Fitting DRL's vs NCT.

CiniO

I was thinking about getting set of DRL (daytime running lights) from ebay and fitting them to my car.
Something like that or similar: http://cgi.ebay.ie/2x-Daytime-Running-Lights-12-LED-DRL-12V-Crystal-White-/220669040211?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3360e65653

I want to plug them in, so whenever engine is running, and normall dipped headlights are off, DRL's are on automatically. Whenever I turn dipped headlights on, DRL's turn off automatically.

My only concers is if that is legal?
Will my car pass NCT with such a setup?

-Corkie-

I cant see them being an issue. Those ones dont look too bright though.

CiniO

-Corkie- wrote: »

I cant see them being an issue. Those ones dont look too bright though.

That's the first one I found (first click).
If I decide to get DRL, I'll probaby do some more search to find proper ones.
I just wanted to make sure if this is road legal.

-Corkie-

Well you are improving your car as regards road safety so they are perfectly lagal.

CiniO

-Corkie- wrote: »

Well you are improving your car as regards road safety so they are perfectly lagal.

By getting rid of worn bald tyres, and fitting brand new ones without E mark, I'm improving car as regards road safety as well, but it is not legal, and won't pass NCT.

So I'm just trying to find out, if there are any regulations in relation to fitting of DRLs.

Voodoomelon

I dont know about DRLs and the NCT, my angel eyes are inside the headlamps and I just disconnect them for the NCT incase they mess with the headlamp calibration test.

-Corkie-

CiniO wrote: »

So I'm just trying to find out, if there are any regulations in relation to fitting of DRLs.

Not that I know of. I suppose like the tyres get ones that are e marked..:)

GTE

CiniO wrote: »

By getting rid of worn bald tyres, and fitting brand new ones without E mark, I'm improving car as regards road safety as well, but it is not legal, and won't pass NCT.

So I'm just trying to find out, if there are any regulations in relation to fitting of DRLs.

In Halfords Ring Automotive sell two types of DRL that I can see.

Daytime styling lights - More the look then the real need for them
Daytime Running Lights - What we need.

I have had both on my car. All of them have the E mark.
I have been in contact with the RSA in the past and they have no problem with me fitting those lights to my car. I am quite sure the E mark was raised.

The ones I have on my car now are rather good. Quite bright, they actually light up a pitch black road in front of me for about a meter and a half. Not bright, dont get me wrong, but bright enough to light the road enough for me to pick out things in that distance.

They have a circuit built in which detects when the dipped beams come on (when you wire it in the required way) and once detected they dim down to more of a styling light but still more light at night makes you more visible.

A great addition to any car I say though as mentioned I wonder does light aim and calibration have a real impact.

coylemj

Why don't you just switch on dipped headlights during the day or better still, get your car modified so that the dipped headlights are always on when the ignition is on?

GTE

coylemj wrote: »

Why don't you just switch on dipped headlights during the day or better still, get your car modified so that the dipped headlights are always on when the ignition is on?

I believe this has been the case for at least VW's over in the USA or Canada. During research for fitting DRL's to my Golf I did come across provisions for a special DRL circuit in my headlamp switch which I found out was for use across the pond at the very least. This supplied a varying voltage depending on the selection of the headlight switch or simply activated a light when the dips were selected to be off.

Having said that the LED's used in good DRL systems give off a much sharper and directional light then dipped beams. Good DRLS do cut through the daylight a lot better then your standard bulbs. They can dazzle at night. I have noticed myself being slightly dazzled by some of the Audi DRL's in some circumstances. This is the reason that they need to be switched off or dimmed when the dipped beams come on, provided the driver puts the dips on at the correct time.

On a more arguable point in terms of how much it matters the DRL's use about 100 watts less then the standard halogen bulbs a lot of cars use according to the AA.

Zubeneschamali

coylemj wrote: »

Why don't you just switch on dipped headlights during the day

That's what I do now, but dipped headlights are 110W of power aimed at the road ahead and to my left.

DRLs don't need to waste so much power lighting up the ditch.

Yakuza

DRLs will be mandatory on new cars from next year, so I don't see why putting on your own a year early would be a problem.

OP, is your concern that it wouldn't be a factory-fitted setup?

CiniO

coylemj wrote: »

Why don't you just switch on dipped headlights during the day or better still, get your car modified so that the dipped headlights are always on when the ignition is on?

Few reasons.

1. Dipped headlight are 110W of power. In addition to it, there are side light, which include front, rear, number plate lighting, and dashboards light. All this is plenty of 5 to 10W bulbs. All these together gives almost 200W on power wasted. DRL usually are no more than 20 - 30W.

2. Bulbs for dipped headlight when used all the time like to go often. Especially H7 bulbs. That's some extra cost.

3. The reflecting part of the dipped headlight lamps, when used all the time, wear with time, and give less and less light.

CiniO

Yakuza wrote: »

DRLs will be mandatory on new cars from next year, so I don't see why putting on your own a year early would be a problem.

They are mandatory on any new model from February this year all over EU.
But it doesn't mean they have to be used.
They only have to be fitted.
Normally they turn on automatically when driving, but in countries like Ireland, where it's not obligatory to use them, there's nothing against anyone to go to garage, and turn them off permanently.

OP, is your concern that it wouldn't be a factory-fitted setup?

A bit. I was looking for some regulations which would describe the way they have to be fitted, but didn't find anything.

F.E. in Poland there are very precise rules how they have to be fitted. Exact minimum and maximum distances from ground, from car edges, and one from another are specified. They have to be plugged in in certain way, so they turn on automatically when engine is running, and turn off, whenever side light, or dipped headlights are on. As well they can't turn off, if you are flashing your headlights. And few other rules.
If you don't fit them by these rules, they are illegal, and car won't pass it's test.

That's why I was wondering if there are any rules like that in Ireland.

CiniO

I did some research, and found out few things.

1. There seems to be not any acts or regulations in connection to DRLs in Irish Law.
2. I assume they are legal on cars, becuase there is no regulation which would forbid to use any extra lights on your vehicle, unless these lights dazzle other drivers, or blink , etc. (all these described in articles 41 to 48 in here: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0189.html#zzsi189y1963a48)

3. There are European regulations which required all member states not to provide new vehicles with EC type approval if the vehicle is not fitted with DRLs from 7th February 2011 for cars, and from 7th August 2012 for other vehicles, like trucks or buses, etc. More details in here: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:257:0014:01:EN:HTML
That generally doesn't mean that no new vehicles without DRLs can be sold in EU. Only if a car manufacturer will develop a new model, and want's to gain EC type approval for it, which is needed prior to selling it, it need DRLs then. Models which were on sale befone above dates, can be still sold without DRLs, without any time limits.

4. I was wondering why the EU directive I linked above was not implemented in Irish Law, but I assume there is just no cars produced in Ireland, so there is as well no EU type approval in Ireland, so generally speaking no need for this directive.

5. There are certain technical requirement in connection to DRLs which can be found in EU directive here: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31997L0028:EN:HTML

6.19. Daytime running lamp (10)

6.19.1. Presence

Optional on motor vehicles. Prohibited on trailers.

6.19.2. Number

Two.

6.19.3. Arrangement

No special requirement.

6.19.4. Position

6.19.4.1. In width: that point on the apparent surface in the direction of the reference axis which is farthest from the vehicle's median longitudinal plane shall not be more than 400 mm from the extreme outer edge of the vehicle.

The distance between the inner edges of the apparent surfaces in the direction of the reference axes shall not be less than 600 mm.

This distance may be reduced to 400 mm where the overall width of the vehicle is less than 1,300 mm.

6.19.4.2. In height: above the ground not less than 250 mm nor more than 1,500 mm.

6.19.4.3. In length: at the front of the vehicle. This requirement shall be deemed to be satisfied if the light emitted does not cause discomfort to the driver either directly, or indirectly through the rear-view mirrors and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle.

6.19.5. Geometric visibility

Horizontal: outwards 20° and inwards 20°.

Vertical: upwards 10° and downwards 10°

6.19.6. Orientation

Towards the front.

6.19.7. Electrical connections

The daytime running lamp must be so connected that it cannot be on unless the rear position lamps are on at the same time. The daytime running lamp shall switch off automatically when the headlamps are switched on, except when the latter are used to give intermittent luminous warnings at short intervals.

6.19.8. Tell-tale

Optional.

AFAIK there was some ammendments, f.e. that DRL doens't need to be on together with rear sidelights, but I couldn't find it.

Generally these are EU directive requirements, but because they were not implemented into Irish law, they don't really apply in Ireland. That means that everyone can fit DRLs in a way he likes. And untill they are not blinking, or dazzling anyone, thay are legal, and OK for NCT.

6. I still don't know if someone really fit's DRLs onto Irish car not adhering to above regulations, even they are legal in Ireland, will they be legal if the car travels abroad, espeacially where using of DRLs is obligatory. I assume, thay if they were fitted againts above rules, in foreign country they might be not treated as DRLs but as something else, and by this driver might be done for driving without using DRLs. What do you think?