BX Lights Upgrade

[Jim_Becker]

Wow...that's not a tractor...it's a UFO!!

Seriously, Charlie, you'll not be wanting for light...and I do hope you have the updated alternator on your machine to handle all that wattage.

One other note: I had my aux lights and wiring mounted similar to yours and have to rethink it. Don't underestimate the ability of trees and bushes to totally destroy your handy-work. Anything that has even the smallest bit of space WILL catch on something. The garage door frame will also do a number on those light if you forget to lower the ROPs...DAMHIKT!!!

 

[Charliebrn]

Yea, I put in the Alternator upgrade kit this summer. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend more than two of these lights, as they pull almost 5 amps each. The upgrade alternator puts out 40 amps, so I still have some play room left... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Any suggestions???

 

[Charliebrn]

I used a plastic junction box from Home depot, made for weather. It had two conduit ports on it, and I hacksawed them off, one I used to feed in the wires, the other I covered with a chrome plug, which you can see in one of the pictures.

 

[Charliebrn]

Yup, 14/3 w/ground Romex type wire!

 

[Charliebrn]

Actually, the glare isn't too bad for me. I have the seat all the way back, so maybe that is why. I do get a little looking backward, but it isn't unusable by any means. I may end up buying a Canopy soon, so even that should take care of that issue.

 

[Charliebrn]

I've had two lights up there for a couple years now, and haven't had any damage to them. Over the years I've developed methods for each of my trees to avoid getting them hit, so I think I'll be ok, and if I do nail one of them, it won't be catastrophic...the lights were fairly cheap, I think I paid $12 each for them.

 

[JoeR]

Charliebrn:

Just a heads up... Keep an eye on that 14-3 wire if it runs near anything that has oil/fuel or extreme heat. It has paper on the inside which can be combustible. I know that solid copper wire can be difficult to run. If you notice the white plastic starting to discolor due to heat, I would replace the wire with automotive type wire which is heat and oil resistant. The wire is stranded is easier to route into tight areas.

I used 14-2 for my lights, but had to replace it when it started going from white to yellow/brown....


Overall, that is one good looking installation!!!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Just out of curiosity, are those switches waterproof?

Also, I noticed you used rubber gromets, did you also squirt in a dab of silicone to keep out rain?

 

[Charliebrn]

Thanks for the heads up. I couldn't find any automotive wire that was heavy enough and had enough conductors around here, and I was in a hurry to get the job done. I have my eyes open though, and planned on replacing the battery to switches cable as soon as I find one that will work, since that is the only one around anything hot. I was careful in routing though, it doesn't hit anything that gets overly warm.

 

[Charliebrn]

Yup, rubber grommets and silicone. Great stuff. The switches aren't waterproof. I'm looking for waterproof lighted switches, though I need to stay on some sort of budget. I figger I've got a little more than $100 into it. I'm already getting some awful looks from the wife.... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif