Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Daylight Running Lights

Passed MOT with flying colours (DRLs) yesterday.

Result !!

Sounds good. Having just driven along the M4 in fog, it was alarming to note the number of drivers with DLR lights on, and presumably dash lit up, blissfully unaware that they had no rear lights lit- not the first time Ive seen this- the hazards of automation?

Quite normal for commuters who are not "Drivers"

Treesurveyor.
When my DRLs are on (which is all the time when ignition on) because the DRL power is taken from the 10 amp Radio feed side of fuse box
my Dash Lights are NOT on. So no issues of false sense of security in fog. Dash lights only come on when lights are selected using light switch stalk.

I considered the dual colour LED option as replacements for front indicators to allow the white DRL effect when indicators not selected. Two issues though. I couldn't find LED units that work with flasher without resorting to load resistors (presently using CANBUS friendly amber LEDs). Secondly I couldn't find other than the OE (for my Roadster) single feed deeper L794 bases which come with an integral reflector. I don't want to give these up by using the readily available shallower L691 dual bases.

Would appreciate any help with either of these issues.

Yes, I imagine with retrofit that would be the case, particularly with power from the radio fuse. And you're a Morgan owner and therefore a real driver. I've not owned a car modern enough for OEM DLRs, and merely observed others. I make the point of dash being lit because i am generous enough to presume that whilst driving in fog, everyone would note, no dash lights ergo no headlights? I did remark to a driver who pulled into the same petrol station, and they said they had no idea their rear lights were not lit when their dash was lit, although knowing they hadnt put their lights on. Presumably they dont know about fog? I recall the old TV advertising, around the same time as clunk click and green cross code; but these days a buzzer tells you to belt up, and most cars have auto rain sensors for wipers and auto ark sensors for lights, so there's not much call for proper driving I guess! I dont suppose it'll matter soon, with driverless cars on the way for all....
I have replaced all bulbs lit whilst ignition off/lights left on, with LED units, so Im happy to switch side lights on all the time whilst driving, happy in the knowledge that if I do forget to switch off, at least the battery wont drain in an hour!
As befits only a Morgan, my dash lights are on a rather poor quality dimmer switch beneath the facia, and can be off or on, with or without running lights!

We have an auto light mode on our 2016 Mini. This does not control front or rear individually selectable fog lights with their own in-speedo indications, only side/headlights. I would put the case that drivers should not be reliant on current automatic aids in foggy conditions

With Morgan's it should be borne in mind that the 3.7 Roadsters and possibly CX series do have the front and rear position/side lights on with ignition leaving the daytime dash display on full brighthess in the case of the Roadsters. With the sidelights operated by switch all that changes is dash dimming to whatever last set to. Dash lighting clearly has no relevance to fog, headlight or DRL additions therefore.

Richard,
I think MMC dodged the DLR regs by whatis in effect a bodge. But it does have the positive of the rear lights being on.
Cars with DLR do tend in my experience delay putting on the lights and thus aren't as visible in poor lighting such as mist & sunset.

I agree, John. I have switched the DLR to the sidelights so that the taillights are always on. Some cars have such bright DLR that they forget to turn on the driving lights (if they are not automatically turned on when darkening) and from behind they are harder to see during the twilight time.