HELP NEEDED! - 12V Power in Engine Compartmnet
 

Hey Guys,

I am a long time X5 owner and a avid xoutpost Reader!

I have an issue.

I bought a DRL LED Light kit for my X a few weeks ago. Finally the weather is getting better in CT I got time to install it.

(Yes some people find it tacking and audi like but I LOVE THEM)

I need help finding a constant 12 V power source in the engine compartment to tap the wire.
I don't wanna have to run it to the inside of the car.

I tried tapping the halo lights but they are non constant so the LED's start to flicker.

Any help?

the +12V battery jumping post on the driver's side, by the windshield area - remove the plastic shroud/cowl, connect to the back side of the jumping post. direct voltage from the battery.

I know that you can tap that but thats always sending power and I need something that will turn off when the car turns off!

Any other options? Common there has to be something?

So you need ignition hot and not constant +12V... if you use a relay, you can search in the E-box fuse box, that is located on the right side of the engine compartment (by the windshield washer tank). do NOT tap directly to any of the wires there for power - buffer the tap with a relay... use battery constant going to the relay's contacts, and the tapped circuit to the relay's coil. try to not use an automotive relay but rather an electronic project relay that draws minimal amount of coil current (shoot for a radio shack relay with 30mA coil current)

how good are you with small electronics projects? can you wire a relay?

Whelp....

he DID need to ask...so...

Your suggestion is spot on. If these lights are to come on with the DRLs there is ONLY two ways to do it:

1. The DRL signal powers these leds (he says they flicker, so that is out)

or

2. The DRL signal just powers a relay that sends power to the LEDs. You could tap power anywhere, switched or not since the relay will only energize with the DRLs on. But I would only use power after the fuseblock....

Use 'like factory' wiring methods (cloth tape, etc) and NO crimp taps, for a OE-look result.

I will try this when the weather gets a bit nicer. (currently raining)

Thanks so much!