Aux Lights: Have you been talking behind my back?

HoggyB · Feb 18, 2004

Ever since getting my BX-23, I've been [censored] 'n' moaning about the stoopid headlights and thinking, "I've got to mount some lights on the ROPS, or sumtin'."

I just saw a post talking about the "connector under the seat" and the auxiliary lights offered by Kubota! I had no idea! Of course, at $140, it's not surprising. I'll bet few people buy the Kubota lights.

So, what brand lights ARE you guy/als putting on your tractors? And where did you get them?

Watt whattage are you using?

And can you use bigger lights on the ROPS if you disable the headlights? Or is that a bad idea?

Is magnetic mount the way to go? Sounds like a headache waiting to happen.

I really want better lighting, something that I can shine forward or backward, but I don't want to make a major project out of it or I'll never get to it.

What I really need are some nice bright halogens that swivel front and back.

Hog

aux. lights, auxiliary lights, auxilliary lights, work lights, ROPS lights

PineRidge · Feb 18, 2004

Hog I've been shopping for some aux. lamps for over a month and a half. Finally settled on a pair of lights normally used on a truck snow plow (see attachment) I will be mounting them on my canopy very shortly. The thing I liked about them the best was high/low beams, turn signals, and marker lamps built into each assembly. Found them at eBay where else.

Bob_Skurka · Feb 18, 2004

I installed 4 PIAA brand automotive Fog Lamps on my ROPS. I took a piece of angle iron and used marine epoxy to adhere it to the ROPS then I painted it to match. The marine epoxy has a 5000# shear strenght, and it does not void the warrenty of the ROPS like welding or drilling do.

I used FOG lamps becuase they throw a wider beam of light and I was looking for light in front of the tractor so I could see where I was working, I had no desire to light up the field 300 yards out, I was worried about 30' feet. My fog lights are 35 watt. The switches I used are 100% waterproof submersible switches and they are hooked to a relay to take the electrical load so the switches are protected.

The lights are hung UNDER my ROPS because I have lots of trees and I didn't want the branches tearing them off. The attached picture is a view from under the ROPS looking up at the lights and the bar that they are attached to.

surfran · Feb 18, 2004

Well I'm using the Wally World magnetic based units for mainly the front direction (2-55 watt units) and another oval 55 watt unit I bought from Harbor Freight pointing rear words and held on with a tie wrap. I started out buying the ones from HF and didn't think they put out enough light. So found the magnetic ones at Wal-Mart and bought them. Cut off the cigarette lighter plugs and added an 5-pin trailer wiring harness so I can disconnect and remove during summer. Wired the other end of plug permanently to the wire under seat.

Working great so far, and of course I do not use the factory ones at same time as I don't have HD alternator.

Good luck

HoggyB · Feb 18, 2004

( Working great so far, and of course I do not use the factory ones at same time as I don't have HD alternator.

Good luck )

Isn't the plug under the seat tied to the headlight switch?

Does anyone know the specs on the connector under the seat?

12v? How many amps will it provide?

Hog

HoggyB · Feb 18, 2004

( I installed 4 PIAA brand automotive Fog Lamps on my ROPS...)

Bob- Do you have the upgraded alternator?

It looks like you can rotate all four front or back. Is this true?

Or is 70 watts each direction enough?

Hog

JLD · Feb 19, 2004

Has anyone ever seem aux lights that have LEDs instead of halogens? It sure would help keep power draw down. I have a backpackers head lamp that has seven LEDs and runs for about 50 hours on two AA batteries. Someone must make one, but I have not had any luck in my search.

PineRidge · Feb 19, 2004

Has anyone ever seem aux lights that have LEDs instead of halogens? It sure would help keep power draw down. I have a backpackers head lamp that has seven LEDs and runs for about 50 hours on two AA batteries. Someone must make one, but I have not had any luck in my search.


I've seen plenty of LED tail & marker lights but I don't think LED's produce near enough light to make a headlamp that would be really useable on a tractor.

moeh1 · Feb 19, 2004

I have been doign some LED work recently. There is a company making white LEDs that actually put them into a car headlight circuit last year, I think it was 17 large LEDs per headlight. Efficiency is definitely there, but there are some product start-up issues. I would expect you will see LEDs in uses like this in the next couple years, but not available today. The next best efficiency option would be halogen or a high-pressure offshoot like the new "blue" bulbs you are starting to see on the road.
I am looking at putting some fog lights on my canopy and it is harder to find 35 watt bulbs, alot of them are 55 watts. Let me know if you find a great answer, I'll do likewise.

surfran · Feb 19, 2004

HoggyB,

I believe when I traced my wiring under the seat it was connected to a 15 or 20 amp fuse in the fuse box near the battery. I still put the 15 inline at the connection that came with the first set of lights I bought.

It is definately not on the lighting circuit and is hot anytime the tractor key is on.