Front lights for BX2200

[Anonymous Poster]

As I'm sure you all know, the headlights on the BX are useless with a fel. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I'm not sure what they were thinking when they designed the headlights on this tractor /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but I saw an opportunity to address the problem and I must say it works excellent.

The Curtis cab made this real easy since it has holes already drilled for mounting top lights but I didn't want to pay their prices so I went to good ole Walmart and for $20 I got a set of rectangular driving lights (55 watt halogen). The lights mounted perfectly through the pre-drilled holes and tucked underneath the lip of the cab top so they are not exposed to tree branches etc. The lights aimed perfectly at about 25' in front of the tractor and you can't even tell the factory headlights are on with the top lights going. The only time the bucket blocks these lights at all is when it's way up and you usually won't be moving much when that is the case. Here's a picture of it all light up.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

And here's a picture of what you can see from inside the cab with the lights on.

I'll post more pictures of the set up including some close-ups tomorrow when it's light out again.

 

[PhilNH5]

Bob,
Nice job! How did you tie into the BX's power. I searched this site and keep hearing about a connector under the seat. I don't have that but I did find a set of quick-connects right before each tailight.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( connector under the seat. I don't have that )</font>

Phil, maybe your tractor doesn't have one under the seat, but at first, I didn't see one under the seat on my B2710 either. I found that they had taped it to another wire and in wrapping the tape around the wires they had completely covered the connector so it wasn't visible. When I found two wires coming together into the tape and only one going out of that tape to the rear of the tractor, I removed the tape, found the connector and used it.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bob,
Nice job! How did you tie into the BX's power. I searched this site and keep hearing about a connector under the seat.
)</font>

The Curtis cab has a heater and a wiper so to install that they drill a small hole in the side of the dashboard for wiring. I ran my lighting wires through that hole and anchored the ground under a bolt on the frame. The lights came with a 15 amp in-line fuse so I just went straight to the hot side of the battery. The illuminated rocker swith that came with the kit really won't mount anywhere so I have a pull switch temporarily connected until I can get what I want for a switch. I will then drill a hole in the dash beside the ignition and permanently mount the switch. There are a couple of spots in the dash in that area that look like they were meant for supplimental swithing. I'll post a few more pics later this evening.

And next, it's on to rear lighting! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The wife just laughs at me, she thinks I'm nuts! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Charliebrn]

Bob, one question: Did you upgrade the alternator at some point, or are you still using the dynamo that comes standard? I've been wanting to add more lights (I added 2 55watt halogens already, and I posted that project some time ago), but I'm afraid the dynamo won't handle any more. I priced out the alternator upgrade and they wanted quite a bit more than $200!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bob, one question: Did you upgrade the alternator at some point, or are you still using the dynamo that comes standard? )</font>

No, I'm using the standard power plant. I figure I'll use these lights instead of the factory headlights, since they're pretty useless anyways. This shouldn't necessitate more current capability.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I thought the same way about the factory lights and added one in this manner.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I thought the same way about the factory lights and added one in this manner. )</font>

That's a pretty fair alternative for someone who doesn't have a cab.

Here's a close up of my cab mounted lights.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

And closer...