b3030 tlb, adding LED lights w/o the upgraded alternator

[workinallthetime]

I want to add a couple work lights to my ROPS, i have found quite a few "low amp draw" LED lights but I am curious if anyone knows just how much the little b3030 can handle. i would shut off the rest of the lights while operating the work light(s), I found a 4 pack of 27 watt 1300 lum. LED's i have my eye on.
I do not have the upgraded alternator but hopefully with the other lights off this wont be a deal breaker.
any help will help

 

[94BULLITT]

Watts/volts= Amps so those lights only pull 2.25 amps.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

LEDs are the way to go, min amp draw..... But FYI my B7510 handled 2 55w floods fine before I did the alternator upgrade...when they fail, I'll go to LEDs

 

[pedalstomper78]

I've got 2 of the 27W LED lights from TractorHelp.com. They have them advertised at 2.25a draw and using the formula that 94Bullitt has up (and countless websites), it's correct. I can flip those on and not notice a difference with my headlights etc in terms of any dimming like there is much of a load on the charging system. 2.25a really isn't much.
I love the things. It's a "whiter" light than a halogen so things are clearer and it also seems easier on the eyes. With them mounted on top of the loader, I kinda wonder how I ever used the tractor at night without them honestly.

 

[workinallthetime]

thanks guys, thats what i needed to know. i could figure out the math but the only variable was could the bota take the draw, i have no clue how much the low ouput alt puts out or even where to find it. back when i bought it there was alot of post on here talking about lights and someone had the spec's but thats some where in the sea of lost post on TBN.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

The biggest drawbag to date w LED's is the lack of heat they produce, so in snowy climates the lights start to snow/ice up in bad weather... Happens with cars today too... people have been noticing that at night in /after a storm their headlights are not that bright, only to find the whole lense iced up... lose a little to gain a little...

 

[shadman]

I have 4 LED 27 watt flood lights on the ROPS of my l3400. Two facing each direction. They are amazing. Great for back hoe work, snow blowing and also loader work. Not sure if my machine has a larger alternator that a B3030 but I have never seen any dimming of the head lights ever. They are worth every penny. Make sure you buy them with a solid aluminum housing. I made one bracket that holds two lights for each side. Not sure if you can see them in the photo.

 

[workinallthetime]

here are the ones i bought
4 X 4" Inch Round 27watt LED Work Lamp Light 1450 Lumen, Off Road, Atv, Utv, Polaris Ranger : Amazon.com : Automotive

i will mount mine on the inside of the ROPS due to the amont of brush i am in. Next comes adventures in wiring

 

[shadman]

Make sure you think through the mounting position. Inside may make it difficult to fold down the ROPS. I wired each light with a simple two wire male/female connector so that with undoing 4 nuts the light will come off. I run through some over grown trails but have never had to remove the lights. That's why a solid housing is important. Also, the further apart the lights are the better they work. Good luck!

 

[workinallthetime]

where did you pull the power / ground to run the lights? i never have folded my rop's after 575 hours, they are pretty scratched up from all the brush I have cleared and still have lots to go. short of mounting them on me, inside the rops is going to be the closest thing to safe i can hope for.
thanks for your help

 

[von-mil]

thanks guys, thats what i needed to know. i could figure out the math but the only variable was could the bota take the draw, i have no clue how much the low ouput alt puts out or even where to find it. back when i bought it there was alot of post on here talking about lights and someone had the spec's but thats some where in the sea of lost post on TBN.

I have read here and elsewhere that the B3030 standard alternator puts out between 14 and 15 amps whereas the upgraded alt gives you 40 amps. And the standard is not called an alternator but, rather, a dynamo. I don't know what the difference is between the two. The factory dynamo on my B3030 looks just like an alternator to me.

 

[shadman]

I ran the power and ground straight from the battery. I put the wire in conduit and placed two rocker switches on a plate mounted under the seat. I used the cover plate of a plastic outdoor electrical box for the plate. I would take some pictures but the tractor is at the cottage. Don't forget an inline fuse.

 

[dennisgw]

Dynamo looks quite different from an alternator. Here is a link that shows non OEM dynamos and alternators but applies to what I have seen on Kubotas.
Kubota Alternators

 

[workinallthetime]

Dynamo looks quite different from an alternator. Here is a link that shows non OEM dynamos and alternators but applies to what I have seen on Kubotas.
Kubota Alternators

thats a tiny little thing and what 14-19 amps? no wonder the upgrade was so pricy

 

[workinallthetime]

......------ update------.......
holy s#$% these things are awsome!!!!!!, i just finished as much as i could do tonight and took it for a test drive, my daughter said i look like the sun driving through the back yard. The light is amazing, i have been a big fan on hand held LED lights for a long time and this little 100.00 upgrade means i can work way into the night if i want.
I will post pics and material list for future kubota guys in the dark.
I found a ring terminal (-) and a female barrel connector (+) under the right rear fender, i think this was to power the optional work light, I was all excited until i relaized this ckt is always hot witth the key on. I made a run to the parts store and bought a relay thinking i would control the lights off the lights but after the test drive i think just installing a switch on the ground ckt will be the way to go. I looked at all the switches while at the store, none of them look like they will hold up to living outside. hmmm any thoughts?

mounting was inside the rops, 2 foreward and 2 facing back.

 

[94BULLITT]

I got switches for my lights from digikey.

 

[workinallthetime]

here are the pics, a little jumbled together but you can see the BH light, a comparison between factory light and added light, the brackets built from scrap, switch placement, and the harness run

 

[Sully2]

thats a tiny little thing and what 14-19 amps? no wonder the upgrade was so pricy

The alternator upgade is worth it though. I did mine about 6 months after I bought it. Basically no limitations on power to run lights etc...because you dont have much to attach lights and such TO. Im planning on a sprayer mounted to 1" plywood and mounted to one of those rear carriers that guys use for all sorts of jobs

 

[workinallthetime]

The alternator upgade is worth it though. I did mine about 6 months after I bought it. Basically no limitations on power to run lights etc...because you dont have much to attach lights and such TO. Im planning on a sprayer mounted to 1" plywood and mounted to one of those rear carriers that guys use for all sorts of jobs

how much was the upgrade? did you do it yourself? what did the kit come with? just curious if the kit is nothingmore than a belt, alternator and a bracket

light switch felll apart after about 3 hours, gonna look for another one that is built a little better. I have been running a medium size cat track hoe for a week, the light switches on it cought my eye.

 

[David Devuono]

Interesting thread, all the tractors I looked at had 50 amp alternators. Did not think much of the Kubota specs and the ommission of Alternator specs till I got my B3200 home and noticed the tiny alternator. I mean my Briggs and Stratton Vtwin has a 16 amp generator built in. So much for the idea of adding an Electric winch.