A Benefit to YOUR customers

...Frees the Driver from the inconvenience of constantly adjusting the wipers as conditions change.

-- RV Builder's news, January 2002

Light Sensing Headlamp Control

The Rain Tracker senses the ambient light level outside the vehicle, and turns on the headlamps when it is dark, or when it is raining. Most US States require you to have your headlamps on when it is raining, and it is simply a good idea.

This is for the Pros

We provide the headlamp control output mostly for Original Equipment, Chassis Builders, and professional installers. We view the difficulty of this installation as beyond the typical do-it-yourselfer. (Note: we also view a remote start as being beyond the typical do-it-yourselfer. This is still a bit
easier than a remote-start.)

Click here for installation instructions and more information about the feature.

The Rain Tracker headlamp control is intended for professional installation, such as this one from a Hyundai special-accessories program.
(The Light Sensor switch is not included with the RT-50A)

Why the Rain Tracker Headlamp Control is Better Than Most Headlamp Controls.

1. A really smart control strategy. The Rain Tracker headlamp control will respond quickly to a strong change in ambient conditions. This means that the lights come on quickly in a tunnel. But, it responds slowly to gradually changing “lights could be on or off” conditions. This means the lights don’t turn on and off frequently in dawn or twilight conditions. The usual new-car headlamp control strategy is to simply make the control sluggish.

2. Really good optics. That’s what we do at Opto-Electronic Design, Inc. The Rain Tracker light sensor sees in all directions better than most, if not all, new car headlamp control sensors. It has an unfair advantage: it is mounted right on the windshield, so it can take in a wider range of angles.

Warning! Level of Difficulty: Medium

Wiring the headlamp control usually requires external relays. Do not try this if you are not familiar with wiring automotive circuits.

You May Need to Buy Parts

The Rain Tracker kit does not come with external relays or an auto headlamp control switch.

Warning! You are on your own!

We do not provide wiring diagrams for how to install the headlamp control for your vehicle. You will need to find your vehicles wiring diagram. You will need to understand how the headlamp system operates, and select the best wiring approach. We will not help you with the specifics of your headlamp control installation. The safety and efficacy of the installation is the responsibility of the installer.

CAM Feedback Input

For Vehicles with Digital Systems

The CAM Feedback input is a means for the Rain Tracker model RT-50A to operate correctly on newer vehicles that utilize digital communication between the wiper switch and wiper motor.

Many newer vehicles send digital data from the wiper switch to control the windshield wipers, so you cannot tap into the wiper system coming from the switch. In most of these cases, you can tie into the wiper motor windings at the motor, and use the CAM Feedback input of the RT-50A to insure that the wipers properly return home at the end of each cycle.

Click here for CAM Feedback Input instructions

Does my vehicle need to use the CAM Feedback input?

Do the vehicle specific instructions found at www.raintracker.com say you need to use the CAM Feedback input?

We have a few newer vehicles in our database and some say you need to use the CAM Feedback input. Some, we just don’t know so we have instructions on testing for CAM Feedback use. (See instructions below)

Do the vehicle specific instructions say you have to use some external components for the install (i.e. Resistors)?

If your vehicle requires external components, you do not need to use the CAM Feedback input.

Do the vehicle specific instructions say you have to install the Rain Tracker at the wiper motor?

Sometimes we can’t tell from the factory diagram if the wiper switch wires are connected directly to the wiper motor so we say it needs to be installed at the wiper motor. You can test to see if you need to use the CAM Feedback input for these applications by accessing the slow wire at the wiper motor and doing the following: (If you have a Ground Side Switching system, connect the slow wire to GND, not +12V)

- Cut the SLOW wiper motor wire where you would install the Rain Tracker.
- With the vehicle on, momentarily connect the motor side of the SLOW wire to +12V. The wipers should start to wipe, take the wire off +12V while the wipers are in the middle of the windshield, the wipers should stop.
- Restore the SLOW wiper connection by reconnecting the motor side of wire with the switch side.
- If the wipers run back home, you do not need to use the CAM Feedback input. But, if they stop in the middle of the windshield, you will need to connect the cam wire of the wiper motor to the CAM Feedback input on the Rain Tracker module.

What if your vehicle doesn’t have specific instructions for Rain Tracker installation?

We’ve done our best to provide an up to date vehicle database but we may not have specific instructions for newer vehicles. Some vehicles are completely incompatible and are generally documented.

If you do not see your vehicle in our database, in general, if you can access the FAST, SLOW and CAM wires of the wiper motor, the Rain Tracker is compatible. You will need to test the wires for function and use the appropriate diagram below or that comes with the Rain Tracker Kit.

If you do not see your vehicle in the Rain Tracker compatibility database, WE DO NOT HAVE IT. Please do not call us asking for the specific instructions. If you have the diagram of the wiper system and you would like us to take a look at it, please either email it to us at info@oedes.com or fax it to 952-943-1020.