On many modern cars, automatic headlights, also called "Eurolight", have long been the norm. In countries where the legislation obliges car owners to drive with the dipped headlights on (including Russia), this function is very convenient, and a number of car owners who are deprived of this function are thinking about its implementation.
Advantages of automatic headlights
- The factor of forgetfulness of the driver is eliminated (in any case, the headlights on a moving car will be on, you must not forget to turn them off).
- In case of a sharp change in illumination, for example, when entering a tunnel, the car will illuminate the road immediately, without delays in the driver's reaction time.
Possible options for the automatic turning on of headlights
- Turn on / off synchronously with ignition... This method is the simplest, but it has a certain disadvantage: if you need to park with the ignition on, the car battery can be easily discharged.
- Automatic switching on headlights when starting the car engine. This option can be called optimal.
Independent connection of Eurosvet
Depending on the design of the car, the solution may be different, we will list the most characteristic points:
Important points
First of all, soberly assess your skills and experience, especially when it comes to the situation described in the third paragraph of the previous subsection. It is better to part with a certain amount of money for the qualified work of an auto electrician than to stubbornly try to get by on your own and make yourself unnecessary problems.
All interventions in the electrical circuit are best done inside the cabin, to protect the tie-in points in the standard wiring from the influence of the environment. Competently executed and insulated twisting, contrary to popular belief, not only is not inferior to soldering as a connection, but also surpasses it in terms of vibration resistance. The additional relay used by you must necessarily be rigidly fixed.
Power circuits of the power contacts of the backup relay and its control winding without fail must be protected by fuses... This can be guaranteed by connecting the relay after the fuse box.
Wiring branches should not have interference for any possible movement of it, and in places where it bends near metal parts of the body, it is mandatory to use PVC insulating tube(tubing).
You can often hear that the same result can be achieved without the use of additional relays by inserting a jumper in the right place. mounting block car. It is necessary to be extremely skeptical about such advice, since often their authors do not have any qualifications of an auto electrician and the implementation of their recommendations can lead to sad consequences, for example, if in reality this jumper leads to the inclusion of headlights bypassing the fuse.
Outcome
In most cases, the implementation of "Scandinavian light" on a car is not a big problem and can be done independently. It is important to remember that, like any intervention in the wiring of a car, this work requires great care and attention to detail, and only in this case will it be complete success.
So, since I constantly forget to turn on, and even worse - turn off the low beam, I decided to try to automate this process. The usual relays sold in the store did not suit me with the fact that the light either turns on immediately after turning on the ignition / starting the internal combustion engine, or after reaching a certain voltage, and the voltage, as you know, is a fickle thing.
Therefore, the relay used a standard five-pin, because I did not find a four-contact normally closed one. To terminal "30" of the relay, we connect a wire connected to the red paired wire from the ignition lock chip, which turns on the starter retractor relay. To the conclusion "86" we catch the wire from the generator bulb chip. Conclusion "85" - mass. We connect the green wire from the button for turning on the outdoor lighting to the "87a" terminal. We don't connect anything to pin 87.
Principle of operation:
The ignition is off - there is no voltage on the relay and the headlights are off.
The ignition is on - there is a minus on the generator lamp and the headlights are off.
Starting the internal combustion engine - a plus appeared on the lamp, but a plus appeared on the retractor starter, the relyukha is open and the headlights are off.
The internal combustion engine is working, we release the starter, the relay closes, and so on. on the generator lamp plus, this plus goes to the three-lever light switch. Well, the actual scheme:
That is, the headlights come on only when the engine is running and the starter is turned off. This is especially true in winter, because the fewer extra consumers during engine start-up, the more chances to start.
Switching the light in the three-lever switch under the steering wheel is as follows: 0 - headlights off, 1 - dipped beam is on, 2 - high beam is on.
Here is a photo of the implementation:
Dimensions are included separately with the button for turning on the outdoor lighting. About the dimensions, I reasoned like this: they are needed only at night, and at night you will not forget to turn them on 100%, because as soon as it gets dark, the readings of the instruments will become invisible. Forgetting to turn off is also possible only for a very large parking lot, tk. the burning dimensions at night will immediately catch your eye. You can make the dimensions turn off automatically, but these are extra relays and extra wires. IMHO it's useless.
I consider this scheme to be almost ideal. The only thing that I would like to improve is that the near one burns both in the zero and in the first positions of the steering column switch. But then an additional relyuha is needed, so that when switching to a distant extinguisher, the near one and also forcibly turning off the headlights from a button or a parking brake.
Overwhelming majority modern cars foreign production, especially of prestigious equipment, are equipped with a device that automatically turns on the headlights when certain or specified conditions are created.
Often this device is combined with a rain sensor or is triggered when the illumination level is controlled by sensitive photocells. However, the use of the above options becomes insufficient when it comes to a car operated in the Russian Federation. "Rules Road Traffic"(Hereinafter referred to as traffic rules) operating on its territory require the inclusion of dipped headlights while driving vehicle regardless of the time of day and the degree of illumination.
The appearance of this requirement in the traffic rules has caused the need for a significant revision of the electrical supply system not only for domestically produced cars, but also for foreign cars of the older age category.
The main requirements for a device or system that provides automatic switching on of dipped beam headlights are:
- Guaranteed automatic turning on of headlights when the vehicle starts moving.
- Turning off the dipped beam when the vehicle is parked.
- Economical spending electrical energy in all operating modes of the power unit.
Filling the created niche in the car parts market, these devices were developed not only by enterprises specializing in car electrical equipment, but also by the so-called "folk craftsmen". The devices they offer, both ready-made and at the level schematic diagrams, great variety. The devices differ not only in the principle of operation, but also in the complexity of execution.
1 Diagrams of devices for automatic switching on of headlights
Consider several possible options providing automatic switching on of vehicle headlights.
1.1 One of the simplest and most effective protection schemes against turning on headlights on an idle car is a scheme that provides a supply voltage to the button (relay) for turning on the headlights through. Switching off the engine (starter) opens the headlight supply circuit. The fears of some motorists in increasing the load on the circuit are unfounded, provided that the devices are connected correctly.
1.2 The method described below for organizing the automatic switching on of the dipped beam involves connecting an additional relay or an electromagnet of the relay that turns on the headlights into the circuit of the "battery charging" warning lamp. A practical implementation looks like this (see the diagram in fig. # 1):
- add a five-contact relay to the circuit (type 90.3747);
- contacts "30" and "85" are connected to the ignition switch;
- contact "86" is connected to the output of the generator connected to the control lamp of the charge;
- contact "88" is connected to the relay that turns on the headlights (or the headlight circuit fuse);
- turning on the ignition provides current supply to the coil windings of the relay electromagnet and its flow (through the generator winding) to the negative terminal;
- actuation of the relay contributes to the opening of contacts "88" and "30";
- as a result of starting the engine and the subsequent start of the generator's operation, a positive current comes to the output of the generator warning lamp;
- switching off the relay leads to the closure of contacts "88" and "30", that is, the dipped headlights are automatically turned on.
The use of a diode in series with the relay coil and directed to the generator will help prevent a “bad” loop from occurring. The headlights will light up only if the circuit is continuous, which is controlled by the "battery charging" lamp.
Figure # 1
1.3 The third connection method is based on the use of an emergency oil pressure sensor in the automatic switching on of the headlights. power plant... In fact, this method is a variation of the one described above. The difference lies in the connection of the relay coil to the pressure transducer and not to the generator. The headlights are switched on immediately after the pressure in the lubrication system rises to the required level.
A significant drawback of this scheme is the flashing of the headlights when the oil pressure in the system decreases and, as a result, the sensor is triggered (coasting, mode " idle move" etc.).
The schemes and methods considered above, which provide automatic switching on of the headlights, are simple in technical design and do not require significant material costs for implementation. This is their undoubted advantage. However, a rather large group of domestic motorists, due to the lack of free time, technical illiteracy and other objective reasons, prefer to use factory-made devices.
2. The device "AutoSvet AS", as an alternative to handicraft schemes
The functional purpose of the "AutoSvet AS" device is to smoothly turn on the dipped headlights at the moment:
a) the beginning of the movement of the vehicle;
b) starting the engine and reaching 10-100% of the rated power.
This allows you to significantly extend the service life of incandescent lamps.
Dipped headlights automatically extinguish when turned on side lights(mains voltage< 12,7 Вольт), зажигания. Схема подключения контроллера предполагает коммутацию «+», то есть включение в цепь «+» выключателя или реле.
Drawing number 2
- The device can function in several ways:
The control wire of the controller is connected to the injector or hall sensor circuit;
Connection to the speed sensor circuit
2.2 Installation of the "AutoSvet AS" controller on the car is carried out as follows:
- turn off the "-" battery terminal;
- a red wire (D = 1.5 mm) is connected through a 15 ampere fuse to a power source (12 Volts);
- black wire (D = 1.5 mm) is connected to the "╧" ("ground") terminal;
- blue wire (D = 1.5 mm) is connected to the dipped beam headlamp circuit (“+” terminal ≤ 9 Ampere) after the relay;
- brown wire (D = 0.35 mm) is connected to the input contact of the speed sensor;
- a blue wire (D = 0.35 mm) is connected to the parking light input contact or connected via a toggle switch to the “+” 12 Volt terminal.
The conditions that determine the automatic switching on of the dipped headlights depend on the state of the controller loop:
The cut loop ensures that the light is turned on when the vehicle starts moving;
The whole loop ensures that the headlights are turned on when the power plant is started.
Attention! Connecting the brown wire directly to the coil pins Absolutely forbidden as high voltages will cause the controller to malfunction.
- avoid getting moisture inside the device;
- do not allow deformation of the controller due to mechanical and thermal loads;
- do not use gas-discharge lamps in the electrical system of the vehicle.
The law on the mandatory inclusion of low-beam headlights when driving a car during daylight hours came into force a long time ago, but it happens that even professional drivers forget to turn on the headlights and start driving without light. Dipped beam headlamps can be replaced with fog lamps (PF) or daytime running lights (DRL), but this does not exclude the possibility of forgetting about the need to turn them on.
The proposed device is designed to automatically turn on headlights, DRLs or other light sources on a car. Its peculiarity is that the "polite light" function is implemented, which is used on some expensive cars... The device can be connected to any vehicle and configured to turn on any light source.
The polite light feature has three main features:
Delay in turning on the headlights for the period of starting the engine;
Delay turn off the light after stopping the engine;
Forced switching off of headlights at the moment of engine start.
The delay in turning on the headlights is needed to facilitate starting the engine in the cold season, while the headlights turn on 15 seconds after starting, allowing the engine to stabilize its operation. The light off delay is convenient for those who leave the car in a parking lot or garage without an additional light source. After turning off the engine, the headlights are on for about 2 minutes, and then go out, allowing you to slowly get out of the car, pick up your belongings and leave the parking lot. Forcing the headlights off at start-up also makes it easier to start the engine, while conserving headlamp bulbs, especially xenon bulbs. In addition, the device is equipped with an LED indicator for turning on the headlights.
The diagram of the device is shown in Fig. 1. The +12 V voltage of the vehicle's on-board network is applied to pin 6 of the XP1 connector of the device, and pins 1 and 2 are connected to the common wire (ground) of the vehicle. Pin 4 is connected to the ignition switch so that voltage appears on it only when the engine is started. Pin 5 is connected to any wire on which voltage appears after starting the engine. On some cars, this may be the control output of the generator, if there is no such output, you can connect pin 5 to the power-on wire of an audio device, such as a radio. Then the headlights will turn on 15 seconds after turning the key in the ignition lock, regardless of whether the engine is running or not. Pins 7 and 8 are connected in parallel with the vehicle headlight switch.
After power is applied, the transistor VT2 is closed, relay K1 is de-energized and the headlights are turned off, as indicated by the HL1 LED, starting to glow. After starting the engine, a voltage of +12 V appears on pin 5 and the capacitor C1 starts to charge slowly. The charging time, and therefore the time after which the headlights turn on, depends on the resistance of the resistor R3 and the capacitance of the capacitor. After charging the capacitor C1 to the threshold voltage of the transistor VT2, the latter opens, the relay K1 is triggered and the headlights turn on, and the HL1 LED stops shining. Since +12 V is present on track 5 when the engine is running, the headlights are constantly on. After stopping the engine, the voltage on it disappears and the capacitor C1 begins to slowly discharge through the resistor R4. The length of time the headlights remain on after stopping the engine depends on the time constant of the R4C1 circuit. After the capacitor is discharged to a voltage below the opening threshold of the transistor VT2, the latter closes, de-energizing relay K1, and the headlights go out. If, after stopping the engine, it becomes necessary to start it again, then at the moment the starter is turned on, a voltage of +12 V is applied to pin 4 and the transistor VT1 opens, quickly discharging capacitor C1 and blocking the switching on of relay K1, i.e., the headlights are forced off at the moment the engine starts ...
The device is assembled on a printed circuit board made of foil-clad fiberglass with dimensions of 45x25 mm (Fig. 2). The field-effect transistor VT2 can be replaced with another powerful one with a low open channel resistance (no more than 0.15 Ohm), for example, IRF540, IRFZ44. Installing it on a heat sink is not required. Transistor VT1 - any low-power n-p-n structures... The HL1 LED can be of any light color; it is useful to use a flashing LED to attract the driver's attention. Mount it in any place convenient for the driver. Relay K1 - ELZET LR-T78-12VDC or other low-power with a winding voltage of 12 V. The parameters of the timing circuits R3C1 and R4C1 are selected individually. Departure of their parameters when the car was operating in the cold season at low ambient temperatures was not observed. Appearance device is shown in fig. 3.
In addition, for the convenience of controlling the device, a three-position switch can be connected to the executive circuit of relay K1 by connecting it to onboard network the vehicle so that in one extreme position the device turns on fog lights or daytime running lights, in the other end position the dipped beam headlights would be switched on, and in the middle (neutral) position the device did not affect the vehicle lighting.
Date of publication: 24.07.2014
Readers' opinions
- victor bayakov / 04/21/2017 - 09:33
or without a circuit-wire of the speedometer speed sensor through the relay coil to the security system unit the door closing function at the beginning of the movement - let's go - the headlights are on Vsali - the light goes out - Viktor Bayakov / 04/21/2017 - 09:20
or just one relay-without a circuit-starter-ignition does not light-on-5 and 6 disconnect the jumper in all cases except the 1st - victor / 04/21/2017 - 09:14
it is advisable to put in a gap with the ground a breaker-repair and so on-forest swamp-garage - victor bayakov / 04/21/2017 - 09:10
The 5th is simply connected to the sixth-transistor vt1 and the divider is removed from the circuit-not needed-superfluous because at the ignition switch when the key is turned to the starter position, terminal 5 is de-energized and the relay will turn off the lights-after starting, terminal 6 will be de-energized-the relay will turn on the headlights h \ for 15 seconds - when the ignition is turned off, terminal 5 will be de-energized and the headlights will immediately go out. - Sergey / 07/26/2014 - 05:12
the prefix is certainly not superfluous for a certain kind of people getting behind the wheel. his nephew collected a couple of similar ones after spending several hours (and he was constantly distracted from work). but I think that forgetful - first of all, before getting behind the wheel, you need to see a doctor. otherwise you can forget everything in the world. a relative immediately wanted to turn on the switches, but forgot to do it. remembered when his wife reminded him of the need to clear the table. all to the forest! the berries are gone! ! !
Automotive technology is developing more and more every year. A decade ago, laser headlights were considered more of a science fiction element than a part of a car. And today some serial cars are equipped with them ... Progress is moving across the planet by leaps and bounds. Surely in a couple of years, cars will have a full-fledged autopilot function and then the driver will be able to do his own thing while driving, without being distracted by himself ...
Automatic dipped beam is a very useful feature to reduce driver distraction
But until that happens, let's take a look at the systems that make life easier for many car enthusiasts today. And most importantly, we will find out how it is possible on our own, if he is deprived of them.
Light sensor on car
Let's start with the light sensor. This device provides automatic switching on and off of the headlights of the dipped and high beam and parking lights, and is also capable of adjusting. More recently, only cars in the most expensive versions, worth more than a million rubles, were equipped with it. But today a similar option can be found on more affordable models. But what is most important - this system can be independently installed on almost any car model.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of course, this option has both ardent supporters and opponents. By law, it is required to turn on the dipped headlights at any time of the day if your car is not equipped. But many drivers often forget about it. And they drive without working lighting devices at all. It will be extremely useful for such forgetful motorists to have in their arsenal a sensor for automatically turning on the dipped headlights.
But there is also another side of the coin. you need to be careful, as there are places on the road with variable illumination, in which the sensor can behave inappropriately and at the most inopportune moment leave you without light, which can lead to an accident.
How to install a light sensor in your car
There are many ways to equip your car with this device. But it's worth noting that if you feel insecure about questions automotive electronics, then it is better to entrust the installation of the system to professionals. Illiterate intervention in the car lighting system can cause considerable problems and costs.
In addition to ready-made solutions that are produced by various firms and enterprises, there are many "handicraft" developments that differ from each other in the principles of operation and the complexity of the device. If your hands grow from where they should be, you can independently solder the circuit you need and.
For everyone else, and we are in the majority, we will consider ready-made options offered by brands such as Quantoom, Premier, Giordon. They are so-called advanced systems that can relieve the driver of the need to manually adjust the light on the car when the lighting conditions change. A typical light sensor kit consists of a relay, control unit, switch, and wires. The undoubted advantages of such systems are durability, economy and the ability to choose manual or automatic mode switching.
Such devices are mounted quite simply. Everything is done according to the attached instructions. It is worth noting that the "eye" of the sensor, which is advised to be placed on the mirror, must be directed inside the cabin, otherwise it may misjudge the situation. All wires are also connected strictly according to the instructions.
Light sensor breakage
As a rule, such devices rarely break by themselves. Provided that you have opted for a quality product from a well-known brand. , it is not worth saving. The cause of breakdowns is usually a factory defect, illiterate installation or improper use. It often happens that it takes many hours to find a malfunction, and the repair itself takes a few minutes.
No one is immune from breakdowns. But it is still better to prefer the more expensive and proven option to the cheap "homemade" device. No matter how tempting the offer is.
Many manufacturers indicate some restrictions for their products, so you. As a rule, these are standard precautions: make sure that moisture does not get inside the elements of the device, protect them from mechanical and other influences. Also, sometimes there are recommendations not to use gas-discharge lamps on cars.
Additional features
Many systems are paired with a rain sensor. Working together, these devices complement each other beneficially and greatly enhance overall performance. We will tell you about what a rain sensor is and how it works in the next article.
Video on how to set up automatic low beam headlights:
But remember the main thing - no matter what options your car is equipped with, you should always be extremely careful while driving. The road is not a place to joke. And while cars are not equipped with automatic piloting systems, concentrate all your attention on the driving process and control the situation on the road.
P.S. What do you think about the use of light sensors on a car? Do you really need them? Write in the comments, it is important for us to know your opinion!
