DIY running lights controller. A simple DRL controller without microcontrollers. Tested in the harsh conditions of the Yakutian winter. Making a control unit with your own hands
The device is designed to automatically turn on and off daytime running lights (DRL) when starting and stopping. Assembled on a simple and cheap PIC12F629 microcontroller. It has a sound alarm and other useful little things.
Brief logic of the device
1. Power supply 12v
2. When the ignition is turned on after passing 6 pulses from the speed sensor, DRL is turned on
3. When the dimensions are turned on, everything goes into normal mode
4. When the dimensions are off, go to step 2
5. When stopped (for example, in a traffic jam), the DRL will turn off after 3 minutes at the start of movement p. 2
6. When you stop and turn off the ignition, the DRL lights up for another 20 seconds and turns off (polite backlight).
Device operation mode:
1. When the ignition is off, the HL1 LED blinks at a frequency of 1 time per second (1Hz), signaling that the device is in standby mode (standby mode).
2. When the ignition is turned on, the HL1 LED starts to glow constantly, the microcontroller waits for the arrival of pulses from the speed sensor, and when the car starts moving, after 1 second, DRLs automatically light up and burn all the time until it stops.
3. During a stop, the DRL off time delay mode (3 minutes) is activated, this is signaled by the built-in Beeper (2 short beeps - this is when the ignition is on and the car is stopped), if the ignition is turned off at this time (for example, during a long parking) , 4 short beeps will sound, signaling that the DRL turn-on time delay of 20 seconds has turned on and then they will turn off (polite backlight mode), the device goes into standby mode.
4. When the side lights are turned on, the device automatically goes into standby mode, DRLs turn off (traffic rules), everything works in normal mode.
5. Polite backlight mode can be turned on as follows: turn on the ignition, while 2 short beeps will sound and immediately turn it off (4 beeps will sound), while the device will automatically switch to polite backlight mode. If you want to turn off the DRL without waiting for the time delay, you should turn on and immediately turn off the marker lights.
6. LED HL2 indicates the status of the DRL (Lights - DRLs are working, off - DRLs are not working)
The applied relay, for the maximum current passing through the contacts 10A, if you suddenly want to use this device to automatically turn on the BS, it is better to install an additional relay of the SLC - 12VDC - SL - C type, the maximum current of the contacts is 30A, this is quite enough to control the BS. LEDs HL1 and HL2 are installed in a convenient place, such as in the dashboard. Pishalka (BUZZER) is also installed in a place convenient for the driver. The photo of the assembled device shows that the LEDs are on the printed circuit board itself, but this was done only to debug the circuit. Installation is arbitrary!
The applied relay, for the maximum current passing through the contacts 10A, if you suddenly want to use this device to automatically turn on the BS, it is better to install an additional relay of the SLC - 12VDC - SL - C type, the maximum current of the contacts is 30A, this is quite enough to control the BS. LEDs HL1 and HL2 are installed in a convenient place, such as in the dashboard. Pishalka (BUZZER) is also installed in a place convenient for the driver. The photo of the assembled device shows that the LEDs are on the printed circuit board itself, but this was done only to debug the circuit. Installation is arbitrary!
Here is such a tautology. But nevertheless, written, according to syntactic, spelling and semantic rules, has the right to life. Author's Note: A controller is an electronics control device; microcontroller - a miniature part of the controller based on an integrated circuit.
If your car is not equipped with standard daytime running lights, and the use of main headlights is too wasteful for you, the Traffic Rules of the Russian Federation allow fog lights to be used to mark the vehicle during daylight hours.
But this option is rational only if the power of the bulbs in the fog lights is less than the power of the bulbs in the main headlights. If this is not the case, then the installation of DRL cannot be avoided. In general, at the moment, the installation of DRLs on a vehicle in operation is not mandatory, but by 2016, all vehicles must be equipped with daytime running lights.
As a result, the conclusion suggests itself - to unambiguously install DRL.
To do this, you can use the services of a specialized auto center, or you can independently perform this not very complicated operation. Of course, a lot depends on the car (the laboriousness of removing the dashboard and bumper) and on the origin of the DRL kit itself (factory production or homemade). It should be recalled that self-installed navigation lights must comply with the requirements of GOST R 41.48-2004 (UNECE Regulations No. 48 and No. 87) or clause 1.3.29 of Appendix No. 5 to the "Technical Regulations for the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles".
DRL controller based on relay
Most cars have stock factory fog lights. But not all drivers use them. The reasons are different: there is no need, the headlights are too voracious or simply inefficient. Here they can be converted into running lights. Light bulbs, of course, will have to be changed to LED-analogues (light-emitting diode). This will give good savings. energy and, importantly, will allow neglecting the consumed current when calculating the electrical mnemonic circuit.
Next, you will need to change the regular switching scheme. This is where you will need (with a high degree of probability) the removal of the dashboard and bumper. According to the reviews of the workers, this is done in a little over an hour. After gaining access to the onboard wiring, we switch everything as follows:
It is important to ensure the correct operation of the navigation lights: they must turn on when the ignition key is turned to the position that ensures the operation of the engine, and turn off when the dipped / main beam of the main headlights or parking lights (dimensions) is turned on. To do this, the size signal can be taken directly from the backlight of the button. So you will never forget to turn off the DRL. This scheme has been tested by many car owners and has no complaints.
But what to do if in the car access to the wiring inside the cabin is extremely difficult or even impossible? For a lazy car enthusiast with an uninquisitive mind, this will be a real obstacle. We need another solution. Consider the following option.
Variant on ATmega8
DRL lamps can be purchased separately, without a control module, at a reasonable price. There are already holes in the bumper (from fog lights), if not, cut it out. The entire installation consists in fixing the fixtures with four self-tapping screws. It's up to the controller. In the proposed version, consider the use of the "good old" ATmega8, an 8-bit Atmel microcontroller.
By the way, with its help it is also possible to implement additional functions, for example, an indication of the operation of the PZD, which tends to turn off when the car is running. The algorithm of the circuit on the ATmega8 is as follows: if the car is turned off, the battery voltage is less than 13.5 V, if it is turned on, it is charging, and the voltage is higher than 13.5 V.
Running lights turn on automatically .. From the connections 2 wires to the battery and 2 wires to the DRL. With careful installation, DRLs of the middle price category will fit very harmoniously into the exterior of the car.
There is another option for assembling a DRL control controller based on a comparator.
DRL controller circuit on the LM358 comparator
In this circuit, the comparator is implemented on the basis of a low-power two-channel operational amplifier LM358. The circuit turns out to be very cheap, besides, there is no need for a voltage stabilizer, the unipolar power supply of the LM358 is designed for 3 - 30 V, again, savings. The circuit diagram is below, everything is simple and clear there.
The setting of this controller is reduced to setting the threshold for the operation of the circuit by the trimmer when the generator is running, i.e. when the voltage in the on-board network is higher than 13.5 V.
Everything is assembled very quickly, works reliably even in severe frost.
Daytime running lights (DRL) are additional external lighting devices designed to improve the visibility of a moving vehicle during daylight hours.
2012
I propose a simple scheme for controlling the low beam or running lights of a car. Drivers very often forget to turn on the dipped beam when leaving the car park, which threatens with a large fine from the inspectors. The device turns on the low beam automatically after 8-10 seconds. The scheme is available for repetition even to a beginner radio amateur, contains few radio elements and is reliable in operation.
2011
The proposed device controls the external lighting devices of the car: dipped beam headlights (BS), daytime running lights (DRL - daytime running lights), fog lights (PTF) and a circuit of dimensions, which is combined with instrument lighting and trunk lighting. The basis of the device is the ATMega8 microcontroller, the light sensor is a phototransistor under the windshield.
The DRL controller is a device used to control the operation of the daytime running lights. With this device, a more stable and optimal operation of the optics is ensured, which allows you to optimize the functionality of the power grid as a whole. You can learn more about how to build such a device at home from this article.
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DIY options
If you decide to build a daytime running light controller in your car, then first we suggest that you familiarize yourself with several options for manufacturing the device.
Photo gallery "Schemes for manufacturing"
- Relay-based DRL controller. Many vehicles have regular fog lights, but not all motorists use them. The reason may be the absence of the need for operation, the high voltage consumption of the optics, or its inefficiency. As an option, fogs, if necessary, can be converted into daytime running lights, only the light sources will need to be replaced with diode ones. You will also need to slightly change the standard connection scheme, most likely, in this case, you will need to dismantle the bumper and control panel.
When you can access the on-board network, the connection procedure is carried out according to the diagram above. In this case, you need to ensure the correct operation of the optics - that is, the navigation lights should automatically turn on when the engine starts and turn off when you turn on the dimensions or high or low beam. To ensure this, the signal from the parking lights can be taken from the backlight of the button, thanks to which you will not forget about deactivating the DRL. - Using the ATmega8 board. This option is more preferable if the machine has difficult access to the wiring. The daytime running lights themselves are purchased separately, you do not need a control unit. Do-it-yourself DRL needs to be installed in the bumper, for this, make the appropriate holes and fix the optics. After completing these steps, you will only have to work with the controller itself.
It should be noted that this board also allows you to implement other, no less useful functions, for example, indicating the operation of the engine heater. In this case, the functioning algorithm will be as follows - when the vehicle is not started, the voltage on the battery will be less than 13.5 volts. Accordingly, when the engine is started, the battery will be recharged, which means that the voltage will be more than 13.5 volts. The DRLs themselves will be activated automatically. To make the connection, two wires must be connected to the battery, and two to the optics itself.
Instructions for the manufacture of the DRL regulator
Consider the process of manufacturing a regulator for DRL at home in accordance with the diagram above.
The logic of the functioning of this device is as follows - the unit activates the daytime running lights only in this case:
- if the power unit of the car is started;
- if the side lights and the high and low beams are switched off.
Actually, these conditions are mandatory and meet all the requirements for the operation of daytime running lights. When you turn on either low beam in the dark, the controller will automatically turn off the running lights.
To make a block in accordance with the scheme, you will need the following elements:
- two bipolar transistors, marked on the diagram as VT1 and VT6;
- three rectifier diode elements, marked as VD1, VD2, VD3;
- two 1 kΩ resistor components R1 and R2;
- you will also need two 5.1 kOhm resistors - labeled as R3 and R4;
- one resistor element per 10 kOhm - R5;
- one 15 amp fuse and one 10 amp relay, marked as K1 in the diagram.
All these spare parts can be purchased at any radio market, in the appropriate store or ordered on the Internet. Problems with the search for the constituent elements of the circuit should not arise. The process of manufacturing the device itself should not cause problems - you just need to connect all the elements on the board in the way shown in the diagram. The connection procedure is carried out by soldering. If you do not know how to solder, then it is better to contact a qualified electrician - any specialist with experience can solder such a regulator without any problems.
When soldering, be careful not to damage the components of the controller, as this may lead to its further inoperability. All parts must be securely soldered, since vibrations can occur when the car is moving, and they, in turn, have a destructive effect on any moving elements. Especially when it comes to electronics.
After the device is done, it must be connected correctly:
- DDM - must be connected to a motor fluid pressure controller or a parking brake;
- the +12 volt output must be connected to a generator device or an ignition switch, in particular, you need to connect it to a contact where voltage appears when the engine is running;
- dimensions - as you might guess, in this case we are talking about the positive contact of the parking lights, the specific connection point does not matter;
- GND is the mass or body of the vehicle;
- DRL - daytime running lights themselves with halogen or diode light sources (the author of the connection video is Vitaly Novakov).
As for setting up the manufactured controller, this process consists in diagnosing the operation algorithm as a result of applying simulation pulses to it. When 12-volt voltage is applied to the side lights input, the relay should automatically turn off. It will also turn off if the oil pressure controller input is shorted to ground.
Issue price
If for some reason you do not want to make a controller at home, then you can always buy it on the market or order it on the Internet. The cost may differ depending on the store, and the difference in price can be up to 40%. On average, the cost of a DRL controller today ranges from 650 to 1000 rubles.
Video "Overview of the DRL controller purchased in China"
The video below shows a detailed review of the Chinese daytime running lights controller (the author of the video is Sergey Stanevich).
The DRL microcontroller is a device that is designed to automatically turn on and off the DRL when starting and stopping the engine. The product provides an audible alarm and a number of other useful functions. The article clearly describes the process of work and the scheme of the DRL microcontroller.
Simple microcontroller operation
- The device is powered by 12V car network.
- After turning on the ignition of the generator (vehicle engine) and passing six pulses from the speed sensor, the daytime running lights are activated.
- When the operation of the dimensions is turned on, everything returns to normal operation, that is, the DRLs are turned off.
- If the dimensions are turned off, then the work is activated in the same way as described in the second paragraph.
- If you stop on the road, for example, get stuck in a traffic jam, then after 3 minutes of inactivity, the daytime running lights turn off. If you start moving, then the light of the lights is activated and the process proceeds as in the second case.
- After you have stopped the car and turned off the ignition, the daytime running lights provide light for another 20 seconds and only then turn off. This is called the tracking mode, that is, the path to the driver is highlighted.
When the vehicle ignition is turned off, the LED marked HL1 blinks. The frequency of such flickering does not exceed once per second. This mode indicates that the device is in standby mode.
During the activation of the ignition, the HL1 LED lights up constantly. The microcontroller is thus in the waiting mode for a pulse to be received from the speed sensor. When you start driving, after one second, the daytime running lights will automatically turn on and will provide a stable glow until the car stops, the ignition is turned off, or the dimensions are turned on, as well as the dipped beam.
When the car stops, the microcontroller goes into hold mode, that is, it counts the time the DRL is turned off - usually three minutes. The shutter signal is provided by the built-in Beeper:
- 2 short beeps - when the ignition is on and the engine is stopped.
- 4 signals are received only if the car ignition is turned off, for example, during a long traffic jam. Thus, 4 beeps indicate that the DRLs on the microcontroller are switching from hold mode to off mode. 20 seconds after the engine stops and the ignition is turned off, the lights turn off, that is, the device switches to the backlight or driver escort mode.
During the activation of the parking lights, the device automatically switches to the so-called standby mode. According to the rules of the traffic rules, at the moment the dimensions of the DRL are switched on, all external lights must switch to normal operation.
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The driver support mode, or as it is also called “polite backlight”, is activated in two ways:
The marking LED HL2 gives a status signal: |
The microcontroller is a useful device in DRL, and therefore it is absolutely impossible to do without it.