Mod done: Daytime Running Lights on an MGF

[Mykel]

Hi everybody,

I finally made it ... so here we go with the daytime running light mod:

Before all other talk the good news: IT WORKS! And it isn't so tricky a mod after all. Yet we'll see to the actual business later.

Because in the first place I've got a relief for our friends in North America, who cannot decide whether or not they fix a mod at all, but are required to do something about it. Actually while checking the legal provisions for DTLRs according to EU regulations, I learned that in Canada and the States "Running Light" just means any kind of light approximately half as bright as the normal dipped beam. And it can have any colour in a range between white and amber.

So the mod is quite easy: Simply connect the live wire to each of the front indicators to the #85 pins of one switching relay for each side and hook the indicator to the respective pins #87A, both #86 pins go to ground. The #30 pins are connected together and wired via a 10 Amp flying fuse to the black/yellow cable that runs from the ignition switch to the fuse box.

Thus, as soon as the ignition is switched on, the front indicators light up. When the indicator switch is operated, they simply flash the other way round.

So much for you guys on the other side o'the pond.

[Mykel]

And now to the beef:

What I wanted to achieve is a way to integrate DTRLs into the existing light assembly of the MGF. TFs are not affected at this time, simply because I haven't got one handy in the yard.

As stated above, I first checked with the respective regulations (ECE R48 in case of all EU countries). These require DTLRs
- to be fitted to the front of the car (who'd have guessed?)
- at a distance from ground between 25 and 150 centimetres
- ... distance to the car's outer edge no more than 40 cm
- ... distance between the DTLR units at least 60 cm
- have a size of lighted surface of at least 25 sqcm
- offer a brightness between 400 and 800 candela
- to automatically switch on with ignition
- to automatically switch off when main lights are turned on

The measurements are ideal for the MGF's indicators, which I therefore decided to mod.

The Dremel is a truly gorgeous appliance. You can do almost anything with it, it actually is a doddle to "undo" the sealed indicator housings. WEAR PROTECTIVE GLASSES and do it outside. It smells awful!

_dirty.jpg (52.12 KiB) Viewed 2310 times

Unfortunately, when cut open they look a bit sloppy but as the Dremel comes with a rotary grinder as well, this is easily sanded off. I washed out the debris from the reflector (just water, no touching!) and tidy we were.

_clean.jpg (42.58 KiB) Viewed 2310 times

The PCB will be a perfect fit:

_pcb.jpg (41.5 KiB) Viewed 2310 times

So what's next then?

[Mykel]

I got some ultra-brite LEDs rated 140 candela each, six for each side adding up to a little above 800 candela but I think that data sheets are a bit generous anyway.
These buddies are huge:

_size.jpg (69.31 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

I prepared the innards of the to-be-modded indicator by soldering the LEDs and their resistors on the PCB.

_soldering.jpg (64.52 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

Which was then fixed into the reflector, using the same double-sided sticky tape i fixed my number plates with. This is experimental only, for production purposes I will use something different, maybe a hot glue gun.

Then the LEDs have to be finally aligned to shine to the front.

_assembly.jpg (49.07 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

But where does the cable go?

[Mykel]

Fortunately, MG Rover have provided the indicator housings with a sealed cable exit, so no drilling is required.

_cable.jpg (39.03 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

And that is how it looks, again I used the above mentioned sticky tape to fix the glass to the reflector body. The final version will be thoroughly sealed of course.

_unit.jpg (46.76 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

Let's go and have a look.

[Mykel]

After taking out the original indicator, I fiddled a pair of wires from the battery through the bumper and hooked the new unit to them. Now this is what it looks like (n/s only, o/s for comparison):

_on.jpg (71.36 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

I was a bit afraid if the ultra-brite LEDs might affect the indicator's visibility, but this doesn't seem to be a problem:

_indicator.jpg (65.88 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

Also, the indicator function is not hindered when the LEDs are switched off when driving at night:

_unmod_mod.jpg (55.38 KiB) Viewed 2309 times

So what is left to do is wire the whole thing up with a relay, solder the o/s PCB and get two replacement indicators, as the one I tested on was a broken one.

More details about this mod will be found in the next edition of FasTForward, if I am FasT enough.

Comments welcome ...

[GazMG]

Have you considered making these to order for forum members, perhaps with Ultrabrite LEDs? I know I'd be very interested...

[Rich in Vancouver]

That's a very neat solution Mykel.
There's nothing that looks so bad as poorly done LEDs on the front of a car.
I saw one today and knew right away it was a home made job.
Yours looks professional.
With my DRLs I took the easy way out and just have them running the low beam headlights.
That isn't as snazzy as your solution but it satisfies the regulations which is the main goal.

Rich

[cameronf]

Now all you need is the unit to wire it up! fortunately Car Builder Solutions do a neat little kit
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/LED_ ... KIT_LEDDRL

which works with LEDs.
cam

[Mykel]

Have you considered making these to order for forum members, perhaps with Ultrabrite LEDs? I know I'd be very interested...

Hi Gary,

unfortunately I have not yet convinced my wife to take up a decent job again and keep the family running on her wallet, so there's still only limited time for the modding business.

Yet the whole thing is actually quite easy, nothing to worry about if you have access to a Dremel and know how to handle a soldering iron. I have now ordered plugs and cables for the wiring and am really looking forward to presenting the final results in a few days.

Cheers
Mykel

[WaNgEr]

i did the same thing last year for a friend of mine but in the headlamp bowl it looked really nice but i didnt think of the indicators. it looks great

[dwkmgf]

Fantastic solution, very neat and well executed. But can I ask a really simple question - can you not just use your sidelights as DTRL's or dipped beam headlights?

[Mykel]

Hi Dave,

thanks for your comment (and all the others as well ).

One thing about DTLRs is that they have to be quite bright, as they are used under daylight conditions. Therefore, side lamps are simply not useful (and generally not allowed in most countries), as the 10 Watt bulbs are hardly seen at all. Yet switching them on will mean that around 50 Watts are consumed, because the tail lights and some on the dashboard will be on together with them. Using the dipped beam is much better visibility-wise, yet power consumption then will even rise to about 150 Watts total. Plus the reflectors will wear a lot faster.

"So watt" about the Watts when I got a 107 kW engine in the back, you might say. Now, these extra Watts have to be produced, and I found out that driving with full headlights on easily costs about one and a half mile to the gallon. The 12 LEDs take up some 10 Watts or so, making a big difference.

Another thing is that some head units are informed when the lights are switched on, automatically dimming the display to night conditions. With the roof down on a sunny afternoon, you won't be able to read anything on it anymore.

Cheers
Mykel

[cameronf]

I would be interested to know what the law in other countries is like on this matter. In the UK all new cars will have to have them fitted from now on. Our rules state that Daytime Running Lights must come on with the ignition and turn of when the headlamps are turned on. Is that the same as elsewhere?

Of course retro fitting them to older cars means you dont have to comply with the letter of the law. Personally I dont like 'em. I think they spoil the front of the car which is outstandingly pretty anyway. I do understand that in some countries they are a good idea - and for some drivers its a good idea (the ones who dont know how to turn on lights when its dull/raining/ etc -they are probably the same ones who dont realise you dont need fog lights on all year round - yes the switch usually switches them off with a second press! lol)

[Mykel]

The spoiling-the-looks factor actually led me to putting the LEDs inside the indicator housing, so nothing is added to the IMHO perfect front of the MGF.

The European homologation about DTLRs has been effective since 7 Feb this year, this meaning that all new cars in Europe have to be fitted with them. The usage and retrofit for older cars however is a bit different:

Either DTRLs OR dipped beam obligatory:
Bulgaria, Denmark*, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Czech Rep., Hungary
* = together with tail lights only

Dipped beam only:
Lithuania*, Poland*, Portugal
* = DTRLs not specifically allowed but tolerated

Dipped beam or DTRLs recommended:
France, Germany, Switzerland

No regulations whatsoever:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands

Thats what I found out about it.

[Rich in Vancouver]

They have been mandatory here since the late 80's. It is correct that there was a large decrease in accidents after their adoption that gradually fell off over the years. However after driving a small dark coloured car (TR7 FHC), without DTRLs, for the last 3 years I can truthfully say that other drivers used to car having them just don't notice you without them. I have had way too many close calls!

[Rob Bell]

Brilliant Mykel - this is superb.

Like you, I really like this modification simply because you wouldn't notice them unless the lights are on!

Can we see more pictures of the DTRLs? I think that the picture above slightly under-sells it.

[Mykel]

Hahá!

Guess what I found in the mail today:

_paraphernalia.jpg (60.33 KiB) Viewed 2186 times

Yes, it's a relay, proper connectors, some yards of wire and a fuse ... so I'm afraid i will be out to the yard right now ...

Stay tuned, it looks as though I'm on the final lap with this!

[Mykel]

It's been a while now, yet I finally modded the original indicators and refitted them, wiring is also complete and here we go! This is a comparison in dim lighting condition. Actually in real life the lights look much brighter and are far more effective than the camera can catch.

_compare.jpg (55.39 KiB) Viewed 2157 times

[Rob Bell]

I like that!

[redarrow]

Really nice, mykel.

How you create the pcb board?

What resisters, are they(any links ebay?)

What led size (any ebay links)

I wont to do this 100%, need all links and info.

Your not supplying the mod as a kit,so can we have all info,prices step via steps

why didn't this get your fantastic pdf download.