Day Time Running Lights - self-install summary

[Whaleya]

so much work to install DRL that are standard on the Canadian RL.

Honda can't quite figure out headlights!
- No DRL when all companies are offering it more and more in the USA
- headlights chime when left on, but turn themselves off anyways

_W

[Modad]

Did the DRL install yesterday and had great results. Poking the wires thru the grommet was the hardest part of the install. Great instructions!

[redjww]

WOW ! I read about all that going through the firewall and hooking to the parking brake, etc.
I installed a Hamsar 45020 and didn't do any such stuff as that. I just hooked to light socket, battery, ground and a hot wire. Job only took 45 min.
and I'm a CPA, you know what great mechanics we are. (not)

[bongus]

Originally Posted by redjww

WOW ! I read about all that going through the firewall and hooking to the parking brake, etc.
I installed a Hamsar 45020 and didn't do any such stuff as that. I just hooked to light socket, battery, ground and a hot wire. Job only took 45 min.
and I'm a CPA, you know what great mechanics we are. (not)

So, do your DRLs turn off when you engage the parking brake? My guess is if you did not tap the parking brake, your lights remain on.

[redjww]

bongus, You are right. As long as engine is running lights are on. Is this bad ?

[bongus]

Originally Posted by redjww

bongus, You are right. As long as engine is running lights are on. Is this bad ?

No...in some instances such as getting a smog check (I live in CA). You will have your engine running and you would not want to have your headlights on. This is not a frequent thing so I would not worry about it. Thanks for sharing your experience with the install. If you have time, you should describe what wires you tapped into for your connections. Your install alternative might be attractive to others here.

[SAR Guy]

Bogus, Thanks for your install info. The transport truck just dropped off my 2007 RTL which I purchased in Florida.

I am in Canada so now I have to Canadianize the truck which is funny as it was originally built just down the hwy from me. The only real issue is I have to do is install the Daytime running lights to be able to certify it up here. I did a bunch or searches on ROC and gathered so much info from those who have walked the path before me.

I have to say that this tread on DRLs that you started is in my bookmarks. I did a little more research and found out that HAMSAR is actually a Canadian company which is also just down the road from me. When I contacted them about my need for the 45035. The sales guy said that he could not sell it to me as it is not listed as compatible for the 2007 Ridgeline. I am not sure if there was any changes to the Ridgeline electrics between the 06 and 07 or if it is an easy out as the their company not have verified the 07 electronics yet?

Since I am new to the truck, this is where I have a few questions for yourself or any other members out there.
-Does any know if there were any chages to the headlight wire diagrams between the 2006 and 2007?
-Has anyone put the 45035 in a late model 07? And were there any problems?
-The last thing I wanted to ask on this matter has anyone seen this website http://www.daytime-running-lights.com/ They sell a self install module kit that converts the Ridgeline park lights to DRLs? The sales man at this company says that it is 100% compatible with Honda.
-Okay Okay last question I promise ( my two typing fingers are getting tired) I was wondering why you did not install the 45070 which you first mentioned?
Thanks again for all the great info. Keep up the great work.
Cheers Barry

[bongus]

Originally Posted by SAR Guy

-Does any know if there were any chages to the headlight wire diagrams between the 2006 and 2007?

I would help you but I only have the 2006 Service Manual. My gut instinct tells me there are no differences.

Originally Posted by SAR Guy

-Has anyone put the 45035 in a late model 07? And were there any problems?

Not applicable to me because I have a 2006 RL and the Hamsar kit I installed works great.

Originally Posted by SAR Guy

-The last thing I wanted to ask on this matter has anyone seen this website http://www.daytime-running-lights.com/ They sell a self install module kit that converts the Ridgeline park lights to DRLs?

I'm not familiar with that site.

Originally Posted by SAR Guy

-Okay Okay last question I promise ( my two typing fingers are getting tired) I was wondering why you did not install the 45070 which you first mentioned?
Thanks again for all the great info. Keep up the great work.
Cheers Barry

Honestly Barry, I forget which model I installed. The one I do have is all-weather. I had to pay a bit more for it and it works on reducing the hi-beams instead of the low beams. I felt the hi-beams would be more visible in the day time and I rarely use my hi-beams for night driving so I did not want to wear it out. I give most of the credit to Vertrkr. He was the one that figured out the wire connections. I believe I was the first to get a hold of Hamsar and establish some guidance on which kit to buy. When I first contacted Hamsar they did not have a kit for the RL so they requested that I give them the light wiring diagram for the RL. At the time the Service Manual was not out so I had to get it from my sources here at the ROC. After sending them a FAX of the diagram, they told which kit to buy. Since you live close to the Hamsar folks, you should show them a copy of the headlight wiring diagram and I'm sure their engineers can figure it out. Hope this helps.

In addition, it is weird that Honda did not include the DRLs for the US produced RLs. You would think it would be easy to integrate the Canadian version DRL to a US one but from my research it was not an easy thing to do. My only option at the time was to search the after-market vendors.

[SAR Guy]

Wow was I ever out of it when I posted my thoughts. Thanks Bongus (not bogus as I had written) for your info as well as pointing out the obvious that Vertrkr is the man of this DRL thread. Sorry for my over sight. Vertrkr if you wanted to weigh in that would be great.

I was thinking of contacting Hemsar again but I do not have a 2007 wire diagram that I could send them so I just figured I would be spinning my wheels. Does anyone have a copy of the headlight wiring diagram that I could look at, or can any one compare the 06 and 07 diagrams and let us all know if there are and difference between the two?

[Raplon]

I have 2006-2007 Service Manual and there is no mention of any difference between 2006 and 2007. I have a brand new 45035 kit that I was going to use, but recently I put HID lamps in my headlights and, obviously, don't want to use them as DRLs. So, I checked their kits here: http://www.daytime-running-lights.com. I even called them and talked to the salesperson. Two main drawbacks: 1) way overpriced. I bought 45035 for $46 with change. Their kits start from $99 for the most basic one; 2) no parking brake switch, meaning they are always on unlike 45035, with witch the DRLs turn on after you release parking brake. Also, 45035 kit is water resistant. BTW, hamsar has 45040 kit that can be used with parking lights too. And It only cost $28 with change. I will put my 45035 kit for sale in the trading post section, if someone is interested.