Community Forums

rondi · 03-24-2021, 12:22 PM

On our 2020 Bay Star 3226 (on Ford F53 chassis) the headlights do not dim and are on anytime the ignition switch is on. I have installed LED low & high beam. I'd like to use the led parking lights in lower outside corners, or perhaps install fog lights for daytime lights. Has anyone done this? I'm thinking of adding a relay, fed directly from the battery, fused of course, with it energized from the headlight switch (If I can find the correct wire) or add a toggle switch to the dash.

Has anyone done this?
Is it illegal?
tia

Dutch Star Don · 03-24-2021, 01:02 PM

There is a computer program and cable called Forscan. It allows you to connect to various Ford modules in your chassis. Many in the truck world use this program to change things, like having different lights illuminate, get rid of key in the ignition dinging, have the mirrors fold when parked, etc. It's amazing what you can change.

Do some research on Forscan and see if the changes can be made to your chassis. When you make changes, there are guides that tell you, as an example, remove an X from this category and add a 2 to another category.

I know that people make dozens of changes to Ford Raptors. One of the biggest is to have the LED parking lights on instead of the DRL's.

F4Gary · 03-24-2021, 01:13 PM

Turning off your DRLs is not illegal in the USA.

kenandterry · 03-24-2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondi

On our 2020 Bay Star 3226 (on Ford F53 chassis) the headlights do not dim and are on anytime the ignition switch is on. I have installed LED low & high beam. I'd like to use the led parking lights in lower outside corners, or perhaps install fog lights for daytime lights. Has anyone done this? I'm thinking of adding a relay, fed directly from the battery, fused of course, with it energized from the headlight switch (If I can find the correct wire) or add a toggle switch to the dash.

Has anyone done this?
Is it illegal?
tia

I don’t understand why you’re looking to bypass what have now become Daytime Running Lights (DRL) on all new vehicles. You also mentioned you changed out to LED.....it’s not like your vehicle can’t support the lights on all the time.

rondi · 03-27-2021, 11:52 AM

Thanks Don, here is the answer I received from FORScan:

"Hello,
If dealership scanner can do it, FORScan should be able to do it too.

-- Regards, FORScan Team 26.03.2021 1:00, Ron wrote:
Do you support Ford F-53 motorhome chassis?

When driving I want to turn off my Headlights which are my Daytime Running Lights and either just have them off, or use the front parking leds.

Can your product do this?

Ron"

Unfortunately not an informative answer!
I also searched the FORScan forum for "F53 motorhome" and only found 5 hits and they were for a E350 and person was having problems finding what he wanted.

alank · 03-27-2021, 12:08 PM

One thing you might want to consider, by law, although probably not strictly enforced, is that parking lights are there to indicate to other vehicles that your vehicle is parked along a road side, not moving. What you indicate you want to do violates the purpose of parking lights and makes you vehicle less noticeable by not using the running lights, which is standard on modern vehicles.
What is your thinking?

Solo_RV_Guy · 03-27-2021, 12:21 PM

Some folks have an inexplicable aversion to daytime running lights. Usually they can't put their finger on why, other than saying "I don't want those on."

Dutch Star Don · 03-27-2021, 12:28 PM

rondi......a friend just bought a new F350. He did the research and found that it was also very adjustable. There is a small fee to join the Forscan group and get better info, I believe $20 - $30. Once he registered, there was a lot more info. I haven't jumped into using the Forscan as I only want to change a few things. I'll have someone with the cable change mine.

rondi · 03-27-2021, 12:40 PM

I should have mentioned in initial post. The LED low and high beams I installed see below, have pretty large heatsinks attached to them. the assembly barely fits in the chassis headlight housing. The area they are in provide NO circulation and the heat is trapped inside. During the summer, driving in temps over 100 degrees all day I am concerned about something getting too hot. It's not because I don't want DRLs--I just don't want my headlights to be the DRL's. I have plenty of room in the area where the LED strips in the "bumper" is to install another light, as some have done on this forum for fog lights. my LED headlight:
https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-Head...omotive&sr=1-4

rlott2k · 03-28-2021, 12:31 PM

My Ford Flex has the lower fog/driving lights as DRLs.

Dutch Star Don · 03-28-2021, 12:59 PM

I know many who like to change it up and use other lighting on the vehicle for DRL's, even the manufacturers are using different lighting than the headlights. Some of the running and marker lights that are LED are brighter than many DRL's.

F4Gary · 03-29-2021, 11:58 AM

Thanks to Audi, today's LED DRLs have become fashion statements.

TXiceman · 03-29-2021, 01:25 PM

We often run with all of our lights on during the daylight as a safety. With all of the crazy drivers on the road, I want to make every attempt at being seen.

Ken

rlott2k · 04-10-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

We often run with all of our lights on during the daylight as a safety. With all of the crazy drivers on the road, I want to make every attempt at being seen.

Ken

Me also. The safer the better.