LED Running Lights

[1998MarkVIII]

Hello All,
For safety, I like to have daytime running lights on all my cars. Its always much safer if other cars can see you coming.

I have found that that LED COB are a great, inexpensive way to do this. (6.5” long) and very bright.

I initially thought about mounting these on the lower part of the bumper or in the bumper openings.

I recently began looking to see if I could mount them on the front of the headlight, or even inside the headlight: like building a "ship in a bottle." I think I could do that without opening the headlight.

Since these are so inexpensive, I am thinking of mounting them on the outside to see how well they will work. I can then put new ones inside the lenses.

So my question is where can I find an ignition on power supply under the hood. I was looking at fuse box under the hood, but did not see any available circuits.

What is the cleanest way to wire this?

 

[driller]

I've used mini fuse taps for add-on circuits. That way the added circuit has its own fuse protection. You can get them at any parts store.



Simply use a test light and find a fuse with power when ignition is on and no power when ignition is off.

 

[ONLYTONY]

I would put them in the bumper spaces. Had some inside the lights, but changed them

 

[ONLYTONY]

 

[ONLYTONY]

I use 12" sideshine led strips. They use very little power. On the right fender, under the black plastic strip, there's lots of wires. I located a large one that is only hot when key is on. Don't know what it powered, but haven't had any problems on 3 different cars in over 2 years. I ran some 14 gage wire, and got the ground on the frame behind the headlights. Always solder your connections. Clear coat the lights, or they wont last.

 

[ONLYTONY]

View attachment 13600
I put these on my 95. Flip up bracket just in case of curb impact

 

[steve]

Just an FYI, the cars exported to Canada had DRL, they used lower voltage to the high beam lights. I think this was done by having a different lighting module. Today on most Ford/Lincolns the dealer can turn on the DRLs since it is contoled via software.

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Thank you All,

Tony,
your cars look great.
I used the same bumbler light setup on my Cougar.

Steve,
I still do not understand why DRLs are not standard on All US vehicles.
I especially do understand why 20% or more of drivers in my area do not know to turn on their lights in the fog, rain, snow...:frown:

 

[ONLYTONY]

Here in CT the law is: if your wipers are on, your lights have to be on.

 

[steve]

Here in CT the law is: if your wipers are on, your lights have to be on.

The Mark VIII or at least starting with then 2nd gen has an option to turn on your lights when your wipers are on. My current Fords/Lincoln have that Feature if if you keep your lights in the Auto position.

 

[1998MarkVIII]

I have not full explored when everything turns on or off in Auto mode, but I have it on by default and it seems to work well.

 

[steve]

On the Mark VIII the lights don't need to be in auto for them to come on with the wipers, on need to turn it on in the settings. FYI, they won't come on when you wash the windows, but if you add extra squirts or wipes they will.