Flood ONLY LEDs?

[Dadnatron]

I've been looking to add LEDs to my tractor because I know I'm going to have a lot of late nights this summer, if I want to get things done.

Currently, there are the typical 4 Halogen lights at each corner of the JD 5100e cab.

My thinking was that I would add a larger (36") light bar to the front, just under the cab overhang, 2 - smaller 12-18" bars under the overhand to each side, and a single 18-24" bar to the rear. I want to be able to see all the way around my tractor.

Now, my issue is that all bars I have been able to find are a combination of SPOT and flood with emphasis on distant SPOT. I don't mind the spot for the front, but everything else would be useless to have a spot aspect and I would rather have bars along the side and back which are FLOOD ONLY.

Does anyone know of any manufacturer which FLOOD ONLY bars for such a use? For those who already have bars, do you think the 'flood aspect' would be good enough for this instance? I don't really want to direct it 20-30ft out and have 3 bright circles following me around all the time, in my peripheral vision.

BTW... I've searched and have not found the magic word combination to find such, but if your 'Google-fu' comes up with it, I'd appreciate the information.

 

[FTG-05]

Personally, I don't think it matters. I have two of these 22" light bars on my RTV and it lights up the front like daylight: Amazon.com: Nilight 22" 12w LED Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Work Light Driving Lights Fog Lamp Offroad Lighting for SUV Ute ATV Truck 4x4 Boat,2 Years Warranty: Automotive

I would think one on all four corners (or one like it) would give you plenty of light near the tractor.

 

[George2615]

Me too, I have 2 of the 22" combo flood / spot LED'S on mine (1 front, 1 rear) and they provide plenty of light at night. Can be seen a long distance away. I was plowing out by the road early one morning and the local highway dept. was plowing and saw my lights 1/4 mile away. They thought I was a rollback tow truck retrieving a wreck because it was so bright.
You could add a small 4" on each side for side lighting if needed. Check Paul Shorts posts and videos as he has them on his tractor.

 

[Xfaxman]

I've been looking to add LEDs to my tractor because I know I'm going to have a lot of late nights this summer, if I want to get things done.

Currently, there are the typical 4 Halogen lights at each corner of the JD 5100e cab.

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Why not just replace the halogen with LED Flood Lights?

 

[PJSprog]

Why not just replace the halogen with LED Flood Lights?

View attachment 498059

This is what I've been thinking about putting on mine. Should be a perfect swap for the factory lights.

 

[Dadnatron]

This is actually what I SHOULD do... and will probably kick myself for NOT doing. But I am wanting a LOT of light around the tractor and 'thought' without real knowledge, that it wouldn't be enough.

I just ordered some lights and harnesses through Amazon. I'll see how it looks and if it is too involved, I might just call it good and change out the current lights for LEDs. I honestly haven't tried them, so can't say they wouldn't be enough. But my current halogens certainly aren't spread enough, so I don't think that just replacing my current lights would give me what I am wanting, especially on the side.

famous last words...

 

[Piston]

They are expensive and not made in china, but Cyclops Adventures will make you any combination you want. I had them make me custom lights for my bike. It was no difference in price over advertised since they build all their own lights anyways, but what I wanted just wasn't advertised.

I'm sure they would do a flood only light bar for you.

 

[sdef]

Why not just replace the halogen with LED Flood Lights?

Yep. What I did. Plus replaced the rear light also. All floods. I have full light all around.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Yes, you only want flood lights on a tractor as you want to illuminate around your work area as much as you can rather than see up ahead as with a spot light.

 

[bier1064]

I agree, floods are the way to go, these pictures are with the headlights only and with two 4" LED floods mounted to the ROPS added.

 

[kthompson]

You may want to look at trapezoid lights. It is between flood and spot. I like them on front of tractor and not spot as they give further distance than flood and wider than spot. Like flood on rear of tractor but they do not give the distance for front I want. You need to be able to see far enough to know the direction you are heading.

 

[Dadnatron]

At the moment, I will be putting (ordered with intent) to put a 39" lightbar under the overhang of my cab, on the front. Then, 2 floods along the side and 2 floods to the back. I want to insure I have adequate coverage to be pulling a 15ft batwing along fence that I will have hopefully just installed. And I don't want to tear it up.

And while I have relatively mild rolling land, there are areas that I have to be careful around, and I don't want them to sneak up on me at midnight.

This weekend might be the perfect weekend to add the lights, as it is crappy weather right now which will likely keep me out of the pastures.

 

[davedj1]

Once you get the LED's you won't even turn on those silly yellow halogens!
I have two 4" square LED's on the front of my Jeep, I will take them over the headlights any day. They are 27 watt floods. Too bad they aren't legal on the road. On the trail I don't even turn on the headlights until I hit the highway. At the prices you can get the light bars for now you can't go wrong.

 

[Dadnatron]

Well, to say I'm disappointed would be an understatement.

I put on a single 36W LED on the back to compare against the stock lights and tried then out tonight.

Not only was the output about the same as the stock light... but turning the lights on completely obliterated the radio signal. I've since read about some LED lights creating massive interference with radios. It is associated with the AC to DC conversion requirements associated with unshielded components. Apparently many less expensive or less well made, LEDs have unshielded components which cause this problem.

LED lamps interfering with radio transmissions – LeapFrogLighting

I'm sending these Nilight floods and 39 inch bar back. I've read that Cree bulbs don't have the same issues, so I'm going to give it a try. But, I'm VERY disappointed in the light output. I'd expected much more than my standard lights, but I think they are equal in output at best. Perhaps they are just cheap in all ways, but I'd espected more. I'd recommend staying away from Nilight brand as they don't step up to what I would expect given the stock halogens I have in comparison.

 

[aczlan]

Your tractor does not have AC power (other than inside the alternator), so there is no AC to DC conversion happening in your lights.

Aaron Z

 

[Dadnatron]

Your tractor does not have AC power (other than inside the alternator), so there is no AC to DC conversion happening in your lights.

Aaron Z

You know... that's so obvious, I didn't even think. So frustrated, when I read the article I assumed that was the cause. But you're obviously correct, NO AC. Now, I still have to figure out why the lights are causing the interference. I know they can, but don't know what to do about it.

 

[sdef]

I have no experience with your particular lights but do have experience with various types of LEDs in the home and on 12VDC vehicles. I can't imagine a 39" light bar in general to NOT have more light output than standard, non LED lights in this circumstance, unless your standard light outputs are not typical of my experiences and were high lumen versions from the factory. Maybe you could specifically define your current/stock lights and the characteristics of the 39" light bar. I have a 22" LED light bar (do not recall the watts/lumens) on my Polaris UTV that is a mixture of flood and spot LEDs and it lights up the night in front of my vehicle at a far lower current value and physical size than other light types that could have been used. Same thing with individual 24 watt and 40 watt flood LEDs on my tractor.

I do not have an AM/FM radio in my tractor or UTV that have optional LEDs so can't comment on the interference aspect with those radio signals. But all of the LED Interference links I have viewed on the Internet deal with AC powered light bulbs- say in standard home/business wiring and not battery operated DC devices. CB and FRS radios seem to work fine around 12VDC LED sources in my experience.

My guess is your problem is mainly due to an inexpensive, poorly designed and constructed device.

 

[Dadnatron]

I have only installed a single BACK flood. That's when the radio went out, and I stopped. I suspect a bar in front would have more light.

I was only comparing the flood to the OEM flood.

 

[newbury]

I have only installed a single BACK flood. That's when the radio went out, and I stopped. I suspect a bar in front would have more light.

I was only comparing the flood to the OEM flood.

But HOW did you compare? Did you measure the output with a meter or just "eyeball it"?

If you have a smartphone, install an app and get some numbers.

 

[Xfaxman]

Did you have a good ground connection?

You can put a ferrite choke on the positive wire to block the interference.

car radio interference from led lights