CT225 alternator capacity

[joshuabardwell]

Can anybody help me out with the capacity of the alternator on my CT225? I'm pondering adding ROPS lights and want to determine how much headspace I'm likely to have. If it turns out it's in the back of the manual, I'm going to kick myself.

What's a reasonable assumption for current draw when the tractor is running? (I have a multimeter with up to 10A DC capacity, but I don't think I'd like to put it in between the positive terminal and the rest of the tractor.) There aren't really any accessories I can think of, per se. Headlights, if they're on. Dash lights, I suppose. And some current for charging the battery. What else?

Thanks.

 

[EssexBoy]

Need to know what type of alternator is fitted to it, have a look on alternator and post back. it should say on it what Amp's it will give.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I ran 2 12v tractor utility lights on my ROPS with no problem. I am not sure how much they pulled. I think it was only about 55w each.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Less then 1Amp

55 Watts at 12 volts is 4.6 amps. Right?

 

[joshuabardwell]

Need to know what type of alternator is fitted to it, have a look on alternator and post back. it should say on it what Amp's it will give.

Ahhhh yeah. Well, that's almost as dumb as if it was in my owner's manual. It says right on the alternator: 50 Amps. Hard to imagine what on the tractor would suck that up, short of the headlights. The Internet says charging a 12 volt battery can be anywhere from around 2 to around 10 amps, depending on if it's quick-charge or not. So it seems like that leaves something like 40 amps for running accessories on the tractor. I'm thinking I should be fine to put a few 55-watt lights up there.

 

[joshuabardwell]

So that brings me to my next question: Can anybody tell me the name of the connectors that are on the hot lead at the back of the tractor? They're not spade connectors. Rather, they are tubular in nature, with a flare on them. They're also polarized (male/female) so you can't switch the hot and ground. I've never seen them before, though.

 

[SSdoxie]

Joshua,
I see you found the alternater AMPS, which is also printed on page 215 of the Operator manual. The wire connector are "bullet" connectors with moisture resistant sleeve and is fed through 10 amp fuse. The light bar kit Bobcat offers is (2) 21w lights. The complete kit includes lights, mounting brackets to clamp on the ROPS, and harness for suggested list around $70.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Joshua,
I see you found the alternater AMPS, which is also printed on page 215 of the Operator manual.

Oh geez. Seriously? I went all through that thing and didn't find it.

21 watts sounds a bit weak. I've seen a lot of people using the 55 watt lights from Northern Tool, and putting two, for a total of 110 watts of illumination. Have you got that kit? Is it bright enough?

 

[joshuabardwell]

I can't seem to find any information about the light kit on the Bobcat site or anywhere else. I found a reference to a rear working light, but that's it--just a picture, and nothing more. Can you give me any more information? How is the light controlled, for example? Does it come on with the head lamps or what?

 

[SSdoxie]

I don't have the kit (yet). I don't do much after dark but have tried finishing up some loader work in the dark, and get impooisble to see when the bucket is about 2' off the ground. Sometimes the wattage is as important as how the lens facites the light, but I haven't seen this kit on one so no idea. The options & accessories are sold through the parts department, thus sales literature doesn't list everything available. Kit does mention a switch and the wire schematic shows the power lead on the tractor is on constant with the key on. So lights come on with the key and you have option to shut them off during the day light hours.