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Well, about the “everyone” we got excited: demand gave birth to such an offer that it is simply unrealistic to buy and test all models. Incidentally, this was clearly visible at the Automechanika and Interauto exhibitions held in Moscow. We decided to choose samples with different characteristics: cheap and very expensive, with and without control units, rectangular and round, plastic and metal …
All together promise enhanced road safety and energy saving (the latter is true). Moreover, the smaller the contribution to security, the greater the savings - not only energy, but also money. No wonder: weak LEDs are cheap and barely eat electricity. Not blinded by the light (often very dim), the eyes literally run up, but it’s clear: it will be possible to choose a lamp that is most suitable for the design and method of fastening on any car.
In general, a dozen products, both branded and no name, were accumulated. The latter is literally: neither the manufacturer nor the country of origin advertised themselves. But many loudly declare full compliance with the requirements of ECE R48. But there is one trick: the mentioned EU rules (and the corresponding GOST R 41.48-2004) apply to the installation of these lights, but not to them. But the requirements for DRL are set out in another document: ECE R87 (GOST R 41.87–99). It says in it how bright and where the correct lanterns should shine, what should be the color of their glow and the area of the visible surface.
It is on these requirements that the majority of manufacturers of cheap DRL stumble. Only very powerful and expensive LEDs can provide the luminous intensity of each lamp within 400-800 cd. Easier with a total visible luminous surface, which should be at least 40 cm². But, apparently, the authors of a number of products do not attach importance to such a “trifle” - all the same, after all, their flashlights are dim, and where there is one violation, there are two …
IN THE STORE YOU DO NOT CHECK THE REAL BRIGHTNESS OF DRL. CHOOSE LANTERNS IN THE METAL CASE: POWERFUL LEDS PUT ONLY SUCH
Products are arranged in increasing order of value
Super 6 LED sports TTX-1015
Origin China
one
Estimated price 475 rub.
Number of LEDs 6
Current Consumption 140 mA
Light intensity 18 cd
Dimensions of the diffuser 115 × 10 mm
1–1
The frail LEDs in the plastic case shine extremely dim, the mount is unreliable, the luminous area is almost half the norm. They are fastened to a bracket by a flypaper, and already he - on two self-tapping screws.
LED Daytime Running Light BF-201
Origin unknown
2
Estimated price 1000 rub
Number of LEDs 4
Power Consumption 120 mA
Light intensity 80 cd
Diffuser dimensions Ø 70 mm
2–2
Plastic flashlights are mounted on brackets with adjustable angle, to the bumper - self-tapping screws. The light is weak. Thank you, although they did not save on the reflector area.
SONG-YE
Origin unknown
3
Estimated price 1045 rub
Number of LEDs 8
Current Consumption 360 mA
Light intensity 27 cd
Dimensions of the diffuser 155 × 17 mm
3–3
The instructions indicate: 100% Waterproof, but the pictograms on the box prohibit washing plastic lights in any way except with a sponge, and without shampoo! They shine weakly.
Maxlight M320D
Origin unknown
four
Estimated price of 1425 rubles
Number of LEDs 20
Current consumption 260 mA
Light intensity 108 cd
Diffuser dimensions 185 × 25 mm
4–4
The yellow wire indicated on the diagram for connecting to the side lights … is missing! The light is rather weak, but the luminous area is within the standard. Mounting plastic lights - on the bracket, adjustable.
DRL F1
Origin unknown
five
Estimated price of 1425 rubles
Number of LEDs 8
Current Consumption 480 mA
Light intensity 54 cd
Dimensions of the diffuser 150 × 20 × 50 mm
(club-shaped)
5–5
The instructions indicate the ability to automatically disconnect from the dimensions, but on the diagram and in life it is not. The light is dim, the size of the light spot is normal. Fastening to a vertical wall, on two through hollow bolts (wires are brought out through them). The case is plastic.
Egolight PL-8
Origin China
6
Estimated price 1, 615 rubles
Number of LEDs 8
Current consumption 100 mA
Luminous Intensity 55 cd
Dimensions of diffuser 155 × 20 mm
6-6
These plastic DRLs have no brightness. Mounting on brackets, adjustable in angle, then - Velcro or self-tapping screws.
LED Daytime Running Light NIUDI ND-06
Origin China
7
Estimated price 1990 rub
Number of LEDs 5
Current consumption 600 mA
Light intensity 140 cd
Dimensions of the diffuser 220 × 30 mm
7–7
It provides the ability to automatically turn off when the side lights are on, but there is ambiguity in the designation of the color of the wires. There are sealed connectors. Alas, the light is weak, and even one and a half margin in the area of the glow does not save the case. Mounting plastic lights - at the corners.
DRL Tiger Narva - ZR Choice
Origin China
eight
Estimated price 2900 rub
Number of LEDs 4
Current Draw 470 mA
Light intensity 533 cd
Dimensions of the diffuser 125 × 25 mm
8–8
The computer included in the set implements automatic switching on at voltages above 13.7 V (this allows you to connect directly to the battery) and turning it off when the dimensions are turned on. Brightness complies with the standards, the area, too. Mounting aluminum lights - on the brackets with latches.
STARLED AL-WL9B
Origin unknown
9
Estimated price 3000 rubles
Number of LEDs 9
Current consumption 1280 mA
Luminous Intensity 554 cd
Diffuser dimensions Ø 37 mm
9–9
The projector optical system and powerful LEDs in an aluminum casing helped fulfill the requirements for the brightness of the lights, but the luminous surface area is small. Mounting - on the bracket (at any angle) or with a back bolt.
OSRAM LED LIGHT @ DAY - Choice of SP
Origin Romania
ten
Estimated price 5500 rub
Number of LEDs 2 (with optical fiber)
Power Consumption 1170 mA
Light intensity 640 cd
Diffuser dimensions 160 × 30 mm
10–1
The attached ECU allows you to implement a complete shutdown when the dimensions are turned on, as well as a decrease in brightness. Aluminum DRLs automatically turn on at voltages above 13.6 V. Sealed connectors, fuse. Mounting - on brackets with latches.
Philips LED DayLight8
Origin Taiwan
eleven
Estimated price 7000 rub
Number of LEDs 8
Current consumption 1060 mA
Luminous intensity 566 cd
Diffuser dimensions 160 × 18 mm
11–1
A good-quality product in aluminum cases is automatically turned on when the voltage in the on-board network rises above 13.5 V. An automatic shutdown or decrease in brightness is realized when the dimensions are turned on. Fastening - on latches to an arm and on two self-tapping screws. Oh, it would be cheaper for these lanterns …
HELLA LEDayFlex 8
Origin Taiwan
12
Estimated price 13, 380 rubles
Number of LEDs 8 (in eight separate housings)
Current consumption 1000 mA
Light intensity 690 cd
Diffuser dimensions Ø 30 mm
12–1
Here, the computer only implements shutdown when the dimensions are working, but you need to connect it to the ignition terminal, not the battery. Attention: the black wire is … plus! In the expensive kit there are no brackets, no cable for connecting to the flight system. The brightness of aluminum flashlights and the total area of the glow is normal. If you have skillful hands, you can collect some drawing from the flashlights, but you will have to tinker with the installation.
QUESTION ANSWER
How to choose the best form of DRL?
Generally speaking, it is a matter of taste. But we must bear in mind the requirement of GOST 41.87–99: the total area of the luminous surface of the DRL should be at least 40 cm². For rectangular lanterns it is not difficult to measure with a ruler, but the round one should be at least 50 mm in diameter.
How to connect the DRL yourself so that they light up with the ignition on, but do not burn when the headlights are on?
We offer a couple of simple solutions. In the case of low-power DRLs, you can do with just one diode, see scheme 1:
20
For more high-current lights, pay attention to scheme 2: you will need only one additional automotive relay with normally closed contacts. In any case, the task of the craftsman is to find in the on-board network a wire to which power is supplied when the ignition is turned on, and another one going to the bulb of dimensions or dipped beam. If you purchased a product with an electronic unit, you only need to make a tap from the bulb. And connect the remaining two wires directly to the battery terminals. Do not reverse polarity - it is indicated in the instructions.
Which case is better - metal or plastic?
DRL enclosures are made of either aluminum alloy or plastic. So they will not rust. But there is one subtlety: LEDs, although they have high efficiency, are heated quite strongly, and overheating dramatically reduces the service life. Therefore, you need a good heat sink, and not a "thermos" with a plastic shell. Of course, if the current consumption is small - say, tens of milliamps - then there is practically nothing to dissipate. But the really bright DRLs already consume many hundreds of milliamps, so the plastic casing is unacceptable for them. However, manufacturers are aware of this. And if plastic is already offered, then there is nothing to rely on the luminous intensity corresponding to GOST. Most likely, this is just a beautiful trinket with lights.
Will the traffic police inspectors complain about the independently installed DRL?
The question is not simple. On the one hand, the SDA explicitly speaks of the inadmissibility of driving with DRLs instead of dipped headlights. In another document - the regulation - it is equally expressly forbidden to make any changes to the lighting equipment of the car. But we do not replace the standard headlights with something else, we just add a new set. In general, the situation is ambiguous.
Where and how to mount DRL?
In this regard, there are clear standards in GOST R 41.48–2004, in accordance with them you will have to choose a place. Most likely, you will install in the bumper or in the grooves of the radiator grille. Different DRLs are attached differently, so first figure out where they can be placed.
So, the outer edge of the DRL should be located no further than 400 mm from the edge of the car, and between the inner edges of the two DRLs there should be at least 600 mm (400 mm if the width of your car is less than 1300 mm). The height of the DRL installation above the ground is set quite freely: from 250 to 1500 mm, that is, you can also screw it onto the hood. But not on the windshield - there should be no visible reflections from the same hood!