How to turn BRZ Headlight LED into DRL

[Deathalo]

Originally Posted by Cato

I like the idea of this mod and will probably get around to it eventually. One thing that no one has pointed out is that the diode has a voltage drop of 0.6 volts or so, though you probably wouldn't notice that loss in brightness.

If someone electronically inclined could try wiring a simple MOSFET circuit together on small breadboard, you might be able to get around this.

Thanks for all of the pictures and instructions on accessing the wires. That's the toughest part to figure out.

What if you want the lower DRL Leds to be dimmer when being powered from the Boomerang source power (i.e. they'd be less bright when full headlights are on and therefore less bright at night), is there a diode that just lowers voltage or something enough to dim but still power on? I'm not very electrically competent so excuse any ignorance. I know someone was trying to do something with a PWM but didn't know if that was the only option or really what that entails.

[Lithium]

Originally Posted by Deathalo

What if you want the lower DRL Leds to be dimmer when being powered from the Boomerang source power (i.e. they'd be less bright when full headlights are on and therefore less bright at night), is there a diode that just lowers voltage or something enough to dim but still power on? I'm not very electrically competent so excuse any ignorance. I know someone was trying to do something with a PWM but didn't know if that was the only option or really what that entails.

Pulse width modulation would be the ideal way to go but an easy alternative would be a resister (or make a voltage divider using a potentiometer on one side). I personally don't really like resisters because they exchange current for heat but they work. I really don't think the resister will work anyway. If I recall, the DRLs don't turn on until approximately 14 volts. which leads me to believe there isn't much room to play with then it comes to dimming the DRLs with a resister. It would be worth a shot but I would recommend going the voltage divider direction if you absolutely must dim the DRLs.

[caffeinejunky]

Resistor won't work since the drl just dies when it isn't receiving enough power. Least when I tried anyway.

[Deathalo]

Originally Posted by caffeinejunky

Resistor won't work since the drl just dies when it isn't receiving enough power. Least when I tried anyway.

=/ would like to figure something out.

[Lithium]

Originally Posted by Deathalo

=/ would like to figure something out.

I will see what I can do, the only way possible at this point is PWM which isnt an easy DIY. If I put one together and make them easily adjustable would people be interested? They wont be cheap, maybe 100 bucks, hell we can probably find one on amazon for cheaper than I can make/code/ship.

[Andrew025]

Originally Posted by Lithium

I will see what I can do, the only way possible at this point is PWM which isnt an easy DIY. If I put one together and make them easily adjustable would people be interested? They wont be cheap, maybe 100 bucks, hell we can probably find one on amazon for cheaper than I can make/code/ship.

You can usually get some cheap ones in a housing for ~$20
Nothing fancy though.

[Deathalo]

Originally Posted by Lithium

I will see what I can do, the only way possible at this point is PWM which isnt an easy DIY. If I put one together and make them easily adjustable would people be interested? They wont be cheap, maybe 100 bucks, hell we can probably find one on amazon for cheaper than I can make/code/ship.

What exactly is involved? I'm not familiar with this, would it just dim them every time the power is coming from the Boomerang wire? Would it just be spliced into that wire, how big is a PWM?

[FLYFISHR]

This may be a stupid idea but what if we could find extra clips that match these, could we do the mods to the wiring between them to make it a plug and play mod? That way we could just unplug it, if we wanted to return it to stock before we had to take it into the dealer for warranty work.Your thoughts? Also where would one start looking for these connectors?

[Deathalo]

Like this? [ame="http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Controller-Modulation-Stepless-Governor/dp/B00C46O4YG/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1395974615&sr= 1-2&keywords=pulse+width+modulator"]Amazon.com: DROK 9-60V PWM DC Motor Speed Controller Pulse Width Modulation Stepless 20A/600W Switch Dimmer Governor: Automotive[/ame]

[CIAGDDS]

Nice write up, I'm going to knock this mod out today.

Edit: All done. Made it all plug/play and it is wired to turn off with the headlights. Thanks again for the excellent write up.

[d3lirious]

i want to do this mod... but i want bottom DRL to turn off when the headlights turn on... advice?

[Trap63]

Originally Posted by d3lirious

i want to do this mod... but i want bottom DRL to turn off when the headlights turn on... advice?

see initial posts, it's well explained. You need two diode per side, with opposite wiring/polarity.

[Lithium]

Originally Posted by Deathalo

Like this? Amazon.com: DROK 9-60V PWM DC Motor Speed Controller Pulse Width Modulation Stepless 20A/600W Switch Dimmer Governor: Automotive

Yes that would work but its way over kill. I would suggest you buy two of these [ame="http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-LED-Strip-Lights-Controller/dp/B003L4KKF2/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1396305904&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=14+volt+led+dimmer+PWM#productDet ails"]Amazon.com: LEDwholesalers LED Strip Lights PWM Dimming Controller For LED Lights or Ribbon, 12 Volt 8/10 Amp, 3301: Home Improvement[/ame]

Calibrate them as close as possible and put them inline to each DRL. You must make sure to Diode Isolate this circuit, I don't really know how it will react if current back feeds. The math allows both DRLs to be powered off a single unit but I think its cutting it pretty close, honestly I have no idea what the stock DRL wattage is at but I'm guessing its not a lot. I'm going to order two of these and set them up on my car. It can get a little tricky with two circuits so please don't follow my advice unless you really know what your doing, just hold off until I get together a walk through.

[d3lirious]

Originally Posted by Trap63

see initial posts, it's well explained. You need two diode per side, with opposite wiring/polarity.

that prolly sounds real simple... but.. i got nothing... haha sorry