What DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) fit Insight..

infinitium · 04-24-2011, 05:17 AM

I'm thinking of installing DRLs into the front grille of the Insight, but I find the grille holes are typically too small for aftermarket DRLs like the Philips DRL-4, or the Hella range.

Has anyone bought/installed DRLs onto your Insight? I'm curious to see pictures and what types of DRLs you used. Thanks!

Cobb · 04-24-2011, 09:44 PM

The US and other versions come with DRL, its the high beam, ran at a lower voltage. Ive seen kits that run your turn signals for the front when I searched a few years ago. I think the countries that require them, require they be 5 watts, should be something easy to do with a basic 1157 bulb, not alone halogen of any size.

infinitium · 04-25-2011, 10:33 AM

Wow... US versions come w/DRLs? Nice. I've always thought of DRLs as stereotyped to the white LED strips... like the Mercs.

Guess using the high beam's small bulb as a DRL would work too (hey, as long as there's light coming out during the day + bright enough to warn opposing traffic, who cares right?

Cobb · 04-27-2011, 12:26 AM

I had them and driven with my lights off and on. I can not tell if they do anything or not. I can say driving with fog only vs fog and low beams in fog does help you see the edges of the road better when visibility is next to nothing.

infinitium · 04-28-2011, 09:16 AM

Just got my DRLs installed. Went w/the Philips DRL-5 series... DRL DayLight 5

Took about 30 mins to install @ a car auto shop that specializes in after-market mods.

Ignition on, DRLs come on:

DRLs stay on when headlamps stay on:

Another angle, when it's off:

Cobb · 04-28-2011, 09:57 AM

Wow, that thing really sits high off the ground. Oh, yeah, those look nice. Id be tempted to add 2 more to make a solid beam across the front.

aisbell · 04-28-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitium

Just got my DRLs installed. Went w/the Philips DRL-5 series... DRL DayLight 5

Ignition on, DRLs come on:

DRLs stay on when headlamps stay on:

I just attempted to install a similar set of DRL's on my Insight G1 but they did not work as advertised. They are supposed to turn on when the ignition switch is turned to the running position with the headlights off. They are supposed to turn off when the ignition switched is not in the running position or when the headlights are turned on. It's not legal in Europe to have DRL's on when the headlights are on so I don't understand why your DRL's remain on when your headlights are on.

When I started the engine, the DRL's turned on, but only for about 15 seconds. When I turned on the headlights, the DRL's turned on to partial (half?) brightness. When I turned off the headlights, the DRL's turned on to full brightness but stayed on for only about 15 seconds. When I turned the ignition switch off, the DRL's continued to glow very faintly until I disconnected them from the 12 v. battery. I returned them to the seller.

Do you understand how the DRL control box knows that the ignition switch is on? The control box isn't connected to anything that is hot only when the ignition switch is on. I suspect that the control box senses the small AC ripple remaining in the DC voltage produced by the alternator. But no AC ripple exists in a Honda hybrid because the 12 v. battery isn't charged by an alternator. I suspect that's why my DRL's did not work, but that doesn't explain why yours sort of work. Any ideas? I need to install some LED DRL's that work according to E.U. regulations.

Cobb · 05-01-2011, 10:59 PM

Ive been a big fan of PIAA products. My geo metro has a set of fog and driving lights. Both are tapped into the low and high beams with relay kits. This way I can only have fog on low and driving on high.

Id think a set of DRLS for your country would have a trigger for the accessory circuit to turn it on, then one from the heads or tails to turn it back off. Napa sells a variety of relays, normally open or closed. Id get a normally closed relay and wire up the DRL lamps to it, then the switch part to the parking lights. So, when they are on it opens the relay and breaks the circuit turning them off.

infinitium · 05-01-2011, 11:21 PM

yeah, the DRL-5 from Philips has the option to turn the DRLs off when the parking lights/headlights come on. but i bypassed that, so my DRLs stay on as long as the engine's on.

**Touche'** · 08-28-2011, 02:33 PM

I really want to go all LED on my 2011 and think those DRL's look great. But how are they secured in the front grill? Is there any metal brackets to secure them to? Or is it just with 3M Tape? How are they standing up to road gravel / rocks

Also Cobb, you have listed on your signature: 3000k 35 watt fogs Ecco bulb highs, 4300k 35 watt low all w/ relay kits. I'm sure these provide you with excellent viability, but is there a thread here somewhere that I can get info on how to do any of this? I just ordered replacement LEDs for my interior and license plate lights, but they didn't have any listed for the headlights or fog lights. I had the dealer put on the fogs before I picked it up. I suppose I can just pull a bulb out and then find a LED replacement from the number on it

Is it desirable to get LED's for the front blinkers and/or the front & rear marker lights? I am assuming that since we have LED Brake lights that the rear blinkers are LEDs too.

I'd appreciate any help on this, and am not trying to hijack this thread. It just seems like a logical progression on this topic.