Installed DRL

[ncc1701]

I bought the DesignTech DRL module. It converts the high beams to DRL. It was way easy to install. The description says that it reduces intensity to 75% power, however I still think it's on the bright side and that I am blinding other drivers.

Can I get some kind of resistor to put on the line to the light to lower the power so it's not so bright?

[Leo2005]

Couple days ago I ordered led stripes for DRL on bumper and for my headlights. I redo my headlights with leds this time. I'm not sure about resistor....if you install resistor between module and the bulbs then it shouldn't be a problem.
Modified by Leo2005 at 2:12 PM 2/26/2009

[philipa_240sx]

Um, you will need a fairly big resistor to do that. It will need to dissipate alot of power... about 30W with a very low resistance (1-5 ohm?). You won't be buying that kind of resistor off the shelf.

The way DRL's work in Canada, is the high beams are wired in series. This way they burn at half intensity/brightness. There may be a way to do this on the Rogue, but it's a bit involved as it requires some re-wiring. You can refer to the wiring diagrams in the manual to start:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Rogue/2008/EXL.pdf

See pages 183 for the DRL's equipped Rogue's and page 180 for non-DRL equipped models. You would have to duplicate the circuitry for the Headlamp High Relay on Pg 183 and the DRL relay on page 184.

[ncc1701]

Oh man, I'm not going to rewire everything. I'm sure that a resistor of that size would probably get really hot. It seams that the module is electronically cutting the power as I hear a buzzing/humming coming from the module. Is there a way I can do the same thing but reduce it further?

If they're too bright I guess I can put the DRL's on the fog lights. On the way home today I noticed that the Toyota's have pretty bright DRL where I had to look away. Some are dim and others are brighter. So maybe mine aren't too bad.

I know you probably can't really judge the brightness from the pictures, but here are they are anyway I'm sure some will like them and other will hate them. But let's not debate that here

I did the coupe too.

[EddNog]

...It seams that the module is electronically cutting the power as I hear a buzzing/humming coming from the module...

Pulse Wave Modulation (a.k.a. PWM or, "digital")...interesting. Too bad they didn't build into your kit an ability to adjust the effect.

Seems fine on the coupe; the Rogue does appear a bit too bright still. Unfortunately, I can't come up with a good solution for you that wouldn't also reduce output at full power when high beams are engaged, sorry.

-Ed

[ncc1701]

I can't come up with a good solution for you that wouldn't also reduce output at full power when high beams are engaged

I really wouldn't mind that. I rarely use the high beams.

Is there such a PWM "plug and play" kit that I could use?

[EddNog]

I really wouldn't mind that. I rarely use the high beams.

Is there such a PWM "plug and play" kit that I could use?

Well my only suggestions that would reduce output further would be to change to a dimmer bulb and/or apply an overlay to the portion of the headlamp that is in front of the high beam reflector.

-Ed

[ncc1701]

change to a dimmer bulb

Would you know where I couldn't get a dimmer bulb? I tried searching, but I guess I don't know what I'm looking for. Sorry for being dumb

[EddNog]

Would you know where I couldn't get a dimmer bulb? I tried searching, but I guess I don't know what I'm looking for. Sorry for being dumb

My only suggestion for a dimmer (perhaps I should be clear, a less bright) bulb would be one of those aftermarket, "super white," bulbs with the blue filter coating on them. They will produce dimmer, whiter light than the OEM bulbs that Nissan includes with the car (sheesh that made them sound like a factory-included accessory)...the cheaper the better.

-Ed

Here is a good example.

[ncc1701]

Really? I always thought that those bulbs were supposed to be brighter. I'll have to try it.

So the Rogues use 9005?

[EddNog]

Really? I always thought that those bulbs were supposed to be brighter. I'll have to try it.

So the Rogues use 9005?

That's correct, 9005.

I would have to say that at least 85% of the blue filtered/dyed bulbs on the market are dimmer than OEM. It's simple physics; the blue filter reduces overall output by cutting out light that is in the yellow or red range of the spectrum. The only possible way to produce as much light or more is to engineer the bulb to also have a higher-power/higher-heat filament, producing brighter light to overcome the blue coating. You can spot these by higher wattage ratings, and some of the more expensive ones actually warn you that they draw more power and produce more heat.

Supposedly there are bulbs with hybrid halogen/xenon gas mixes inside of them that are brighter than plain halogen while producing the same or less heat, but I have no experience with that type of bulb, and do not know how to identify which brands/marques really are what they say or if such a thing even exists/works.

-Ed

[Pescakl1]

Yes, don't get foul by the advertisement, they don't use the same exposure between the OEM bulb and their aftermarket one to make them brighter.

As EddNog said, as soon as you put a filter in front, you will have less output.

Here is a pic I took when I received my about 8000K bulb to compare to the OEM one: Whiter but not brighter!!Like you, I don't care about the high beam, just wanted the underwatted bulb to be whiter.

I bought them on Ebay about one year ago from California $1 + $11 shipping.Look for it on Ebay but be sure they are 65W bulbs, not 100W.

[ncc1701]

Thanks for the suggestions. I found some 55w bulbs on ebay that I'll try.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[ncc1701]

So I got the bulbs. They are much dimmer then the stock ones. But now I think they might be on the dimmer side now... :/

The module was in fact lower the intensity as I could tell when I compared them to when they were just DRLs and with high beams on. Maybe it wasn't too bright after all. I guess I'll try these and see how they go.

Today was pretty cloudy. I hope they're not too dim on a sunny day. The last picture you can hardly tell if they're on. But I think from a distance they'd probably be ok.

[Leo2005]

Looks good to me. Soft white.....much better than yellowish color.

[rjchoops]

Did you have to cut the wires to install this mod or is it a plug in type?

[ncc1701]

Did you have to cut the wires to install this mod or is it a plug in type?

The kit comes with wire taps. No cutting of any stock wires. Just place the blue wire tap on the stock wire.

Instructions here: http://www.designtech-intl.com...1.pdf

[rjchoops]

Thanks, I think I will have to order a set.

[rjchoops]

The kit comes with wire taps. No cutting of any stock wires. Just place the blue wire tap on the stock wire.

Instructions here: http://www.designtech-intl.com...1.pdf

What color wire is the high beam on the Rogue and what is the low?

[ncc1701]

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.

Do you still need help? I didn't use the low beam light. I use the parking lights as the headlight sensor.

I will take pics when I get home later this evening.

[rjchoops]

Yes, I still need the info. They just shipped the mod today. Hope I get it by Friday.

[EddNog]

I bought the DesignTech DRL module. It converts the high beams to DRL. It was way easy to install. The description says that it reduces intensity to 75% power, however I still think it's on the bright side and that I am blinding other drivers.

Can I get some kind of resistor to put on the line to the light to lower the power so it's not so bright?

Say, where did you order your kit from, anyway? I'm suddenly curious about this.

Does the DRL kit shut the high beams off when the lowbeams are activated? Do the highbeams light brighter when you hit them compared to plain DRL mode?

Thanks and sorry if I'm asking really dumb-a** questions, but I like to be affirmed of the exact nature of operation for the kit.

-Ed

[ncc1701]

Say, where did you order your kit from, anyway? I'm suddenly curious about this.

Does the DRL kit shut the high beams off when the lowbeams are activated? Do the highbeams light brighter when you hit them compared to plain DRL mode?

Thanks and sorry if I'm asking really dumb-a** questions, but I like to be affirmed of the exact nature of operation for the kit.

-Ed

I bought mine from: http://www.autoaccessconnect.com/darulikit20.html

Yes the DRLs come on with a 20 sec. delay and turn off when the low beams are turned on. After the car is turned off, the module will keep the high beams on for 20 sec.

The module does reduce light intensity to the high beams to 75% intensity.

I used the park light instead of the low beam as the sensor. That way if I need to turn them off, I only need to turn the parking lights on. Also I have HIDs and didn't want to mess with those.

The high beam wire is green and the parking light wire is red

You'll need to remove the air box to get better access to the lights, which is very easy. Overall installation took me about 10 mins. Much better then what the Altima took. That car was a pain.

Pics:

[EddNog]

An only 75% reduction in brightness won't work for me, unfortunately. I switched my factory bulbs for Toshiba HIRs, which are close to 30% brighter than stock. With a mere 75% reduction, I'd be high-beaming people for sure.

Thank you very much for the info, though!

-Ed

[rjchoops]

Thanks for the pictures and help. I let you know when mine arrives and is hooked up.

[rjchoops]

Orange from mod to Rogue green high beam, white from mod to Rogue red parking light. and Red fuse to positive on Battery

Now the confusing part. Where and what is the IGNITION SENSE wire? I see on the instructions the MOD blue goes to it. HELP


Modified by rjchoops at 3:17 PM 3/18/2009

[ncc1701]

Orange from mod to Rogue green high beam, white from mod to Rogue red parking light. and Red fuse to positive on Battery

Now the confusing part. Where and what is the IGNITION SENSE wire? I see on the instructions the MOD blue goes to it. HELP



Modified by rjchoops at 11:44 AM 3/18/2009

The ignition sense wire complete the circuit and turns on the module only when the car is on. I tapped into a 12v wire in the fuse box.

I will post a picture and description when I get home later tonight.

[ncc1701]

Sorry I haven't posted a picture yet. My wife didn't get home until later last night and by that time, I forgot.

I should be able to tonight.

[rjchoops]

Need your HELP. I did everything as you said. WHITE mod wire to parking lightRED, ORANGE mmod wire to high beam GREEN, RE mod with fuse to POS on BAT, and I put the BLUE mod wire to the amp fuse in the fuse box under the air intake. All worked great but I couldn't tell if the regular low beams worked. Took it all off and the low beams work fine. Just rewired it all the same way and now NO running lights?? But everything else works like normal. Parking lights work, low beams work and Full High beams work. Did I fry the MOD somehow?

HELP Please email me and I will give you my phone number or leave me your number for me to call you. email is [email protected] THANKS Randy
Modified by rjchoops at 10:39 AM 3/19/2009

[rjchoops]

Still can't find where to attach the BLUE ignition sensor wire. I tried all the fuses under the air box. So I still need HELP.