Aux Lights: Have you been talking behind my back?

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> 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 </font>

No, I do not have an upgraded alternator, that is one of the reasons I chose 35 watt lights. However, even with all 4 running, and the headlights too, I figure that I am not drawing down my battery too much because I rarely use them in that manner. The tractor is designed to use a rear aux light that is 55 watts. I figure if I am running the two forward lights, then I am only drawing an extra 15 watts. If I am doing work with with the rears on, then I am drawing a lot because I also have the 55 watt rear aux light on, however, I rarely would spend an hour with that type of power drain so the draw down on the battery is actually not too much.

As for the question is 70 watts enough . . . I suppose 110 would be better, but I use the front lights for mowing in addition to the headlights, I picked fog lamps because I wanted a W-I-D-E beam pattern to light up the spots that the headlights didn't, I am not looking to light up a long distance, I am looking to light up the area where I need to mow. That may not be what others need so for someone else, switching to 110 watts via two 55 watt fixtures might make sense. I am mowing at 3 or 4 mph and really just need to see 20 feet, not 200 yards.

As for the rear lights, again I wanted a W-I-D-E pattern. I have a rear aux light and find that it is mounted too low from the factory and it casts a very dark shadow on the work area becuase the light hits the implement (typically a blade). Having 2 more lights mounted up high and wide, it creates a triangle of light with one low close to the center and two high near the ROPS corners; this arrangement seems to reduce the shadow problem and casts a fairly wide light beam.

By the way, the lights cast a YELLOW light, I am hoping that they reduce the number of bugs that collect around the ROPS - and my head - when working at night but I didn't get them installed until fall, so I don't know if that will work out or not.

As far as rotating them front to back, it is possible that I could do that by losening the set screws, but as of now, I have them tight so they are set not to rotate.

 

[murphdasurf]

I asked my dealer about the upgraded alternator for the BX-23 which I will take delivery on in about a week and a half and he said it that the one on there now is rated at 38 amps and that I really shouldn't need a larger alternator. Does that sound correct?

 

[murphdasurf]

That's the perfect light setup. What model were those lights? Beautiful job setting those up.

 

[BXRICK]

On my BX1500, I used two halogen work lights from AWDirect, one facing forward, one facing backward. Much like Bob_Skurka, I attached both lights, as well as a strobe light, to a piece of 2" angle iron. The angle iron is then attached to the ROPS (on top) with two hose clamps.

I used a 4-wire trailer connector to wire it. The "trailer" end is wired to the lights, while the "vehicle" piece is wired onto the tractor. This allows me to easily remove or replace the lightbar (which I've never done, but it seemed like a good idea).

I used the factory switches. I tapped into the switches under the dashboard, and used 30A relays to switch power from the battery, which first go through fuses.

I then ran the trailer wire under the tractor in plastic loom, and out under the seat, and up the inside of the ROPS. I followed factory wiring the whole way, and with the black plastic loom, it's hard to tell it's an add-on. It's also completely removeable, should that ever matter.

I wired both the front and back lights to the factory headlight switch, and the strobe light to the factory flasher switch. By using the factory switches, I avoid having to find a good place to mount switches, and turning everything on is easier. The relays avoid any extra load on the factory circuits.

With all the lights on, the BX's "alternator" still puts out enough juice to keep the battery charged. I watched it carefully with a meter at first, but am now (more) confident that there's enough there. So, I have to believe that those of you with bigger machines shouldn't have a problem with a reasonable lighting setup, assumng no other electrical accessories.

 

[Phrede]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I asked my dealer about the upgraded alternator for the BX-23 which I will take delivery on in about a week and a half and he said it that the one on there now is rated at 38 amps and that I really shouldn't need a larger alternator. Does that sound correct? )</font>

Not on mine. I just installed two 55W lamps under the ROPES on my new BX23. After reading here I measured the current load at the battery. The max alternator output I saw was about 14 amps. The tractor takes about 1.5 amps to run (no lights). Draw is about 6 amps with the lights on. The two 55w lights draw about 8 amps. All this means that with headlights and aux. lights on the alternator is maxed.

I plan on running only the aux lights or the headlights not both.

I was going to mount 4 lights but thought better of it after taking these measurements. I checked with my dealer on the upgrade kit and was quoted $312. Here on TBN the price was suggested to be closer to $165.

YMMV HTH

 

[moeh1]

I just got back from the NY Farm Show. Bought a set of lights there for my canopy project, pic of one is attached. It is a 55W H3 bulb, so I guess I could downsize it to 35watts if I need to. Best part was -these are $6 ea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Vendor was Custer Products 1 800-490-3158, they are in Ohio. Item # for this light is S072 described as 3"by6" flood pattern. He had other styles available, gave me a 4 page typed product list. As I disclaimer, I am not associated with them.

 

[moeh1]

Sorry,
here is the pic.

 

[JimMorrissey]

QUOTE: Ever since getting my BX-23, I've been [censored] 'n' moaning about the stoopid headlights and thinking....."

That must have been a very naughty word....something our virgin ears needed to be shielded from. It's hard to believe somebody took the time to censor that post. -We're being watched like a hawk.

 

[HoggyB]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Well I'm using the Wally World magnetic based units...)</font>

Hey, surfran, do you have a picture of those lights with the magnetic base? Or better yet, a brand name?

I checked my local Wally World today and the only lights I found with a magnetic base are the round temporary brake lights with red lenses.

I'm thinking magnetic is the way to go as I can move them around on the ROPS as needed.

Hog

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> It's hard to believe somebody took the time to censor that post </font>
Not really. This is a family rated site.