Technical Installing permanently-on LED side lights (for driving in the EU)

[OwenCr]

Hi there.
In 3 weeks time I am driving from UK to Europe in my Seicento. While I'm preparing a service for the car, I was wondering if there are any kits out there to install LED strip lights at the front, which are always on when the engine is running. ... this is a requirement in the European Union and you could get fined if the lights are off during daylight.

Currently, as with most UK cars registered before 2010 or so, I have to switch the side-lights / dipped lights on manually... but I would prefer an alternative to this, so that I don't need to engage the lights all the time, as well as save the existing bulbs.

Are there any kits and wiring instructions out there?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lunchbeers]

Plenty of kits out there, here’s one from a known good manufacturer:

Ring Lyra Dual Function LED Day / Night Lamp | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Ring Lyra Dual Function LED Day / Night Lamp boosts visibility in the day and oozes style at night. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Do a google for instructions, but in reality it’s probably quite simple.

 

[OwenCr]

Hi again.
Okay I've got the DRL lights in place. Now I just need to wire them.
I was thinking of using a fuse tap but I've also ordered a control unit which should arrive tomorrow.

Has anyone here wired a DRL via a fuse tap? If so, which fuse slot would you use? I want to try and avoid the fuse box inside the car and use either fuse boxes in the engine bay... but I notice that the fuse box near the battery is not the same as shown in the user manual.

Any ideas?

 

[Ralf S.]

On my Stilo I used a piggyback fuse from the fuse that powered the optional sunroof, since it powered itself off after a delay.
The LEDs were activated by a separate switch I installed.. so I needed a means to have them turn off if I left them on accidentally.

You probably don't have a sunroof fuse available, since the Seicento only had a manual roof... but if you have a cigarette lighter in the car then I would just connect your live feed to that. You probably never use the lighter .. but it's a hefty circuit @ probably 30amps.. so it can easily cope with 2A of LED.

Just check that it's not permanently live.. most lighters aren't... but I've heard of some that are.


Ralf S.