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2020 headlight 12v wire

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by OrlandoOverland, Mar 24, 2023.

  1. Mar 24, 2023 at 6:05 PM
    #1
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    I have a 2020 trd pro that I am upgrading my fog lights to diode dynamics ss3 pro sae ambers. They come with a backlight wire and taps to piggyback off of the 12v wire that leads into the drl/high beams. I just need to know which wire to tap into and if this is a safe option. I don't plan on upgrading my headlights or bulbs any time soon if at all. The drl/high beams are on the left in this picture.Screenshot_20230324-115207.jpg Screenshot_20230324-000710.png Screenshot_20230324-000931.jpg
     
  2. Mar 24, 2023 at 7:23 PM
    #2
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    I think aftermarket drls use inj fuse tap from the fuse box. Not from the highbeam bulb. Since the drl is 12v pulse it might damage the relay prematurely.

    I run my grill lights from a wire tap from the 12v cigarette lighter.

    I used to use this Y connector to run my auxiliary lights when highbeam is on.
    https://amzn.to/3ZkpYzU
     
  3. Mar 25, 2023 at 12:48 AM
    #3
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    I'm not changing out my drl bulbs just using the 12v wire going into the OEM bulb to power the backlight feature of the new led fog lights. Backlighting is basically having them run in conjunction with the drl at about 10% brightness. The fog lights are specifically wired for this from diode dynamics with a stand alone wire in the wiring harness as pictured above. Thanks for the response
     
  4. Mar 25, 2023 at 6:28 AM
    #4
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    I'm also seeing now that the backlight wire can be tapped into the parking light just the same as the drl wire. I still run into the same issue as to figuring out which wire on either(drl or parking) is the hot/power wire going into either bulb. The owners manual doesn't say which is which on either. My parking lights are the auto on/dimming with the dash sensor. I don't know how that would work with the backlight function. Would they only power on when the parking lights turn on or would they pull power regardless of the parking lights being active?
     
  5. Mar 25, 2023 at 1:35 PM
    #5
    JETSPD1477

    JETSPD1477 New

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    While the DRL seems ideal - as mentioned the DRL bulbs are on a PWM circuit where 12v is pulsed instead of constant to obtain the dimmer luminescence for DRLs. If that circuit is used, the SS3 LED backlight will likely flicker.

    There isn't constant 12v going to the marker bulbs and the circuit is hot only if the lights are activated.

    The INJ fuse tap is a common source for 12v to provide power or switching for things/lighting up front.
     
  6. Mar 25, 2023 at 8:47 PM
    #6
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the information. I've seen the PWM circuit stuff but if I always run my DRLs with the auto setting on my light selector then i should be getting consistent power to the DRLs and then also the backlight on the SS3s right? I've decided against using the parking lights to tap into being that I never really use them meanwhile my DRLs are always on and then my headlights turn on after sunset meaning I should have power consistently going to that wire. I would just have to turn on my fogs on manually, which I have to do anyway, to get full power when the headlights are on. Unless what you're saying is that the wire going into the DRLs/highbeams only gets full 12v power under the high beam power request.
     
  7. Mar 26, 2023 at 1:53 AM
    #7
    JETSPD1477

    JETSPD1477 New

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    the DRL bulbs are a single filament bulb so the voltage is pulsed to achieve the dim drl luminance. since an incandescent filament bulb glows and fades slowly it won’t noticeably flicker like most LED modules under the same modulated circuit.

    you are correct about the high beams in which the voltage is no longer modulated when activated.
     
  8. Mar 26, 2023 at 6:14 AM
    #8
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    PXL_20230326_005302717.jpg PXL_20230326_005241798.jpg PXL_20230326_004746514.jpg PXL_20230326_004707683.jpg PXL_20230326_130226228.jpg

    I don't see a difference in the DRLs and full on headlights in the photos. Maybe the circuit is pulsing the DRLs and it's outputting a lower signal than the 12v for the headlights but it's really hard to tell. I do find it interesting that the manufacturer specifically noted the parking lights and side maker lights in the manual but do also say a fused 12v source.
     
  9. Mar 26, 2023 at 8:54 AM
    #9
    JETSPD1477

    JETSPD1477 New

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    compare how bright the bulb is in DRL compared to high beam. while 12v is present in that bulb it isn’t the same kind of 12v in drl or high beam.
     
  10. Mar 26, 2023 at 9:08 AM
    #10
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    PXL_20230326_122602509.jpg PXL_20230326_122452839.MP.jpg

    So I did that, kind of. To get my high beams to stay on I have to have my headlights running not my DRLs. Picture is at a different angle so the DRLs/headlights look a little different than the ones posted above
     
  11. Mar 26, 2023 at 9:12 AM
    #11
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    I wouldn't use the high beam/parking light wires being that I don't use the parking lights and very rarely use high beams and would want the constant power feed to the led backlight feature which wouldn't happen unless actively using either of those two lights in that housing/wire setup.
     
  12. Mar 26, 2023 at 9:14 AM
    #12
    OrlandoOverland

    OrlandoOverland [OP] New Member

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    I'm currently leaning towards using the marker lights as the power source. They are on when the DRLs are running and when the standard headlights are running. I just need to see if I can fit the wiring inside the sealed housing. Plus if they pulse when the blinkers blink I might get backlight fog light blinkers, unless I need a module or something for that
     

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