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 ProsWe 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 biteasier 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.
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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.
Wiring the headlamp control usually requires external relays. Do not try this if you are not familiar with wiring automotive circuits.
The Rain Tracker kit does not come with external relays or an auto headlamp control switch.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.