Canopy Adding Lights to my canopy

[captjack]

I built a canopy for my L235 and want to add 4 work lights. In the front I am looking at 55w 3X5 with trapezoid beams and in the rear I am adding the 5 inch round flood lights.

My question is - how much can the stock alternator/ generator handle? I do not think I would run all at the same time. The head lights are installed but not hooked up because they are worthless with the FEL installed.

Any thoughts ? Does anyone have pictures of canopy's with lights installed ?

 

[Just Bob]

I just got done researching this for my L275. From what I could find I've got a 25 amp alternator. Here's how mine broke down;

Headlights: low beams 2 x 35 watt = 70/12v = 6amp
high beams 2 x 35 watt = 70 = 6 amp
Tailights 2 x 8 watts = 16/12 = 1.3 amp
Emerg. flashers 2 x 25 watts = 50/12v = 4.2 amp
Dash and instrmnts. = 1amp
For my snowblower, front elect. pto = apx 10 amps
For cab; wiper motor = 5 amp
heater motor 5 amp

So my total is 38.5 amps. 7 1/2 amps over capacity!!!!

Since the headlights are pretty dim I won't be using them. I ordered three of the Maxima 6 LED worklights discussed in other threads here and will mount two in front and one in back high up on the cab. These use about 1 amp each (as opposed to 4.6 amps for one 55 watt standard worklight) so my total draw will be about 23 amps without the flashers going.

Still I will use a trickle charger when parked to keep the battery from sulfating. I've been told going over amperage is hard on the alternator.

Another option is a thread on I think a Nissan alternator that puts out more juice and fits (search forms for "alternator") and isn't too expensive.

Kind of sixes... The new alternator is about the same cost as it and regular lights vs the high cost of LEDs.

Hope this helps.

 

[captjack]

Thanks for the reply. I don't have half the stuff you have going on. I don't plan on using the factory headlights cause all the do is light up the back side of my bucket !

2 - 3x5 (55w) trapezoid beams= 10 amps
2- 4 in round flood lights(55w) =10 amps

Tail lights 1.3 amps ?

So worst case with everything running I would be just over 20 amps. I don't really see myself having everything on at once.

i might design a box under the canopy and have a switch panel to control the lights individually.

 

[LBrown59]

Do a search :
TBN is richly loaded with post about the subject.

I built a canopy for my L235 and want to add 4 work lights. In the front I am looking at 55w 3X5 with trapezoid beams and in the rear I am adding the 5 inch round flood lights.

My question is - how much can the stock alternator/ generator handle? I do not think I would run all at the same time. The head lights are installed but not hooked up because they are worthless with the FEL installed.

Any thoughts ? Does anyone have pictures of canopy's with lights installed ?

 

[medicshawn]

I couldn't find a good place for switches. So I just bought a weatherproof electrical box from lowes. Drilled a couple of holes for switches. For now it's zip tied but a more sturdy mount will follow.

 

[captjack]

got any pics of your switch set up ?

 

[DK35vince]

Does anyone have pictures of canopy's with lights installed ?

I have been running these lights on my canopy for 5 or 6 years now with no problem.
4 facing forward and 2 facing rear.

 

[tubzz]

i run 2 - 3x5 (55w) trapezoid beams from tractor supply store and i don't like them. their is this shadow in the middle of them where they do the trapeziod thing.(if that make any sence) i have been thing about trying fload lights. just something to think about. might just be the lights also or my eyes with the shadow in them

 

[captjack]

can you just turn the lights so the beams cross ? I am about to buy these lights - you have me thinking now that I should just get "flood" lights for both front and rear