General: - Replaced DRL's with LED's - Page 2

Ibge · Mar 16th, 2011, 21:20

Yes the grille kit is from ebay in the US.

I would have like to fit the LED's within the headlamp or fit halo rings like BMW have perhaps but i went for the simpler option.

hancym · Mar 16th, 2011, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibge

The install very was very simple, i just spliced with connectors into the wires for the side lights.
I did expect to get an error light with the bulbs missing for the sidelights but the LED's must be drawing enough.

The flexible strips are from ebay and they are ones that you can cut down to the size needed.

The rear lights i have left but i am thinking of a similar update.

Are they the 24s http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-24-LED-Lin...item1c1511fb3e
or the 48s
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-48-LED-Lin...item1c1511fb6f

Ibge · Mar 17th, 2011, 10:55

Hi,
They are the 48's which you can cut every 3 lights. I cut 6 lights off to fit.

The ones i got came with the 3M tape to attach but the ones you listed are much cheaper and look identical.

I did need to drill any holes either as you can just feed the wires straight through the grille gaps.

good luck and let me know how you get on

hancym · Mar 17th, 2011, 13:44

How much did the dealer charge you for switching off DLR?

Ibge · Mar 17th, 2011, 15:25

nothing is switched off. I have simply removed the sidelight bulbs and the power now feeds the LED's.

I can plug the bulbs back in and have all lights working

bobdabuilda · Mar 17th, 2011, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by hancym

How much did the dealer charge you for switching off DLR?

He's just turned the switch to sidelights only so the drls aren't on at this setting.

Coconut · Mar 17th, 2011, 16:32

I think they look very good, BUT - about to throw proverbial spanner in the works -
( IMHO ) you have left yourself open to potential prosecution, and MOT failure !

Legislation that came into effect in the UK in February 2011 requires NEW vehicles to be fitted with Daylight Running Lamps ( DRL's).

These must be ON during the day - they are designed to be bright enough to be seen during the day,
but because they are so bright they must be switched OFF at night - when the headlamps are switched on, so as not to dazzle other road users.

Alternatively they must DIM automatically when the headlamps are switched on, if the DRL's are also used as the "Obligatory Position lamps".
DRL's must be approved and carry the "E4 RL" marking.

The LED's you see on Audi's and the like are these new DRL's.

Prior to February 2011, vehicles are not required to have DRL's but can have them as an option.
There IS a requirement to have approved "Obligatory Position lamps".

If your LED strips are approved for use as "Obligatory Position lamps" then you should be OK, or,
if you put the "sidelight" ( Obligatory lamp ) bulbs back in, you should be OK,
as the LED's would then be optional additional lamps which are acceptable,
but if the LED strips are NOT approved as Obligatory lamps, then not having the Sidelight bulbs in
means you could get prosecuted for not having, or not maintaining, your "Obligatory Position lamps" !

I wouldn't take my word for the above though ! - Seek advice from an MOT Testing Station,
and ask whether they think your LED strips are legal as Obligatory Position lamps, instead of the "proper" sideights.

If they say "Yes" then you could use them to back you up, if you got stopped by our friends in Blue.

Britsud · Mar 17th, 2011, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibge

The install very was very simple, i just spliced with connectors into the wires for the side lights.
I did expect to get an error light with the bulbs missing for the sidelights but the LED's must be drawing enough.

The flexible strips are from ebay and they are ones that you can cut down to the size needed.

The rear lights i have left but i am thinking of a similar update.

Well done that man. Look very good

Ibge · Mar 17th, 2011, 17:12

i agree i may need to put the bulbs back in for MOT purposes and will see what they say.....i actually already have some LED bulbs to use in case

However i did also read a bit on the legality piece and if i remember right about the turning off of them at night, this only applied when they are within a certain range of the headlights/main beam. As my strips are some distance from the headlight i don't think that rule applies.

Coconut · Mar 17th, 2011, 20:28

If you have to put them back in to pass an MOT,
then you need them in every time you take the car on a road - Day or Night !

Let us know how you get on

Mar 17th, 2011, 16:32	#17
Coconut Older than Junior Member Last Online: Oct 12th, 2014 09:28 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Twon/City	I think they look very good, BUT - about to throw proverbial spanner in the works - ( IMHO ) you have left yourself open to potential prosecution, and MOT failure ! Legislation that came into effect in the UK in February 2011 requires NEW vehicles to be fitted with Daylight Running Lamps ( DRL's). These must be ON during the day - they are designed to be bright enough to be seen during the day, but because they are so bright they must be switched OFF at night - when the headlamps are switched on, so as not to dazzle other road users. Alternatively they must DIM automatically when the headlamps are switched on, if the DRL's are also used as the "Obligatory Position lamps". DRL's must be approved and carry the "E4 RL" marking. The LED's you see on Audi's and the like are these new DRL's. Prior to February 2011, vehicles are not required to have DRL's but can have them as an option. There IS a requirement to have approved "Obligatory Position lamps". If your LED strips are approved for use as "Obligatory Position lamps" then you should be OK, or, if you put the "sidelight" ( Obligatory lamp ) bulbs back in, you should be OK, as the LED's would then be optional additional lamps which are acceptable, but if the LED strips are NOT approved as Obligatory lamps, then not having the Sidelight bulbs in means you could get prosecuted for not having, or not maintaining, your "Obligatory Position lamps" ! I wouldn't take my word for the above though ! - Seek advice from an MOT Testing Station, and ask whether they think your LED strips are legal as Obligatory Position lamps, instead of the "proper" sideights. If they say "Yes" then you could use them to back you up, if you got stopped by our friends in Blue. __________________ 2008 XC90 D5 Executive, Sandstone Beige Leather, Active Bi-Xenons, Electric Sun Roof, Roof rails, Climate Control, Twin electric front heated seats, Volvo DTi, Full integrated phone, Westfalia Tow Bar....

Mar 17th, 2011, 20:28	#20
Coconut Older than Junior Member Last Online: Oct 12th, 2014 09:28 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Twon/City	If you have to put them back in to pass an MOT, then you need them in every time you take the car on a road - Day or Night ! Let us know how you get on __________________ 2008 XC90 D5 Executive, Sandstone Beige Leather, Active Bi-Xenons, Electric Sun Roof, Roof rails, Climate Control, Twin electric front heated seats, Volvo DTi, Full integrated phone, Westfalia Tow Bar....

Mar 16th, 2011, 21:20	#11
Ibge New Member Last Online: May 9th, 2011 09:57 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Romsey	Yes the grille kit is from ebay in the US. I would have like to fit the LED's within the headlamp or fit halo rings like BMW have perhaps but i went for the simpler option.

Mar 17th, 2011, 10:55	#13
Ibge New Member Last Online: May 9th, 2011 09:57 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Romsey	Hi, They are the 48's which you can cut every 3 lights. I cut 6 lights off to fit. The ones i got came with the 3M tape to attach but the ones you listed are much cheaper and look identical. I did need to drill any holes either as you can just feed the wires straight through the grille gaps. good luck and let me know how you get on

Mar 17th, 2011, 13:44	#14
hancym Master Member Last Online: Feb 25th, 2024 15:40 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Norwich	How much did the dealer charge you for switching off DLR?

Mar 17th, 2011, 15:25	#15
Ibge New Member Last Online: May 9th, 2011 09:57 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Romsey	nothing is switched off. I have simply removed the sidelight bulbs and the power now feeds the LED's. I can plug the bulbs back in and have all lights working

Mar 17th, 2011, 17:12	#19
Ibge New Member Last Online: May 9th, 2011 09:57 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Romsey	i agree i may need to put the bulbs back in for MOT purposes and will see what they say.....i actually already have some LED bulbs to use in case However i did also read a bit on the legality piece and if i remember right about the turning off of them at night, this only applied when they are within a certain range of the headlights/main beam. As my strips are some distance from the headlight i don't think that rule applies.

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