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

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 a diagram of a vehicle that utilizes the cam feedback input.