Daytime Running Lights

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 07:28
ThreadID: 100331 Views:3616 Replies:6 FollowUps:26
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Good Morning Gurus,

I'd like my Sprinter to be as visible as possible to on-coming traffic and thought I might like to fit some Daytime Running Lights to the front bullbar.

I'd like them to be of the LED type and as a set of two to be able to "light up" as the engine starts.

Are others using something similar and what suggestions might you have as to just where to buy them at a reasonable price.

Thanks for your help and input.

Keith
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 07:38

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 07:38
Keith
Have a look on ebay, I've got a set of These ones which work well.
I bought them to fit above the Oka's headlights but you may have more room so could fit a longer version.
AnswerID: 503914

Reply By: dindy - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 07:49

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 07:49
Hi, why don't you just turn on your low beam during the day? I run my low beam all the time during the day. Its a simple and safe way of being visible to other drivers particularly on open country roads and in poor conditions.

Whilst travelling along the hume hwy recently during very heavy rain and low visibility
I was amazed by the number of dark coloured vehicles travelling without headlights. They were almost invisible given the weather conditions. However the vehicles with their lights on were much more easily seen particularly from the rear.

Next time your travelling on a long stretch of country road take note of how far away you can see a vehicle with its lights on compared to one with no lights.

I wish more drivers would turn their lights on during the day.
AnswerID: 503917

Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 08:37

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 08:37
We usually travel with headlights on as both the Humvee and the Oka are both camo paintjobs so blend into the background very easily.
The DRL's are very bright and are handy on the occasions we forget to turn the headlights on.
We've just come home from travelling in Canada and ALL vehicles must run with headlights on at all times, the vehicles are wired so they come onn as soon as the ignition is on and yes it does make vehicles much more visible especially in poor conditions.
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Follow Up By: Brian Purdue - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 10:59

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 10:59
I agree that in poor conditions headlights should be turned on. Regretably, it is my observation is that most people leave them on on high beam. Then they get cranky if you flash them.
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Reply By: racinrob - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 12:15

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 12:15
Keith. By coincidence I am in almost the same situation as you but a bit a bit further down the track. I have a Sprinter and bought some LED DRLs on eBay before Christmas, mounted them under my bullbar and tried to wire them into the ignition circuit, even with a wiring diagram I couldn't find the right wire so asked an auto elect to do the job, he claimed they were illegal in NSW, (they are standard equipment on most European cars nowadays). Anyway I will wire them into the parking light circuit so they come on when I turn my parking lights on, an easier and cheaper option. LOL.


Rob.
AnswerID: 503942

Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 12:18

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 12:18
What was illegal about them? Was it the location, unable to control them or what? Interesting claim by him.

Phil
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Follow Up By: blown4by - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 13:01

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 13:01
They are not illegal anywhere in AUS. Tell your Leckatrician to read ADR13/UNECE48 Daytime Running Lamps.
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Follow Up By: racinrob - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 13:09

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 13:09
PJR and blown4by, yeah, an interesting comment by autoelek, I don't think he wanted to do the job. Charged me $235 to hook up my driving lights which I had already mounted on the bullbar.
I have learned by experience that interfering with the wiring on a Mercedes is not a job for the inexperienced due to the computer which reads voltage drop and puts you into "Limp Mode" if it reads a variation.

Rob.
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Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 13:23

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 13:23
blown4by I believe that they could be illegal if too bright and mounted incorrectly.

Phil
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Follow Up By: blown4by - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 23:28

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 23:28
That would be the case with any lamp mounted on a vehicle. When I said they are not illegal anywhere in AUS I was assuming they would be mounted in accordance with ADR13 and the lamps would comply with ADR76
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Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 07:54

Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 07:54
Very true and then we have the ones who don't give a rats for the ADR's or the law and just do their own thing. And when they get pulled over or the insurance claim is knocked back they claim to not know about either what you or I said.

No worries. Not disagreeing with you.

Phil
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Reply By: Shaver - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 14:43

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 14:43
Super Cheap had 28 LED (each) complete with relay to come on & off with the ignition for $89. I have them on my 200 Series & they are very good. I ended up buying another set for spares, but they have not been used. A auto electrician put me on to them. Far cheaper than the other big brands.
AnswerID: 503969

Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 16:52

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 16:52
Thanks Shaver,
That information was EXACTLY what I was hoping for and addressed all my questions. Thanks again.

Keith
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Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 17:08

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 17:08
Hi Shaver,

Having had a goodly look at the Super Cheap Autos website, I have been unable to locate them as stock anywhere. If your spare pair have an identification number on the packaging, can you have a gecko for me and possibly jot the number down for me.

Many thanks

Keith
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FollowupID: 780743

Follow Up By: MemberGraham J - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 18:03

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 18:03
Hi Keith
I agree that day time running lights in adverse weather conditions ie:fog or very dull days may be useful BUT!! I am sick and tired of cars running around on bright sunny days with headlights and FOG lights on. It is illegal and more to the point most annoying. I call them "look at me lights"
Here on the Gold Coast it has become an epidemic. If someone is going to run into you they will do so with or without your lights on.
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 18:20

Sunday, Feb 03, 2013 at 18:20
Keith, fog lights are not permitted to be used day or night unless you are in fog conditions. When it comes to headlights the only restriction is you must dip your headlights when approaching within 200 m of another vehicle. This applies whether you are coming from the front or rear. There is no mention of day or night running, you must thus dip them in daylight as well as night time.
PeterD
Retired radio and electronics technician

Lifetime Member
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Follow Up By: Shaver - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 06:25

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 06:25
MemberGrahame J

I don't know what your on about in regard to your comment on the Gold Coast. I have been here nearly 30 years & you need every bit of light showing up on your vehicle in every morning traffic from the Hinterland side to Southport. Looking at your Nissan for sale ad with Vic Plates maybe you have not been here long enough to realize the benefits.
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Follow Up By: Member - Des Lexic - Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 18:20

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 18:20
Member Grahame j, the last 2 work vehicles I have had and our newby personal vehicle have the lights come on automatically when you fire them up. You don't get a choice, they just come that way from the factory. Personally, I prefer that people can see me clearly so we don't meet by accident.
Once I had someone flash me telling me that they were on and just gave him the thumbs up appreciating that he could see me
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Reply By: Shaver - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 06:12

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 06:12
Keithin Tassie

In reply to your enquiry,

The lights are SCA "28 LED Day Time Running Lights" PLU : 284685. Code : SJ294E
AnswerID: 504038

Follow Up By: Shaver - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 09:51

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 09:51
Keithin Tassie

Keith

I made a phone call to the Ashmore Branch here on the G/Coast & they have 1 in stock & 2 in Burleigh Heads. The problem is they show none in Tassie & they won't send between Stores. They have been discontinued as a item.
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Follow Up By: Shaver - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 10:02

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 10:02
Keith

By the way the last ones that are available have been reduced from $89 to $50. I should have waited before I bought the 2nd Set eh !
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Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 21:16

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 21:16
Many thanks Shaver mate,

Your blood's worth bottling.

Now at least I have some information to chase to try and find some. Many thanks, I'll let you know just how sucessful (or otherwise) I am in my search.

And to all the rest of the comments about headlights, driving lights, fog lights and high beams . . . . . . . here's looking at ya and flash me as you pass please.

Keith
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Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 21:56

Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 21:56
Hi Shaver,

Thanks once again. I rand the Ashmore branch and they told me that they currently had a nil stock on that item but they were able to tell me that the Mermaid Beach branch still had two showing on their stock list.

I rang mermaid Beach and purchased a single set for the reduced price of $50.00 and have since sorted out a courier to transport them to Tassie.

Maybe in 8 to 10 days time I'll be able to see just how they fit on the bullbar and once hooked up I'll be as happy as the proverbial pig in poop.

Thanks for your help mate. I appreciated it.

Keith
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Follow Up By: Shaver - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013 at 02:30

Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013 at 02:30
Keith

Let me know what you think about them !
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Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 13:43

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 13:43
G'day Shaver mate,

After a longish delay my Daylight Driving Lights arrived down South by courier just yesterday. As the Sprinter is away having an awning fitted I have been cracking my neck to get it back to see where the best location to fit these lights are.

The lights are just as you described them and are just what I was looking for. At the reduced rate of $50.00 I was tempted to purchase two sets in order to justify the courier cost.

I'm a happy chappy and thanks heaps for your help in locating them. Perhaps after I fit them I'll take a photo and let you see just how they look.

Many thanks once again, I owe you a cold and frothy fizzy drink.

Keith
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FollowupID: 782101

Follow Up By: Shaver - Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 16:09

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 16:09
Keithin Tassie,
Glad to see you like the light's ! Yes a photo would be nice. Happy to be of assistance & you certainly can't knock the price, even I am peeved after paying top dollar for the 2nd set. Oh well ! Have been meaning to see if two lights will work off each individual circuit as I can mount the 2nd set below the other on the Cruiser, but too big a job again to rewire the other relay in.
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FollowupID: 782122

Reply By: Eric Experience - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 21:18

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 21:18
Keith and Rob.
Glad to see there are some sprinter drivers on this forum, I also have Sprinters, When I mentioned the advantages of Sprinters on this forum some time ago I got a very nasty reaction from a few members. If you have any questions about the electrics of Sprinters I can help you. Eric.
AnswerID: 504086

Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 23:19

Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 23:19
G'day Eric,

Whilst I don't have a question on the electrics associated with the Sprinter, I do have a broken door handle. It's the one on the passengers side sliding door (read whiz bang).

If any of you learned gentlemen or ladies know of a reliable place to obtain a replacement handle I'd love to share the information.

Cheers

Keith
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FollowupID: 780960

Follow Up By: Alan S (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 23:53

Tuesday, Feb 05, 2013 at 23:53
Keith

While not speciifically about sprinters, my other interest is old Mercedes cars.
I have bought parts before from MB Spares in canberra, parts may not be guenuine as in branded but he gets the same parts direct from manufacturers.
I know he can slos get new modle parts, so he may be able to help with sprinter parts.

Alan
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Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013 at 07:19

Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013 at 07:19
Thanks Alan I'll follow that lead and see where it takes me.

Keith
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FollowupID: 780968

Follow Up By: Eric Experience - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013 at 20:55

Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013 at 20:55
Keith.
What model Sprinter and which part of the handle do you want? Eric
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Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 12:22

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 at 12:22
Thanks for asking Eric and sorry for such a long delay in responding but there's been a lot on down at this end.

The Sprinter went in to have a new Fiamma awning fitted at our local Caravan yard (nice folks) and the owner offered to both obtain and fit a new door handle. I'm currently waiting a call from them to collect "Matilda".

Thank you for your interest.

Keith
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FollowupID: 782095

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