Another new must-have truck gadget from BT DieselWorks. 
I know many people run HID's, so I designed the "LightSaver" to protect the HID bulbs/ballasts during nighttime startups. The "LightSaver" module is microprocessor controlled (its not just a cheesy simple time-delay relay) and is programmable as well!
The LightSaver module is essential in order to get the longest possible ballast/bulb life out of your HID headlights.
As we all know, these trucks have automatic headlights. During engine cranking, the BCM shuts off the headlights (along with all of the other truck accessories) to give the most possible voltage to the starter motor. However what this means is that, at night time, when you start the truck, the headlights immediately turn on at key-on (and stay on for a second of two while you wait for the glow plugs to warm up), then turn off when you start the engine, then turn back on again once the engine is started. This turning "on-off-on" in rapid succession (before the HID's have a chance to warm up) is incredibly harsh on HID ballasts/bulbs, and can shorten the life of them dramatically. HID bulbs and ballasts need at least ~1 minute to reach full brightness and become fully warmed up. During this ~1 minute startup phase, the HID bulbs and ballasts are vulnerable to damage and should NOT be interrupted, or shut off...which, unfortunately, is exactly what happens every time we start our trucks at night with the headlights on "AUTO".
What the "LightSaver" module does is temporarily disables the headlights (keep them OFF, even if its night-time in auto-headlight-mode at key-on) until the engine is already running. As soon as the engine is running, the headlights are turned on automatically. The truck's factory automatic headlight operation remains unaffected otherwise. Also, the truck's factory approach lights feature (IE, when you turn off the truck at night, and the headlights stay on for 30 seconds while you exit the truck etc) is not affected.
The LightSaver smart headlight control can be programmed TWO different ways.
1. Headlights remain off until engine has started/running, like what I described above.
2. Headlights remain off from first key-on until you shift into drive/reverse and begin to drive away. This feature is really nice if you are starting your truck early in the morning, hunting, etc and dont want the lights on while the truck is warming up. For example, you start the truck cold early in the morning when its still dark out...headlights stay off. You let the truck sit and high idle for a little while to warm up...headlights stay off...then say after 10-15 minutes you go out to the truck, jump in, and step on the brake pedal to shift into reverse to drive off...when you step on the brake pedal, the headlights immediately automatically turn on.
The second great feature of the LightSaver module is automatic cold-weather heated-seat control. When the truck is started and the outside air temperature is below ~40*, the heated seats will automatically turn on.
The LightSaver module will work with aftermarket remote starters if wired properly, HOWEVER exact compatibility will depend on how your remote start is wired into the truck's ignition circuit.
Available now for all 2003+ GM trucks/SUV's (silverado, tahoe, suburban, sierra, escalade, etc). 2001-2002 GM truck/SUV applications should be available soon.
thanks
Ben
I know many people run HID's, so I designed the "LightSaver" to protect the HID bulbs/ballasts during nighttime startups. The "LightSaver" module is microprocessor controlled (its not just a cheesy simple time-delay relay) and is programmable as well!
The LightSaver module is essential in order to get the longest possible ballast/bulb life out of your HID headlights.
As we all know, these trucks have automatic headlights. During engine cranking, the BCM shuts off the headlights (along with all of the other truck accessories) to give the most possible voltage to the starter motor. However what this means is that, at night time, when you start the truck, the headlights immediately turn on at key-on (and stay on for a second of two while you wait for the glow plugs to warm up), then turn off when you start the engine, then turn back on again once the engine is started. This turning "on-off-on" in rapid succession (before the HID's have a chance to warm up) is incredibly harsh on HID ballasts/bulbs, and can shorten the life of them dramatically. HID bulbs and ballasts need at least ~1 minute to reach full brightness and become fully warmed up. During this ~1 minute startup phase, the HID bulbs and ballasts are vulnerable to damage and should NOT be interrupted, or shut off...which, unfortunately, is exactly what happens every time we start our trucks at night with the headlights on "AUTO".
What the "LightSaver" module does is temporarily disables the headlights (keep them OFF, even if its night-time in auto-headlight-mode at key-on) until the engine is already running. As soon as the engine is running, the headlights are turned on automatically. The truck's factory automatic headlight operation remains unaffected otherwise. Also, the truck's factory approach lights feature (IE, when you turn off the truck at night, and the headlights stay on for 30 seconds while you exit the truck etc) is not affected.
The LightSaver smart headlight control can be programmed TWO different ways.
1. Headlights remain off until engine has started/running, like what I described above.
2. Headlights remain off from first key-on until you shift into drive/reverse and begin to drive away. This feature is really nice if you are starting your truck early in the morning, hunting, etc and dont want the lights on while the truck is warming up. For example, you start the truck cold early in the morning when its still dark out...headlights stay off. You let the truck sit and high idle for a little while to warm up...headlights stay off...then say after 10-15 minutes you go out to the truck, jump in, and step on the brake pedal to shift into reverse to drive off...when you step on the brake pedal, the headlights immediately automatically turn on.
The second great feature of the LightSaver module is automatic cold-weather heated-seat control. When the truck is started and the outside air temperature is below ~40*, the heated seats will automatically turn on.
The LightSaver module will work with aftermarket remote starters if wired properly, HOWEVER exact compatibility will depend on how your remote start is wired into the truck's ignition circuit.
Available now for all 2003+ GM trucks/SUV's (silverado, tahoe, suburban, sierra, escalade, etc). 2001-2002 GM truck/SUV applications should be available soon.
thanks
Ben
