Solar charging & Philips DRL's

[musthave]

I reinstalled my solar panels and my Victron controller and finally got it all back up and running with thanks to @sdnative . Previously I had a dual battery setup up front, but have since moved to a single battery on the PS side of the vehicle.

The DRL's work through a little controller that turns them on when it senses a battery charge, ie. the vehicle is on and the alternator is charging. Works great.

But, as you guessed, with the solar MPPT controller charging the start battery, the controller for the DRL's sees that it is charging the battery and turns the DRL's on. It actually sequences on, off, on, off, etc. as that is the way the solar charger controller charges the battery.

I may be putting my 2nd battery in the back, but that's a whole different set of problems, though it would resolve this issue.

I am wondering how to prevent the DRL's from coming on while I am charging the start battery. Short of having a switch up front to turn on/off the DRL's positive wire, I don't see a way to do it. Though I am sure someone else has encountered this issue and resolved it without a switch.

 

[TYM4FUN]

I reinstalled my solar panels and my Victron controller and finally got it all back up and running with thanks to @sdnative . Previously I had a dual battery setup up front, but have since moved to a single battery on the PS side of the vehicle.

The DRL's work through a little controller that turns them on when it senses a battery charge, ie. the vehicle is on and the alternator is charging. Works great.

But, as you guessed, with the solar MPPT controller charging the start battery, the controller for the DRL's sees that it is charging the battery and turns the DRL's on. It actually sequences on, off, on, off, etc. as that is the way the solar charger controller charges the battery.

I may be putting my 2nd battery in the back, but that's a whole different set of problems, though it would resolve this issue.

I am wondering how to prevent the DRL's from coming on while I am charging the start battery. Short of having a switch up front to turn on/off the DRL's positive wire, I don't see a way to do it. Though I am sure someone else has encountered this issue and resolved it without a switch.

Philips?? I have, many Moons ago. It is my guess they are not engineered the way they say they are. In your situation I can see why, but mine was different. Mine would flash engine off and running a 12v fridge. I contacted them and they sent a replacement to no avail...It is my guess that they operate on an amperage signal, not voltage. Hence why mine would flash on an amp draw....

My solution was to cut out the Hi/Lo controller and hard wire to an ACC 12v signal. You will lose the 2 stage light output for day and night, and only have the brighter day setting, but gets rid of this problem.

I still absolutely love these DRL's....

 

[musthave]

Philips?? I have, many Moons ago. It is my guess they are not engineered the way they say they are. In your situation I can see why, but mine was different. Mine would flash engine off and running a 12v fridge. I contacted them and they sent a replacement to no avail...It is my guess that they operate on an amperage signal, not voltage. Hence why mine would flash on an amp draw....

My solution was to cut out the Hi/Lo controller and hard wire to an ACC 12v signal. You will lose the 2 stage light output for day and night, and only have the brighter day setting, but gets rid of this problem.

I still absolutely love these DRL's....

Perhaps that's a better way to do it. Run to ACC 12V vs. direct to battery. They are phenomenal DRL's.

 

[LandLocked93]

I reinstalled my solar panels and my Victron controller and finally got it all back up and running with thanks to @sdnative . Previously I had a dual battery setup up front, but have since moved to a single battery on the PS side of the vehicle.

The DRL's work through a little controller that turns them on when it senses a battery charge, ie. the vehicle is on and the alternator is charging. Works great.

But, as you guessed, with the solar MPPT controller charging the start battery, the controller for the DRL's sees that it is charging the battery and turns the DRL's on. It actually sequences on, off, on, off, etc. as that is the way the solar charger controller charges the battery.

I may be putting my 2nd battery in the back, but that's a whole different set of problems, though it would resolve this issue.

I am wondering how to prevent the DRL's from coming on while I am charging the start battery. Short of having a switch up front to turn on/off the DRL's positive wire, I don't see a way to do it. Though I am sure someone else has encountered this issue and resolved it without a switch.

I'd prefer a switch simply for maximum control.
But couldn't you wire the DRL controller to a switched ACC circuit? Pull power from behind the ignition switch, not before.
Nothing behind the switch can see what's going on at the battery with the key out.

 

[TYM4FUN]

But couldn't you wire the DRL controller to a switched ACC circuit? Pull power from behind the ignition switch, not before.
Nothing behind the switch can see what's going on at the battery with the key out.

This was my recommendation and solution on post #2. DRL's 2nd main benefit is the set it and forget it. The way I see it, having a switch to always remember defeats this benefit and adds no value...

 

[Delta VS]

Are these DRLs different bulbs in the stock headlight bulb location? Or are they standalone lights attached to the bumper/etc? If they are standalones, absolutely just run an acc power wire to a relay/whatever, as mentioned by @TYM4FUN

Do you have a link to these by any chance? Sounds intriguing…

 

[musthave]

Are these DRLs different bulbs in the stock headlight bulb location? Or are they standalone lights attached to the bumper/etc? If they are standalones, absolutely just run an acc power wire to a relay/whatever, as mentioned by @TYM4FUN

Do you have a link to these by any chance? Sounds intriguing…

They can be found in France still. Wide slot cutouts on ARB work great. I made an insert for them. Super bright.

The down side of ACC 12V is that they don’t stay on gor 30 seconds after you hit the remote to lock. I think I’m going to just have to solve my battery in the back issue first. Unfortunately.

 

[musthave]

Here’s what they look like.

 

[Delta VS]

They can be found in France still. Wide slot cutouts on ARB work great. I made an insert for them. Super bright.

The down side of ACC 12V is that they don’t stay on gor 30 seconds after you hit the remote to lock. I think I’m going to just have to solve my battery in the back issue first. Unfortunately.

So you want them to stay on for 30? Or not stay on for 30?

do you have a model number or soemthing for goo-gel?

 

[TYM4FUN]

I have these

Are these DRLs different bulbs in the stock headlight bulb location? Or are they standalone lights attached to the bumper/etc? If they are standalones, absolutely just run an acc power wire to a relay/whatever, as mentioned by @TYM4FUN

Do you have a link to these by any chance? Sounds intriguing…

Amazon product ASIN B005DX6BKW

 

[musthave]

So you want them to stay on for 30? Or not stay on for 30?

do you have a model number or soemthing for goo-gel?

Posted a better pic ^

Let me see if I can get p/n.

I want it to stay on for 30 seconds or so after I hit lock on remote.

 

[musthave]

I have these

Amazon product ASIN B005DX6BKW
What I have.

Yes, those are the ones. They make other sizes too.

 

[Delta VS]

Posted a better pic ^

Let me see if I can get p/n.

I want it to stay on for 30 seconds or so after I hit lock on remote.

Well, instead of a normal hella type relay, you can get really inexpensive timer relays that could easily handle that for you. Been experimenting with them for side mirror heater circuit. Lots of different configurations available (via an app), and one is “delayed shutoff”. Will see if I can find it.

 

[TYM4FUN]

My install going on 9 years now..

 

[musthave]

Well, instead of a normal hella type relay, you can get really inexpensive timer relays that could easily handle that for you. Been experimenting with them for side mirror heater circuit. Lots of different configurations available (via an app), and one is “delayed shutoff”. Will see if I can find it.

Awesome, thank you.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Sounds intriguing…

You would love them. A perfect modern upgrade that is clean and bright.

 

[Delta VS]

Awesome, thank you.

10 Amp Mini Timer Time Delay Relay .2 Sec to 400 days 6V 12V 18V. Power On Off Delay, Cycling and Trigger - - Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com:443/dp/B01HNDOCKK/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_glt_fabc_38EYCHVYKRQMTPYDKBKN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ml1&tag=deltavs-20 and if you visit that company’s site directly you can see other models and get some additional info before ordering.

 

[jonheld]

Why all the complexity for DRLs? Mine are off the CIG fuse and controlled with a dash switch so I can turn them off at will. I leave the switch on 99% of the time and have DRLs. KISS.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Why all the complexity for DRLs? Mine are off the CIG fuse and controlled with a dash switch so I can turn them off at will. I leave the switch on 99% of the time and have DRLs. KISS.

There isn't. You added complexity with your switch. You do not need it.

I get OP's want of the delay. It is nice for exiting the vehicle and having temporary lighting.

 

[musthave]

There isn't. You added complexity with your switch. You do not need it.

I get OP's want of the delay. It is nice for exiting the vehicle and having temporary lighting.

The 30 second delay is great. The relay that @Delta VS suggested might be the ticket.

Avoiding the on/off with the solar charger is / was the original issue.