converting fog lights to daytime running lights

[stray dingo]

I have no need for the fog lights - I find they do very little overall. So considering converting them to daytime running lights instead. Vic Roads has forwarded the regulations in regards to it and there seems to be no restriction on them in that location (whether the cops still consider them fog lights and fine for running them is another argument)

The only requirements from Vic Roads is that they are disabled when the main lights are activated, and no more than 25W.

Is there any reason I can't snip the wires to send them to a new relay? Would anything need to be done to the dash switch to 'disable' it?

[Epic pooh]

You can get a set of osram lights that are fog and drl and are a direct replacement for the existing fogs. I don't know where you could source them in Australia but they are available from the uk quite readily. If you look on disco3.co.uk you will find threads about the by Steve from Advanced factors.

edit: exxy ... http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic102948.html

[stray dingo]

thanks, I like the idea of those.

however, i have a bullbar on, so I think just a H3 (?) replacement globe in the existing housing.

the other thought I've since had is remove the parker/indicator combo from the bar and replace with a white led unit instead, and just leave the fog lights alone...

[ryrrek]

I fitted the Osram LEDriving DRLs to my D4 at the weekend, and they look great and work very well. My D4 had the spare wiring connector available, and it was only necessary to remove a tiny amount of excess plastic to fit them exactly where the original fogs are. Mounting locations and screws are identical. The DRLs are bright and attractive, the fog lamp section is much better than the original fogs, and the cornering lamp is a useful addition (my HSE already has factory cornering lamps as well). All in all, simple to install and recommended. I have a trade account with Cooldrive (auto electrical wholesaler), and they were under $300.

[idrabble]

whether the cops still consider them fog lights and fine for running them is another argument

Just move to Qld, every other driver here seems to think that running with fog lights on all the time makes them look cool, it blinds other drivers as fog lights have a wide dispersal pattern and the police do nothing about it.

[Celtoid]

Just move to Qld, every other driver here seems to think that running with fog lights on all the time makes them look cool, it blinds other drivers as fog lights have a wide dispersal pattern and the police do nothing about it.

Not true ... a mate of mine a year or so ago, had just driven his car through fog in Toowoomba, forgot to turn them off when the fog cleared and a few minutes later he got booked....*****!

Other than that, I agree .... WTF do you need them for during the day or night?

[idrabble]

Not true ... a mate of mine a year or so ago, had just driven his car through fog in Toowoomba, forgot to turn them off when the fog cleared and a few minutes later he got booked....*****!

Other than that, I agree .... WTF do you need them for during the day or night?

Your mate must be the unluckiest bloke in Qld :(

Its been foggy in Brisbane this morning and you wouldn't believe the number of people I saw with side lights on with fog lights. Do these people not think that if they need their fog lights that headlights may help?

And the worst part is that rear fog lights will be switched on in cars for days afterwards, I personally think that rear fog lights (at least) should self cancel after the ignition is turned off, they are so blinding at night.

That's it, rant of the day over :D

[Jimlr]

In fog, the worst you can do is put the headlamps on - hence the wide and low dispersal pattern of fogs. Headlamps simply illuminate every moisture droplet in front of you, and reflect it straight back in your face, creating a wall of light you can't see through! Side lights and fog lights in fog is the correct approach :).

That's it, driver training session of the day over :)

[SBD4]

Your mate must be the unluckiest bloke in Qld :(

Its been foggy in Brisbane this morning and you wouldn't believe the number of people I saw with side lights on with fog lights. Do these people not think that if they need their fog lights that headlights may help?

And the worst part is that rear fog lights will be switched on in cars for days afterwards, I personally think that rear fog lights (at least) should self cancel after the ignition is turned off, they are so blinding at night.

That's it, rant of the day over :D

This is an issue for older cars - all the modern LR's cancel fog lights front and rear when the ignition is switched off.

[stray dingo]

In my last 4wd, I got pulled over in Kalgoorlie one night for having left them on while driving around taking photos.
Rather than book me for the lights, or my front number plate being covered so he couldn't read it when getting my details, the cop start giving directions of where to get the best night photos in town, what was worth visiting and what wasn't etc.
So by leaving them on, i got a great roving Visitor Information Centre instead
:)

[superquag]

IF you must have 'DayLight Look-at-Me Lights' then perhaps some LED drop-in "H1" / "H2" replacements would fit the bill. The more honest websites will tell you that the lack of output makes them suitable only for exhibition/display purposes, not on-road. - Perfect for being seen & noticed, but without the glare and distraction of bright lights. Remember, all is never perfect, and road conditions, load, adjustment etc can cause your ideal alignment to be out....

The other issue (hinted at) is the OEM fog luminaires are not properly designed. Ideally, all the light is controlled into a perfectly cut off, flat and wide beam, with NO light escaping to cause glare. I'd suggest the UK replacements mentioned are better in this respect.


The worst offenders are those sexy curvy strings of LEDs, found even on new trucks & busses. Problem with those is... whilst the overall low level of light is "legal" the fact is that each tiny little LED die puts out so much light relative to its small size... that the lumens per square mm is ridiculously high.
The human eye was not designed/evolved to deal with this un-natural state and the iris (variable size black hole, a.k.a. pupil) does not shrink enough...and you end up with the discomfort and distraction of glare.
- Moths are not the only creatures that cannot resist looking at the brightest light ! The one you dazzle might be the one that...:eek:


The most effective DRLs were the original VW (6v) headlights, :wasntme: and later on the little 5W globe inside the standard 7" headlamp.

Volvo, who used to have 25W DRLs in one of their square models... quietly deleted them after a couple of years. Reckon they knew something about Safety vs Fashion...

[lpj]

Just been driving through Sassafras in Melbourne. Fog is so thick you can barely see 20 feet in front. It amazes me how many people are driving in these conditions with NO LIGHTS AT ALL.
Whether you want to call them fog lights or "look at me lights"- some light is better than no lights at all in just about any conditions.

[BigJon]

I fitted the Osram LEDriving DRLs .

Do you have a part number for the light kit?

[JayBee75]

Out of interest on this topic, whats the best way to potentially do the factory LED conversion on the current Model D4's.

Whilst mine is a HSE and has the LEDs as parking lights in the main light assembly, you still have to turn them on and off.
Can you retro fit the LR D4 factory LEDs as pictured?

Best place to buy other than LR?

[connock]

What is wrong with the old fashion way , simply switch on your parkers and or headlights?? if you feel the need to be seen. Driving with headlights on in the bush should be compulsory though.
Personally I wish the cops would clamp down on people with them on especially on clear days/nights

Just my opinion
connock

[SBD4]

Out of interest on this topic, whats the best way to potentially do the factory LED conversion on the current Model D4's.

Whilst mine is a HSE and has the LEDs as parking lights in the main light assembly, you still have to turn them on and off.
Can you retro fit the LR D4 factory LEDs as pictured?

Best place to buy other than LR?

You can. You need this kit(VPLAV0066) which is quite pricey but has all the hardware required for the installation:
:: Duckworth Land Rover Discovery 4 Lighting Accessories (http://www.duckworthparts.co.uk/landrover/accessories_dis4_Lighting.html)

Here's a copy of the instructions to give you idea of what's involved in installing them:
http://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/topix/service/document/170295#toolbar=1&statusbar=0&messages=0&navpanes=0

[JayBee75]

You can. You need this kit(VPLAV0066) which is quite pricey but has all the hardware required for the installation:
:: Duckworth Land Rover Discovery 4 Lighting Accessories (http://www.duckworthparts.co.uk/landrover/accessories_dis4_Lighting.html)

Here's a copy of the instructions to give you idea of what's involved in installing them:
http://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/topix/service/document/170295#toolbar=1&statusbar=0&messages=0&navpanes=0

Ouch!

RRP £433.58

Do we know if anyone has done it with aftermarkets like you can buy on fleabay? wonder what mounts would be required?

[ryrrek]

Do you have a part number for the light kit?

Hi BigJon,

LEDFOG101 is the part number.

Kerry

[discojools]

Why don't you run with sidelights or even dipped beam? Save allot of trouble and expense!

[Basil135]

Ouch!

RRP £433.58

Do we know if anyone has done it with aftermarkets like you can buy on fleabay? wonder what mounts would be required?

My, not so local, pre-delivery manager pointed out the error of my ways in requesting the genuine DRL Led's when I got my car last year... ;)

The cost of the unit is about half of what I would have had to pay, and the rest in the install :eek:

However, stay tuned, as I believe that very soon, there could be another option fitted that will look smick.. :cool:

[BigJon]

Driving with park lights only turned on is not legal. ( Directed at discojools and connock).

[BMKal]

In my last 4wd, I got pulled over in Kalgoorlie one night for having left them on while driving around taking photos.
Rather than book me for the lights, or my front number plate being covered so he couldn't read it when getting my details, the cop start giving directions of where to get the best night photos in town, what was worth visiting and what wasn't etc.
So by leaving them on, i got a great roving Visitor Information Centre instead
:)

You must have struck a differrent copper than I did .................... :p

[JayBee75]

My, not so local, pre-delivery manager pointed out the error of my ways in requesting the genuine DRL Led's when I got my car last year... ;)

The cost of the unit is about half of what I would have had to pay, and the rest in the install :eek:

However, stay tuned, as I believe that very soon, there could be another option fitted that will look smick.. :cool:

That's Just Teasing,

Do Tell!:p

[Redback]

I want to turn my fog lights yellow.

Baz.

[stray dingo]

While not everyone likes 'DayLight Look-at-Me Lights', its truly amazing how many stoopid people are out there are can't see a big white 4wd bearing down on them. To me, its nothing more than a passive safety feature that *I* think is worth while on my car....
I hate them over bright as Superquag noted above too and want to avoid that sort. One of the questions I asked Vic Roads was about intensity of light permitted, but they just came back with "25W". 25W is huge bright!!! (But then the regulation about not having high beams on with 200m of another car was from when cars were all running dull sealed beam lamps that produced less light than those used today) Regs need to be updated for LED technology.
But I digress....

I considered having head lights on all the time, and always do when touring with van in tow, or when off-road. But around town I don't want them on.... its just personal choice I guess.

Turns out I'm not spose to change the parker/indicator combo in the bull bar either - must have them duplicating the main assembly in case the bar obstructs vision from any angle (like a wheel carrier) so that seems to be ruled out also.

[Redback]

thanks, I like the idea of those.

however, i have a bullbar on, so I think just a H3 (?) replacement globe in the existing housing.

the other thought I've since had is remove the parker/indicator combo from the bar and replace with a white led unit instead, and just leave the fog lights alone...

My fog lights in the bullbar are H11.

Baz.

[BMKal]

I want to turn my fog lights yellow.

Baz.


My fog lights in the bullbar are H11.

Baz.

Porsche use Ziza H11 globes in their fog lights ...............

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1443.jpg

[discojools]

Driving with park lights only turned on is not legal. ( Directed at discojools and connock).

Didn't know that and I can't see what the reason might be! Maybe different here in Vic? I know that fog lights on when not foggy are definitely illegal here in Victoria. Doesn't stop about a third of drivers here having them on though, some about twice as bright as dipped beam...mostly on utes!
Strikes me that if the cops booked those drivers instead of the ones doing a couple ok over the speed limit they could make much more money for the state government!

[discotwinturbo]

Driving with park lights only turned on is not legal. ( Directed at discojools and connock).

Really ?

Do you mean the first turn on the dial, before the driving lights come on ?

I drive with my signature lights on all the time. I guess that may not / hope not apply to WA, was I have never been pulled over. I have driven this way, everyday, with every car I have owned and never knew that.

Do you have a link to some site that states that ?

Brett.....

[jonesy63]

I wonder how many drivers of old Volvos have been booked!? They were the original "look at me" cars. Hang on, that is a safety feature.

[LGM]

From the WA road rules:

USING FOG LIGHTS
The driver of a vehicle that is fitted with a front or rear fog light should not operate the front or rear fog light unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility.
Penalty: 1 demerit point and $100 fine
Driving a motor vehicle with both headlights and fog lights operating is an offence. A person should not drive a motor vehicle displaying light from a front fog light or lights, if any other light greater than 7 watts and capable of showing white light to the front, is alight. Fog lights should only be used with side or parking lights in adverse weather conditions.
Penalty: 1 demerit point and $100 fine

Hope that makes it clearer for us in foggy WA!:angel:

If you convert your fog lights to DRL's I am sure some bright uniformed person may not be that accepting of such a subtle change! Probably not a roadside discussion you would be likely to win:wasntme:

So that brings me to the next point when can we expect someone (with a bucket load of cash) to grab the new disco lights and grill and whack them onto the earlier version???? I reckon the new lights look great:cool:
Not quite so sure about the name on the bonnet as I am well used to Land Rover.

[BMKal]

So that brings me to the next point when can we expect someone (with a bucket load of cash) to grab the new disco lights and grill and whack them onto the earlier version???? I reckon the new lights look great:cool:
Not quite so sure about the name on the bonnet as I am well used to Land Rover.

Hmmmmm ............................. I've got both parked downstairs. :twisted:

My boss has recently taken delivery of a new D4, and mine (2011) is parked close to it.

Might have to sneak downstairs with some spanners while he's in a meeting. :angel:

Will need to be a long meeting though - there's an ARB Bullbar on the front of mine.

[LGM]

O.K. I have fixed the DRL / Fog light issue with a set of Osram combined DRL / Fog lights.

I am happy with the result. :D

Mind you I carry a copy of the regs and light docs just in case. :wasntme:

[irondoc]

The Osram combined lights are awesome.....

[sniegy]

I have been looking at the JW Speaker variants.
Headlights - Products - J.W. Speaker Corporation (http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/headlights/)

I have one of their lights in my Harley that is an LED headlight & my God it is Just Excellent.

Cheers

[LGM]

Hey Sniegy I reckon the JW Speaker lights would look the goods!

In my case I wanted something that would give me a bit of an edge at distance on the highway which where most of my driving takes place. I wasn't aware of the JW's so have not done any work to make a comparison on performance or price.

Either way, no matter what you fit it will be an improvement as well as a safety bonus.:cool:

[BigJon]

O.K. I have fixed the DRL / Fog light issue with a set of Osram combined DRL / Fog lights.

I am happy with the result. :D

Mind you I carry a copy of the regs and light docs just in case. :wasntme:

I have fitted a set of them to my Vogue. The DRLs are BRIGHT. So much so that I think they almost need dimming down a bit.

[sniegy]

Didn't happen without pic's :wasntme:
:p

[PeterOZ]

quite like the look of those Osrams. Might have to shout myself a pressie for the D3.:D