Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I just finished adding some daytime running lights to my S4 Federal Elan. Switched the standard 1157 bulbs for 2" LEDs, changed the lenses to clear and added a timer delay relay (from timers shop) to switch the running lights off when the turn signals come on. I am very happy with the result. The car is much more visible during the day without having to pop up the headlights.

Hi

I am a big fan of DRL's. I have not taken delivery of my +2 yet but will be doing some along the same lines as you, but with the sidelights.

On my 993 and 986 Porsches, I just used a relay to bring the DRL lights on with the ignition and off with side and dipped headlights so they do not blind at night.

All the best

Berni

Hi Gardog,
I changed my indicators, several years ago, to combination DRL/indicators using new 1157 (dual contact) units, with amber lenses, from Holden Vintage and Classic in the UK. I hooked into the switched power from the ignition switch to the coil for DRL power. The actual LED insert I used was a flat plate motorcycle product with 42 amber LEDS. The imbedded chipset would recognise the incoming indicator power, when selected, and then the DRL would blink on and off. To fit the flat plate insert into the back of the lens, it required some bench grinding of the resiny mounting material intill it fitted snugly, and then stuck into the lens using a small amount of clear silastic. This arrangement can be found in one of the photos.
I wasn’t entirely happy with this arrangement, so recently I purchased the latest iteration of the product. This can be found in the other photo. The part number from Custom Dynamics, a US company, is GEN-4-AW-1157-T.
This product has 42 amber and 42 white LEDs. I mounted these in the same way as previous, except behind a clear lens. This product is on, super bright white, as a DRL, but with an incoming indicator signal, the 42 white LEDs turn off, and the 42 amber LEDs blink. There is no need for relays.
They look just like your second photo. I am hoping that the bright white light makes me more noticeable to other road users, especially the huge SUVs getting around theses days.
Cheers,
Colin

Gardog wrote:I just finished adding some daytime running lights to my S4 Federal Elan. Switched the standard 1157 bulbs for 2" LEDs, changed the lenses to clear and added a timer delay relay (from timers shop) to switch the running lights off when the turn signals come on. I am very happy with the result. The car is much more visible during the day without having to pop up the headlights.

Or this. Two motorcycle led running lights behind the grill and led sidelight bulbs. Very visible to HGVs and all. D

This reminds me;
There was a yellow elan with white led running lights in Surrey earlier this month, when moving the nearside led in the grill flashes like an indicator... Whoever you are please check your connections

I like what you have done Colin and Co.
I have some two pin fittings coming and some clear lenses. Just have to get the leds from the USA.
Cheers Mike

Thanks guys, a great modification. I fitted mine and am well pleased with the outcome. This has got to be a a saftey improvement with how bright the white leds are. Plus the changeover to orange with indication. Very slick.

FYI - In Europe or cars subject to European regulations DRLs must turn off whenever headlamps or foglamps are on. DRL's do not have to turn off when indicators are on if there is more than 40mm between the DRL and the indicator lamp. Not sure about USA situation.

To be precise, and pedantic:

'...European regulations DRLs must turn off whenever sidelights, headlamps or foglamps are on...'

HCA wrote:European regulations DRLs must turn off whenever sidelights, headlamps or foglamps are on

I'm not sure where you obtained that information from but my reading of the ECE regulations is that they are allowed to be on the when the parking (sidelights) are on. There is an exception too that they are allowed to remain on if you are just flashing headlamps briefly as a warning to other road users.

I only piped up on this one because I had to recently read the regulations surrounding this particular topic for my day job!

And seeing as I have a strong desire to be really, really boring.................they are allowed to turn off when the handbrake is on (Just for those few lonely souls that are still using a generator)!!!

'...European regulations DRLs must turn off whenever sidelights, headlamps or foglamps are on...'

If this is so I shall continue to break the law. So many people assume that because they have DRLs they are safe - but so many times in poor visibility one come across cars with no rear lights on. I think possibly because most people don't think and assume they are safe!! I would make manufacturers fit DRLs at both ends. Bah Humbug. D

TBG wrote:'...European regulations DRLs must turn off whenever sidelights, headlamps or foglamps are on...'

If this is so I shall continue to break the law. So many people assume that because they have DRLs they are safe - but so many times in poor visibility one come across cars with no rear lights on. I think possibly because most people don't think and assume they are safe!! I would make manufacturers fit DRLs at both ends. Bah Humbug. D

I have to add to this that it's actually mandatory that the DRL's stay on when the parking lights are activated.

I stand corrected! You are right that it is not in the regulation. I picked up on it remembering a huge debate on the subject hosted by the AA and others that brought in cases where it was best not to have DRLs on, but use sidelights instead, and of course, the argumanet that still rages of not having rear lights on with the DRls...
Apologies!

HCA wrote:I stand corrected! You are right that it is not in the regulation. I picked up on it remembering a huge debate on the subject hosted by the AA and others that brought in cases where it was best not to have DRLs on, but use sidelights instead, and of course, the argumanet that still rages of not having rear lights on with the DRls...
Apologies!

I'm surprised they are having arguments because the requirements are actually written into law (for new vehicles at least).

2cams70 wrote:Not sure about USA situation.

While most new cars sold here in recent years are equipped with them, there is no legal requirement at the national level* and therefore I'm not aware of any laws regarding when they operate.

*As USA seems determined to be the least-advanced of the developed countries.