I rewired my DDE's as switchable daytime running lights. I got annoyed that when my lights were wired up to the parking lights, I couldn't run them on overcast and rainy days without turning on my parking lights and gauges. Turning on the lights and guages during the day made them very difficult to read. I considered just wiring my DDE's to a switched power source that would turn them on when the car was on, but I didn't always want them on during the day - just on overcast days when they'd actually be noticable. Plus, I didn't want to lose the delay after the car is turned off - Hey, when else can I enjoy the look of the DDE's but when I'm walking away!?

IMHO the switch is the solution to the best of both worlds.

When the switch is "on": The DDE's come on when the car is on.
When the switch is "off": The DDE's come on only when the parking lights or headlights are turned on. The DDE's remain on after the car is turned off for a little while when the stalk is set to "auto"

The finished product:


How-to and pics are here: http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/dde_switch.html

Please let me know if anything in the how-to is unclear. And thanks goes to 2k2MerlotSE for helping me with editing the writeup.

 

Excellent write up. Very easy to follow. I completed mine this weekend and works great.

thanks again housecor.

Jr

 

I don't have DDEs, but looks awesome! Makes me wish I had them

 

Cool. I still haven't done my install yet!

So with Umnitza's directions, do you just wire the DDE to your parking lights then?

 

Looks great. I wired mine to my parking lights, but also wired them to a switch in the cabin so I can kill them if I choose to do so.




-Steve

 

Yes.


I went a different route. I did not want them on at all with the parking lights, only when I put them on.

I ran the a cable to the trigger cable( off the dde's) and ran one cable to a ground source and aother tap into a 12v power source. Now the lights only come one when I flip the switch.

good luck.

 

that is an awesome web-site

 

Keep up the good work.

 

excellent write up. housecor, what do you do for a living? you seem very mechanically inclined.

 

Thanks man. Actually, I'm a software engineer. Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work...

 

well, your write ups are very professional but to the point.

 

well done!

 

I said it before and I'll say it again. Good job, housecor. Your site is an awesome resource.

 

Yeah, forgot to mention that...your website is awesome. Good info. and very nicely organized...

 

I just installed mine, using a different method. I wired my DDE switch to the electric mirrors switch. I can turn the DDE off anytime. Even if I leave them in the ON position, they turn off with the car.

 

DIY? ......

 

housecor :

still waiting for your write-up of the fuel filter change...

 

Yes, of course. I wanted the option of having them on completely independent of any lights if I want, yet still not worry about having to turn them off manually

Can't wait to get my replacement ring and install the other side!

 

so where is the write-up??

housecor, sorry for pwhoring your thread

 

Actually, that's exactly how my lights function with the writeup I've already posted. Guess I should clarify the operation description. Anyway, good work!

 

I've been sitting on the supplies for a few weeks - just waiting for a free weekend to do the project. Hopefully soon.