how to install drls in a civic

[j12piprius]

There's a 50 mile stretch here that requires lights on in the daytime. I prefer not having headlights on, and drls would suffice. I've been searching and haven't found anything definitive for a pre-2001 civic, plus the links on youtube look complicated. Can someone provide a reasonably easy way to connect them? Thanks

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

Can someone provide a reasonably easy way to connect them? Thanks

Modify your high beam wiring to run the 2 bulbs in series, if you still want working high beams, it will be more complicated

[j12piprius]

I'd like to have drl leds connected to the parking light circuit, but not have the brake lights come on too, unless that's the usual way. If so, then to replace the parking lights with leds too. Ideally, the drl leds would come on instead of the parking lights when the parking light lever is turned on.

Edit: that won't work, because the front parking lights are the turn signals too.

[2000mc]

there will be a park lamp circuit on your car. looks like your cars headlamps positive- side is switched, and the grounds are hard wired. so you'll be adding a relay to disconnect the first headlamps ground, and switch that to the second lamps positive circuit. another relay to supply power to the first headlamps positive side. then to control those relays, a switch to enable drls/ feed the first two relays mentioned. plus that switch would be fed by a relay that when powered on by the park lamp circuit turns off

...sounds clear as mud

and my first post wont work, i was thinking separate bulbs for high and low

[ecoTex]

Buy led fog lamps

[cbaber]

I second ecoTex's recommendation. Your bumper already has an OEM location to mount them. I guess the only issue is whether you want to switch them on or not manually. But as far as power consumption that is probably the best way to go.

[j12piprius]

Maybe a good location would be inside the parking light enclosure, as I'm planning to cover the bumper entirely. Yes, I want to switch them on and off manually.

Could I replace the parking lights with these, have the parking lights work as usual, and run a separate line to a switch to turn only the front parking lights on and off manually?

[2000mc]

fog lights seem like they would have the right affect, except this is being done for the legal requirements, and most places youre not supposed to run fogs w/o headlamps also on

edit: 08.I.05(2)
Some of these highways have mandatory daylight headlight
requirements to make your vehicle more visible to other traffi c.
You must turn your headlights on when driving through one of
these zones, regardless of the time of day.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/curriculum/Unit%208.pdf

so im guessing drls dont technically pass, its a matter of what the cops decide to enforce

[oldtamiyaphile]

Driving with LED fogs is probably illegal in fine weather.

I have a set of Phillips DRL8's. While not cheap, they're every bit as bright as late model Audi's etc and have glass lenses.

They came with a controller that turns them on when it detects ripple voltage (eg from a running engine). They dim and act as park lights when park or headlights are turned on. It's just three wires to connect. Mounting in most cars should be straight forward too.

The only downside is they turn off after 10sec of engine off, so potentially dangerous if you EOC.

I eventually wired them to the ACC circuit via fuse and relay, with a PWM controller so they still dim for park lights.

[j12piprius]

Thanks for those updates.

Lighted Parking Lamps: 24800. No vehicle shall be driven at any time with the parking lamps lighted except when the lamps are being used as turn signal lamps or when the headlamps are also lighted.

24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps. Never drive with just your parking or fog lights.

List of Violations: 24255. (b) Operation of infrared lighting system without use of headlights.

24252. (a) Lamps shall be equipped with bulbs of the correct voltage rating corresponding to the nominal voltage at the lamp socket ... [not] less than 85 percent of the design voltage of the bulb.

Thus the drls should be on or inside of the headlight enclosure, without blocking the headlights, not in the parking or fog light positions, should be white, and as close as possible to the headlight voltage.