Additional Lights without alternator upgrade

[botalvr]

Has anyone discovered the limit on how much extra power would be available on a BX2200 without upgrading the alternator?
I have already upgraded the headlights to the Blazers 50watt bulbs, and want to add some small clearance lights to shine on the edges of the deck, but I don't want to overload the thing, and I would rather spend my $200 on a toothbar than an alternator upgrade...
Thanks

 

[surfran]

During the Winter, I run (3) 55 watt halogen lights off my stock alternator (2 forward and 1 reverse). I typically do not run the normal lights when doing so, but do sometimes run the flashers when near the street. I have had no issues with dead batteries or any other electrical problem doing this last Winter. For what it's worth, I only move snow for about an hour at a time as my drive is not very large.

Doesn't exactly answer your question, but does give you another data point /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sandyc]

Before I upgraded to the hd alternator I noticed that my lights were fairly dim when going along at an idle. When I blow snow I am pretty much redlined so the stock dyno could keep up with the load.
I was and am now running four floods, a wiper, defroster and heater. If run my fourways and the stock lights as well then the output really dropped off with the stock dyno. When it is well below zero then the battery looses a lot of its umph to the cold. Not unusual to see temps well below zero here.
Guess you got to run the best for your conditions.....

 

[bluecon1]

I recently installed a Curtis cab on my BX. I added two 55 watt rear and two front. I hooked up a voltmeter to my battery, turned on the factory front lights, and the meter showed a drop from around 14 volts to about 13.25. When I turned on two floods, and let it sit for a bit (half throttle), it dragged down to close to 12 volts. Turning on two more floods brought it below 12, and was still dropping before I gave up and ordered the alternator. I still had the heater to switched on. I have all sorts of charging capacity now, with the alternator.

 

[sandyc]

Up where you live bluecon, I would imagine that the heater gets quite a workout! Had any snow yet?

 

[bluecon1]

No snow in the forecast yet, but that can change quickly. Above average temperatures now, after a "below average" summer. Now that I'm all rigged up with the cab/heat/snow blower and blade, I'll probably see a green winter. On the other hand, the construction season will be extended to pay for these toys. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Junkman]

What brand cab did you purchase? Can you post some pictures of it???? thanks Junk.......

 

[bluecon1]

Junkman, it is a Curtis Cab with the soft sides. I'll try to get some pictures tonight (keep forgetting). It installed quite easily and it is a lot better than sitting out in the cool breeze like I have done in the past, but it isn't near as nice as a factory cab on the larger tractors.

 

[BXRICK]

Some rough math tells you that you have a little left, but not too much.
Each 50 watt bulb uses ~50 watts / 12 volts = 4 amps * 2 = 8 amps for your new headlights.
The stock "alternator" puts our 14 amps (at a high rpm, I believe, so it's probably less at lower rpms).
The only real load without lights is charging the battery.
So, a few more amps probably won't hurt. I think 4 50-watt lights would be pushing one's luck, though.

On my BX1500, I run two 55-watt work lights (one front, one rear), a strobe light, and the factory flashers and factory headlights, when moving snow. With all that turned on a volt-meter on the battery still reads 14 volts. I figure I added about 10-11 amps.

If you're not sure (as I wasn't last winter), try to run the tractor at a high rpm without the lights on before you turn it off. I do this by clearing the snow in the parking area last, where the house floodlights are, so I don't need to run the tractor lights. Probably doesn't matter, but can't hurt to give the battery that last full charge before shutting down the tractor, especially in the winter.

 

[bluecon1]

Here's a picture of the cab