Canopy Got LED Work Lights Installed

[caspar3259]

I was able to get the 4 work lights installed over Thanksgiving week. I went with these LED lights from TowMart which are 18 watts, 1600 lumens, and draw about 1.5A each.

I mounted them to the existing bolts holding the canopy, which seems to work great for the front and OK for the rear. The canopy bracket prevents the rear lights from being tilted downward much, but I think it will be OK.

For power I tapped into the 10A work light circuit at the fuse block and put the switches in the blank panel to the left of the seat. I chose marine toggle switches as they are supposed to be water proof. These are rated at 25A for 12V, so should handle the load fine without the need for any relays.

When I was first buying materials for this project I underestimated the amount of wire I would need. Seemed like 20 feet would be plenty, but ended up using more like 50-55 by the end. I did "home runs" for each lamp back to the switch. Probably overkill, but that way I minimized the number of connections... well, at least I consolidated them all at the switches where they are more protected.

My first test of the lights at night went well -- I think it will be plenty of light. When there is snow on the ground it will seem even brighter.

Jeff

 

[Darrenone]

Thanks for the post and pics. Just ordered four of those light for my kubota L3130. Hopefully they will help with snow removal this winter.

 

[dlmpsy]

I installed a similar set of LED lights during the holiday as well. Something must be in the air...I needed extra lighting to see beyond my bucket/snowplow. Nice job on the install.

 

[MF 1532]

They look good . You would think manufacturers would make lights standard equipment , especially with a fel .

 

[beppington]

Looks great! :thumbsup: I'm jealous! I need to get motivated. Of course I have headlights, but the loader blocks them too much of the time, even though I'm now using this open-back grapple bottom bucket (surprising how much light those two horizontal box beams block while using the loader):

 

[caspar3259]

The lights were a bit pricey, but I wanted something durable with good light output and low current drain. So LED was the choice. I'd rather pay more up front and be done with it.

Looking forward to LED lighting prices to come down over the next few years so I can use more of them in the house. I don't really like the look of the compact fluorescent bulbs we have now.

-Jeff

 

[Johnbro]

Looks good--I was going to put mine on the front of the canopy rails but was concerned I'd bump my head on them. Let us know if that's an issue--if not I think I'll move mine.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

I was able to get the 4 work lights installed over Thanksgiving week. I went with these LED lights from TowMart which are 18 watts, 1600 lumens, and draw about 1.5A each.

I mounted them to the existing bolts holding the canopy, which seems to work great for the front and OK for the rear. The canopy bracket prevents the rear lights from being tilted downward much, but I think it will be OK.

For power I tapped into the 10A work light circuit at the fuse block and put the switches in the blank panel to the left of the seat. I chose marine toggle switches as they are supposed to be water proof. These are rated at 25A for 12V, so should handle the load fine without the need for any relays.

When I was first buying materials for this project I underestimated the amount of wire I would need. Seemed like 20 feet would be plenty, but ended up using more like 50-55 by the end. I did "home runs" for each lamp back to the switch. Probably overkill, but that way I minimized the number of connections... well, at least I consolidated them all at the switches where they are more protected.

My first test of the lights at night went well -- I think it will be plenty of light. When there is snow on the ground it will seem even brighter.

Jeff

How about some night shots???

 

[caspar3259]

How about some night shots???

Interesting idea! I didn't think it would work well, but I'm amazed at the difference.

All three pics are from the seat: first with standard headlights (low beam), second with front work lights only, third with rear work lights only.

The work lights sure light up the area! "Flood" is the key word here. I think the rear lights look brighter because there are objects close to the tractor. At the bottom of the rear pic is the back edge of the box blade.

I just looked at the exposure settings for the pics and the first two are the same: 1/8 second @ F2.8. The rear photo was 1/10 second @ F2.8. This tells me the increase in light you see between the first two is solely due to the work lights.

Jeff

 

[caspar3259]

Looks good--I was going to put mine on the front of the canopy rails but was concerned I'd bump my head on them. Let us know if that's an issue--if not I think I'll move mine.

Hmmm... I haven't noticed it in the way. I think they don't get in the way because as I climb the step I am headed toward the seat away from the light. I'm 6' 2" and it works out, but someone larger might have more of an issue.

Edit--> If the lights are bigger or canopy slopes down in front it might also be more of an issue.

Jeff