BX2350 Lights on Rops - FEL work at night

[Stoweski]

What are the thoughts on using the connect under the seat vs the cigarette lighter for powering some of these magnetic ROPS lights built from HF parts... that I must put together...
Benefits vs drawbacks to either approach I see are:
Under seat is out of the way wiring - but potentially not as removable when the ROPS goes down and the lights come off. The lighter approach is a quicker disconnect - but wires will be more likely to find their way under foot...

I think the way I'm going to handle it is to try out the connector under the seat for now. I'm going to pick up the coil cord for a cleaner look and so the wires won't get tangled. I know in the future I'm going to want to mount the lights to the front of the tractor. How I'm going to do that I'm not sure yet but I'd imagine I'll either wire two cig. lighter connectors (one in front and the other under the seat) or go with some other kind of quick connects similar to it. Suppose I could go with a cig. connector and then plug a heating element into it to keep my cup of coffee warm while snowblowing!

I do like the felt idea. Just so happens I have some here. Unfortunately it's JD Green. I'll have to hunt down some orange!!!

Keith
Kubota B7610

 

[fishpick]

My HF trip was postponed by rain today... hope to get the parts to do this light thing later this week... I think I'll do the quick disconnect (like the idea of trailer connector) under the seat to start.
Saturday will be my 50 hour service... so between that and the light project - stay tuned for adventures in BX land!

 

[nckubota]

Has anyone found the magnets at harbor freight ? I searched the online catalog and the part # for the lights works, but the magnets appear to have been discontinued.

 

[Stoweski]

Has anyone found the magnets at harbor freight ? I searched the online catalog and the part # for the lights works, but the magnets appear to have been discontinued.

You will not find the magnets online. I actually went with something called a 'MIG Torch Holder Stand, item #03642 made by Chicago Electric. It has the magnet with a metal stand. The difference? On the shelf they had the magnets for $6.99 each. Right next to them they had the stands which included the magnets for $5.99. Makes sense, right?

But the store that I went to had a ton of both magnets and stands. Why pay $2 more for the same thing?

Oh, I'm also going to pick up a pair of these lights and try them as well.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Figured for the money (got two more 20% off coupons!!!) that I can't go wrong. They are currently in the sale flyer for $6.99 each. What a deal!!

 

[JEW]

Here is an option to consider, a bit more detail work but secure, sealed, and out of the way. I purchased the 75w trapazoid halagon lights from TSC, the rocker switch from Walmart, and used other misc. grommets and wire from my local stash. Mine are mounted forward becuase I want them more suited for my FEL. If I want light to the rear I can easily rotate one or both around with the spare length of wire secured from the ROPS.

I drilled six holes, four for the wire entry points into the tubular ROPS and two for the mounting of the lamp bases. I also drilled one 1/2" hole for the rocker switch. I looped the wire inside the tubing at the pivot point to avoid wire pinching. I have not had a wire exposed or pinched, since my garage height is too low and I have to drop the ROPS each time in and out of the garage. The switch is mounted on the bracket where the flasher is mounts and is completely protected. I also used the existing wire shield to route the wires to the switch.

Lights are secure and have no vibration and provide excellent viewing of the FEL, no glare, and light spans over the top of the FEL when down while the front headlights provide forward light with the FEL in the up position.

 

[chilly]

JEW - Nice job on the wiring. Looks very nice. Do you have any pictures of the whole tractor to see how the lights look?

Chris

 

[fishpick]

I like it... So, JEW, as I understand it... there is a loop in the wire inside the ROPS to hopefully prevent it from getting crunched when raised or lowered... humm, my plans might be a changin...

 

[dcbx1]

Yup, there's an electrical hookup right under the seat at the back of the tractor. It's taped up with electrical tape to some flexible conduit, so it's hard to see, but it's there...dead center next to the frame support. If you need, let me know, and I'll take a pic of it. I tapped into it for my lights.

Charliebrn, I have an 1850, is my setup the same, could you take a picture of the wires.. thanks

 

[Charliebrn]

Ok, I'll take a pic or two of my setup tonight. Been wanting to get them up to my Webshots site anyways.

 

[Musclford]

Outstanding... That's what I'm doing.. I'll just put a light coat of felt on the magnet....

I love the versatility.. Good Job and thanks for sharing.. I'll post my results soon!!

Couple of days ago I stopped by Harbor Freight (we refer to it as Cheap Charlies ) , anyway, bought the hologen light kit for 7.99 (plastic frames) and 2 torch holder magnets as they were a buck cheaper than the grounding magnets. (probably because of the brass in the grounding magnets) Took off the torch holders, tried to mount the lights to the magets, but the carriage bolts spin inside the plastic light housings.. I can't even begin to tighten them up..

Looks like a return is in line for the lights and I'll buy some type of sealed units. They are definately cheap and the way I want to mount them, they will end up getting dirt/dust and definately rain inside... Get what ya pay for I suppose...

Off to Autozone/walmart/tsc/farm&Fleet/etc....

I'll post my final solution....