i see few pages about DRL..but there was no DIY steps..or i couldnt find it..can some one tell me how to do it? with pic will be great. thanks
Honda-Tech Member
If you want to do it right, you need equipment. The DIY steps would involve trips to radioshack, and electrical experience. Basically, you want to drive the high beam bulbs with a 60% - 80% duty cycle 12V 12 ms (give or take) square wave when the ignition is on, yet still drive them fully with the highbeams, and turn off the running lights with the low beams. Thats the proper way to do DRL, with reduced brightness high beams. They're easily visible (they aim up) and you're somewhat balancing out your headlight usage, since you run with low beams at night. Also, at reduced brightness, they won't burn out as fast. You can try wiring the high beams in series to run them at 6V, but I've heard you can cloud the bulbs if they don't get enough voltage.
An easier way is to just power the low beam lights with the ignition, in which case you'll need a 30A relay and soldering skills. You'll just bypass the headlight switch, and power the headlights whenever the ignition is on. This isn't as good because it isn't as visible down the road, burns your bulbs out faster, and is too bright for DRL (though our headlights are low enough it probably won't bother anyone).
Third way is what some of the newer GM cars are doing, and use a separate light as DRL. They're orange, somewhat bright, but mounted low and easily visible. The point of DRL is to be seen, not to actually put out enough light to light anything up with them. It might actually be the turn signal that they are using, which is easy enough, and you use relays to have the interrupt the power when you turn the blinker on. I don't know if our turn signals are bright enough to do that with. (maybe an overwattage bulb in a clear bumper lense?)
Please don't run high beams at full power all the time. Its too bright, even in the day. The US doesn't have requirements for DRL, and I don't think there is a limit on the amount of light they can produce, but it is illegal to run with high beams on with oncomming traffic, in residential areas, etc.
Any lights on in the day will reduce mileage (not alot if even noticable), and will cost you cash in bulbs. 9006 bulbs only last so long. And if you have a 9005 conversion and run them all the time, carry extra bulbs in the glove box.
The only DRL I've seen on Integras has been either running lower wattage bulbs in the high beam sockets all the time (bad, still too bright), or just running with the low beams on all the time.
Decide which way you want to do it. All of them should be fairly easy.
An easier way is to just power the low beam lights with the ignition, in which case you'll need a 30A relay and soldering skills. You'll just bypass the headlight switch, and power the headlights whenever the ignition is on. This isn't as good because it isn't as visible down the road, burns your bulbs out faster, and is too bright for DRL (though our headlights are low enough it probably won't bother anyone).
Third way is what some of the newer GM cars are doing, and use a separate light as DRL. They're orange, somewhat bright, but mounted low and easily visible. The point of DRL is to be seen, not to actually put out enough light to light anything up with them. It might actually be the turn signal that they are using, which is easy enough, and you use relays to have the interrupt the power when you turn the blinker on. I don't know if our turn signals are bright enough to do that with. (maybe an overwattage bulb in a clear bumper lense?)
Please don't run high beams at full power all the time. Its too bright, even in the day. The US doesn't have requirements for DRL, and I don't think there is a limit on the amount of light they can produce, but it is illegal to run with high beams on with oncomming traffic, in residential areas, etc.
Any lights on in the day will reduce mileage (not alot if even noticable), and will cost you cash in bulbs. 9006 bulbs only last so long. And if you have a 9005 conversion and run them all the time, carry extra bulbs in the glove box.
The only DRL I've seen on Integras has been either running lower wattage bulbs in the high beam sockets all the time (bad, still too bright), or just running with the low beams on all the time.
Decide which way you want to do it. All of them should be fairly easy.
Darth ModerVader
If you decide you want a "plug-and-play" option rather than a DIY, the site linked below has several options. The units won't turn on the lights during engine starts, and the "deluxe" unit also lowers DRL brightness to 75% of full head light output (to increase bulb life and reduce energy consumption).
http://www.automotiveelectronicaccessories.com/
http://www.automotiveelectronicaccessories.com/