Customizing headlights

[MJPetersen]

I have a Yanmar 1510 D. The headlight bulbs have been burned out for some time now and I have not been able to find replacements here. I am trying to have it ready to plow snow this winter (probably won't snow now!!) and that means that lights are necessary. I tried to find replacement bulbs here but without success. I know that I could order them from the States and get them, but here i could not find them.

I decided that I was going to change them to some other bulb, the standard halogen headlight bulb fof cars were not too expensive, but they draw relatively high current 55-70 watts rather than the original 25/35. Since I want to add more work lights I decided that the bulbs much be low wattage. I finally settled on one of the new LED bulbs that is supposed to produce the light of a 60 watt bulb but only use 1.5 watts!! If they work I will be able to make all kinds of work lights and still not draw too much current for my smallish alternator.

I choose the smaller standard size and need to make an adapter to fit it into the old light housing. I did not want to ruin the original light housings. I carefully cut the bottom off a couple of soda cans, used a hole saw to cut the middle out for the bulb "socket", Then I hotglued the bulb and the adapter together and then into the old housing.

Then with short pigtails soldered on and terminals they are read to reinstall. They work!!! I cannot wait to full dark and see how it helps!! I want to now plan how to add additional work lights using the larger LEDs.

I thought the project might be of interest to some.

Mike

 

[john_bud]

Very nice and a good way to put more standard stuff in the tractor.

We call that "farmerized" around here.

jb

 

[radioman]

very cool. classic old time fixes. its too bad there too many of us not willing to try something like that.

 

[CCWKen]

Brilliant!

 

[MJPetersen]

I drove around the yard last night just for fun and the lights are much brighter than the original Stanley bulbs I believe. Thanks for your kind comments and if any one was laughing they kept it to themselves.

I worked for many years as a heavy epupment mechanic in AK. Often it was in inaccessible places where parts would have to be flown in. In those situations you get creative to get the machine through a few more shifts so that part have time to get there. Make it work!

I did find a place here where you can buy driving lights for cars that are LED, but they are kind of expensive (over $100) for a pair. I have less than $20 in my project. Admittedly they use bulbs that are rated brighter, how bright do you need for traveling at 15 mph max?

Mike

 

[4shorts]

Mike that's pretty smart thinking you did there. I don't think anyone is laughing. I think most would pat you on the back and say "Good job" Nice work sir.

 

[ToadHill]

The first thought I had was "No matter where in the world you are you can always find Coca Cola.

 

[KJM]

Mike,
Nice retro-fit. I did something similar to my B7100. When I got it, the previous owner had opened the bonnet with the loader in the air and then knocked the valve. Instant crushed front and with it the Kubota lights!

My solution was a pair of 21-LED 30degree spread MR16 bulbs. I made some mounting brackets and put them into the holes for the old lights. They do work a treat! They light the back of the loader bucket up beautifully I'm in the process of making something to go on the top of the ROPS frame!

Cheers
/Kevin

 

[Ductape]

Mike,
Great idea. I recently added LED bulbs to my tail lights, also so i could add more worklights with a lower amperage draw. Looks like you found the perfect solution!

 

[MJPetersen]

Heh it is good to know that I am not the only one huh? Kevin, I tried to use the MR 16 but they are a bit too big to fit in the existing opening of the headlights of the Yanmar so I went with the MR11 which is only 35 mm vs 50 mm. That is why I needed the adapter. The 16 was a little bit brighter Maybe 30 LEDs but the 11 fit with a meager 26 or something like that. They each only draw 1.5 amp. The bigger ones drew 1.7 or there about.

Scott, The little dynamo is not all that powerful so it is necessary to find ways to cut the amp use. LEDs help.

Good to hear from you.

Mike