 
>>habits, and allow a reasonable distance between you and the car in front??

>Because, as I've learned from observation over the last several years, 
>one should never overestimate the intelligence of America's general 
>population.  :-)

>By the way, does anyone know of a way to refit a car with daytime running 
>lights?  I'd like to have the feature on my '88 Mercury Sable (116,000 
>miles).  I've checked with my dealer, and even a Canadian dealer, but no 
>dice there...

>           -Mike Pelletier.


I can think of three ways

1) turn on the low beams

2) find a circut that is fused for 20 amps and is only on when the ignition 
is on and run a wire from that to the wire for the low beams.  Put a 10 amp 
diode in series with the new wire and that will drop the voltage 0.7 volts and 
will make the lights a bit dimmer so they don't wear out as fast.  A second 
diode in series will drop it another 0.7 volts.  This will also keep the 
lights from pumping power backward, so to speak, into the circut you have 
tapped.  Depending on what the circut is for and where you tapped in you could 
, without the diode, wind up rolling down your windows when you turn your 
headlights on.  If you put the diode in backwards it won't let any current 
thru and DRLs won't work - if that's the case just turn the diode around.

3) This is really the right way - use a relay that is controlled by a circut 
that is only on when the ignition is on and then have the relay power the low 
beams.  This will properly isolate the circuts.  You'll still need the 
diode(s) if you want reduced output on the DRLs.