Daytime running lights
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 494
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Daytime running lights
Does anyone know of a kit to have daytime running lights? Here in Canada we are supposed to have lights on all the time, so I'm hoping to have the front park lights and the tail lights come on automatically with engine startup.
I've left the park lights on one too many times
, and am getting tired of asking people to give me a push start when I return to the car and find a dead battery.
I've left the park lights on one too many times
, and am getting tired of asking people to give me a push start when I return to the car and find a dead battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
They became mandatory in Canada in 1989. Before that date of manufacture they are not needed, legally speaking. But with the low profile of a Corvette to oncoming traffic they are a nice inexpensive safety feature. Google "WebElectric" and look for DRL-1, universal. The pic shows them on my (former) 1967 coupe. I have a kit for my 1974 but it's one of those round-to-its.
The control module operates the bright (turn signal) filament of the #1157 front bulbs. The kit does not connect the tail light bulbs but they will not be seen during the daytime in any case.
The circuitry does not involve cutting into the main wiring harness but some splicing into the front turn/parking pigtails must be done. Power is via a wire (included) right back to an ignition-switched terminal (IGN)on the fusebox. So when the engine is running you have bright DRLs. I added a toggle switch under the dash to give me the option of manually turning them off if need be. Good luck!
The control module operates the bright (turn signal) filament of the #1157 front bulbs. The kit does not connect the tail light bulbs but they will not be seen during the daytime in any case.
The circuitry does not involve cutting into the main wiring harness but some splicing into the front turn/parking pigtails must be done. Power is via a wire (included) right back to an ignition-switched terminal (IGN)on the fusebox. So when the engine is running you have bright DRLs. I added a toggle switch under the dash to give me the option of manually turning them off if need be. Good luck!
Last edited by Paul L; May 26, 2010 at 07:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Off the top of my head that shouldn't be too tough to do. You just need a key on power wire.
For instance on your 77 if you run a wire from the 12 pink at the dist to any of your brown parking light wires anytime the key is on or the engine is running the parking lights will be on.
(Note- when the parking lights are turned on with the HL switch the dist will have power -- a diode from Radio Shack can fix this. )
So a wire with a diode and in-line fuse should fix you up.
You can also use a simple relay triggered from any key on wire.
For instance on your 77 if you run a wire from the 12 pink at the dist to any of your brown parking light wires anytime the key is on or the engine is running the parking lights will be on.
(Note- when the parking lights are turned on with the HL switch the dist will have power -- a diode from Radio Shack can fix this. )
So a wire with a diode and in-line fuse should fix you up.
You can also use a simple relay triggered from any key on wire.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It's too difficult to pull the headlight switch out to the parking light detent when you start the car???? 
P.S. I guess, since there is no "Headlight ON" alarm, there would be a problem with leaving them on by mistake.
P.S. I guess, since there is no "Headlight ON" alarm, there would be a problem with leaving them on by mistake.
Last edited by 7T1vette; May 26, 2010 at 09:33 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,052
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From: FL
But just add a "Headlight ON" alarm. My '75 came with one stock.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Another option is to use running lamps behind the grilles. Vertical steel framing is there for the mounting. The pic is from ~10 years ago when I was driving a 1979. The lamps are Hella OptiLux. The circuit in this case is separate from ignition and controlled via a toggle switch hidden under the dash.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...ion2.1.9.shtml
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
New cars have to have DRL. If your '75 didn't come with them then you don't need them. Like pointed out above they sure can't hurt anything to have them on our C3's unless you forget to turn them off and your date takes a taxi home 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
The DRLs I have referenced are ignition-switched. When you go to the submarine races they go off. OK, submarine races....does that date me?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
1990 + model year cars require DRL's by law........earlier models do not require them to be retrofitted, although it is really easy. Hook up the DRL relay to the fuel pump and you're good to go.
There is no law that states otherwise in any province, or federally for that matter.
There is no law that states otherwise in any province, or federally for that matter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The law recently changed in Nova Scotia. Cars with antique plates are exempt.
Nova Scotia, Canada
New Daytime Running Lights Legislation Comes into Effect
April 7, 2009 12:23 PM
New legislation supporting road safety comes into effect Monday, April 13, with the mandatory use of daytime running lights.
"We are confident that the added safety that daytime running lights provide will benefit all road users," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Brooke Taylor.
Passed in the fall session of the legislature, the new law will require drivers to use low-beam headlights during daylight hours if they do not have automatic daytime running lights. Daytime running lights have been shown to reduce daytime injury crashes by three to 10 percent.
While daytime running lights are mandatory on all vehicles manufactured and sold in Canada after 1990, there are a number of vehicles on Nova Scotia's roads that were built prior to that time. Antique cars are exempt.
The fines, including court costs, will range from $164.50 for the first offence to $337.00 for the third and subsequent offences.
Information on the daytime running lights legislation can be found on the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.
Nova Scotia, Canada
New Daytime Running Lights Legislation Comes into Effect
April 7, 2009 12:23 PM
New legislation supporting road safety comes into effect Monday, April 13, with the mandatory use of daytime running lights.
"We are confident that the added safety that daytime running lights provide will benefit all road users," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Brooke Taylor.
Passed in the fall session of the legislature, the new law will require drivers to use low-beam headlights during daylight hours if they do not have automatic daytime running lights. Daytime running lights have been shown to reduce daytime injury crashes by three to 10 percent.
While daytime running lights are mandatory on all vehicles manufactured and sold in Canada after 1990, there are a number of vehicles on Nova Scotia's roads that were built prior to that time. Antique cars are exempt.
The fines, including court costs, will range from $164.50 for the first offence to $337.00 for the third and subsequent offences.
Information on the daytime running lights legislation can be found on the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Yup no submarine races for a few decades now Paul. 
As for NS, they are idiots. If they say it reduces crashes by 10% and have documentation to prove it then that's fine.
Saying it reduces daytime accidents by 3 to 10 % means they have no data to back it up and 3% is a margin of error in just about any analysis that can be done on anything, complete stupidity. New cars that's fine, making C3 drivers drive with there headlights up, all the time day or night is pathetic
I would be OK thought as I own a Historic, and quite rare I might add, 600hp 427ci small block 1980 Corvette with 5 speed OD
As for NS, they are idiots. If they say it reduces crashes by 10% and have documentation to prove it then that's fine.
Saying it reduces daytime accidents by 3 to 10 % means they have no data to back it up and 3% is a margin of error in just about any analysis that can be done on anything, complete stupidity. New cars that's fine, making C3 drivers drive with there headlights up, all the time day or night is pathetic
I would be OK thought as I own a Historic, and quite rare I might add, 600hp 427ci small block 1980 Corvette with 5 speed OD
Last edited by MotorHead; May 27, 2010 at 12:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 494
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Wow, Thanks for all the replys guys. You have given me some good options to research....I would like to do this more for my own peace of mind, rather than to make the cops happy. I know that I can see cars that have lights on much better than one without, and my park lights on should at least help.
Thanks again....
Thanks again....
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-options.html
This thread dealt with the headlights/halos, you might find this to be your solution...
This thread dealt with the headlights/halos, you might find this to be your solution...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Yup no submarine races for a few decades now Paul.
As for NS, they are idiots. If they say it reduces crashes by 10% and have documentation to prove it then that's fine.
Saying it reduces daytime accidents by 3 to 10 % means they have no data to back it up and 3% is a margin of error in just about any analysis that can be done on anything, complete stupidity.
As for NS, they are idiots. If they say it reduces crashes by 10% and have documentation to prove it then that's fine.
Saying it reduces daytime accidents by 3 to 10 % means they have no data to back it up and 3% is a margin of error in just about any analysis that can be done on anything, complete stupidity.
I see at least one or two cars every evening with no taillights on.....
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Auto this and Auto that,what the hell AND now I see some models actually parallel park the fricken car for you (while your sexting,watching Tv and changing the baby's diaper. ).
