Adding Lights

[TractorTeen]

I know that this is has been a big topic. I have read through some old post and have figured out what I want to do. I want to add three lights. Two that face forward and one right above the top link on the back facing my blade, mower, etc. I know that I want halogen lights. How many watts? How big? Most of what I have seen is somewhere around 50 watts and 3" by 5" rectangular lights. How should I mount the lights? I am willing to drill a small hole in the rops. No bigger then a 1/2 inch or so.

I am not sure how to wire the lights. Whether to put them all in with the headlights. I think that I want the rear facing light on a seperate toggle switch. Should I wire the two facing forward in with the headlights or on a seperate toggle switch? Where can I find a power feed at? I want to do this right without using my afro rigging degree. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks,
Dave

 

[jpr62902]

There's been several threads on this. As I recall, cchoate has a B7500 and he described pretty well how he ran his. I used the aux light feed on my BX22, which was right under the seat, with a quick connector already on it -- ready to go.

In terms of watts, you have to make sure you're not (1) draining the battery too much, and (2) drawing too many amps through the wiring/fuse you've tapped into. Three 55 watt lights alone shouldn't be a problem, but if you're running them on your headlight circuit, using the headlights also might blow that fuse.

On the other hand, my two 55 watters light up my back yard enough that my neighbors thought a space ship had landed. They're perfect for BH work, too (the lights, not my neighbors).

 

[Charliebrn]

I bought a trailer stake pocket at a local tractor supply company and it worked perfectly as a clamp around the ROPS. I put some foam around the rops first, then the stake pcket, with a plate at the top. Works great to mount lights to, and no drilling the ROPS, which could be a liability if you ever sell your tractor or trade up. I posted the project here quite a while ago if you want to check it out. My BX had a wiring harness all layed out under the seat. I wired the front to one switch on the fender, the rear to another. I used trailer wire cable to do the wiring.

 

[chrisjbell]

Don't add any lights to your headlight circuit. You'll overdraw it and blow fuses like crazy.

There is an aux light connector under the seat rated at (pretty sure) 15 amps == 180 watts. That would allow three 55 watt lights with enough to spare.(Note that if it is a 10 amp, you'll only have 120 watts and that won't handle three lights.)

You can wire them so that a separate switch controls the front / rear lights off of a single circuit (two switches, one circuit). There are a couple of ways to do it, but if you don't know much about wiring you might just want to use one switch to simplify the initial installation and then add a second one later.

If you decide to, you can wire a new circuit directly to the battery, but if you do *make sure it is fused*, and *don't put in a big fuse just for the heck of it*. The biggest problem with adding electric accessories to the smaller tractors is that many have what is called a dynamo (rather than an alternator), which doesn't produce much power. Even the alternator equipped machines don't put out much juice. You'll want to find out what your machine's total power output is and make sure that you aren't overdrawing it when everything is running.

Diffferent opinions out there on drilling holes in the ROPS, but it will definately void your warranty.