Grote L.E.D. lights

LHoyer · Dec 4, 2006

Has anyone used the Grote 4" white l.e.d. array for headlights on a c.u.t.? Do they work out O.K.?

milkman · Dec 4, 2006

I had thought of trying that, it would be a great way for more light without having to upgrade the alternator, if they just put out enough light, hoping someone will let us all know.

KJM · Dec 5, 2006

My B7100 came with a slightly crushed set of headlights. They were 35W (think: 1960's VW Beetles). I put in a pair of LED lights (ones with 21 individual 5mm LEDs -MR16 downlight types) as a temporary replacement. They are about to become permanent

. SO much better than the standard 35W kubota lamps I bought to replace the original crushed ones!

I purposely chose the 21 LED array because it provides enough spill to the sides and slightly diffused forward "spot". Just perfect for me. I'll be mounting a couple to the top of the ROPs frame when I put it on the tractor. You can get higher output LEDs and ones that throw more or spill more, but these happen to suit me.

So for me, the 70W for the lights drops to 2W and the light is better. So the grote lamps (which I've never seen) would probably be great.

varmint · Dec 6, 2006

KJM: could you provide a bit more info on the lights you installed? I am clueless about where you'd go to buy such arrays, but really interested!

milkman · Dec 6, 2006

I searched for the 4" white LED backup light and the only price I could find was in the Waytek catalogue, item # 47992, price $86.82. I also found some super bright LED bulbs here Product Listing - CAR that were a lot more reasonable, $14.99 for the 30 LED 1156 or 1157 base bulb but need to check for clearance inside the light housing, they also have fewer LED's that will fit in smaller spaces.

rdsaustintx · Dec 6, 2006

Yeah I did search after the initial post too. Those things are very cool, but expen$ive. Could buy a couple of alternators for what a full set of work lights would cost.

RDnT

KJM · Dec 7, 2006

varmint said:
KJM: could you provide a bit more info on the lights you installed? I am clueless about where you'd go to buy such arrays, but really interested!

I bought those off ebay

If you search for "LED lights" or anything like that, you'll get a bazillion hits.

Choosing the ones I did was particularly easy for me, the B7100's eyes are pretty small, so I needed small diameter lights! I saw MR16 format globes, and these had 21 LEDs. I have a handheld torch with 21 LEDs. A quick trip outside at night with some tape, and my torch proved the idea.

Mounting the little blighters is the hardest bit - I've bought two of those tiny little driving lights they sell (the Japanese ricer kids seem to love them), whipped out the MR16's and put the LED ones in. Then fabbed a bit of a bracket inside the hood and a couple of surrounds out of PVC pipe. When I finish the permanent install I'll post a picture - it looks like it was meant to be there!

Turns out I've actually seen one of the Grote LED headlights - they are considerably brighter overall than mine (of course) - we looked at buying some for worklights on one of our fire appliances. I'd rate them as a no-brainer - plenty of output for me!

/Kevin

Tig · Dec 7, 2006

I seached the web and had trouble getting prices. So then I checked my favourite local store. They have the 54 LED Grote for $69 CDN. Princessauto.com I'd expect that price to fall over the next couple years as production and competition ramps up.

varmint · Dec 8, 2006

Thanks for the website, MILKMAN- looks like a good source for LED bulbs!]

LHoyer · Dec 8, 2006

Thanks to all who replied and like varmit said, milkman's link looks like a good source. Probably the best I have found on the web. Grote looks like a good bulb but rather pricey. If you can just replace a bulb, superbright looks like the way to go.

plaindave · Dec 16, 2006

Any chance you could post a picture of what the light output is on those MR16 type bulbs?

I would love to replace my 35W aux lamps on my B7800 with more light, but hate to make a $50 investment.

I found a set of driving lights on JC Whitney for $20, and like he said if you search ebay for MR16 LED you will get lots of hits.

ericbx1500 · Dec 16, 2006

What about these mounted on the rops? Look half way down the page under LED Auxiliary Fog, Running & Utility Lights.

Headlights & Fog Lights

Northland · Dec 18, 2006

plaindave said:
Any chance you could post a picture of what the light output is on those MR16 type bulbs?

I would love to replace my 35W aux lamps on my B7800 with more light, but hate to make a $50 investment.

I found a set of driving lights on JC Whitney for $20, and like he said if you search ebay for MR16 LED you will get lots of hits.

Based on some posts here at TBN I replaced the headlight bulbs on my new B7800 with 795/1156 50 watt halogen bulbs and they made a huge difference! For CDA $10 each I no longer need any more front lighting. I am going to buy a 55 watt tractor work light fropm TSC for the back of the B7800 though as I can't see much when going in reverse at night

LHoyer · Dec 18, 2006

The original intent of my question, was to find out if anyone had experience with L.E.D lights for work lights. Many of the early Kubota's had small dynamos that hardly keep up with the regular drain on the battery. I would dearly love halogens but the draw is waay to much for my B7100.

LHoyer · Dec 30, 2006

I ordered 2 1156 base 30 l.e.d. arrays from superbrightleds.com. Had to modify the bulb housing slightly to get them to fit. Here are pics of bulbs versus l.e.d.s with exactly the same lighting conditions in garage. Not a very scientific test but so far I think I like the leds slightly better-more concentrated light. Cost was decent, I thought, at $15 ea plus shipping. A heck of a lot cheaper than Grote. Thanks to milkman for the original lead on superbright.

Barnboy · Dec 31, 2006

LHoyer said:
I ordered 2 1156 base 30 l.e.d. arrays from superbrightleds.com. Had to modify the bulb housing slightly to get them to fit. Here are pics of bulbs versus l.e.d.s with exactly the same lighting conditions in garage. Not a very scientific test but so far I think I like the leds slightly better-more concentrated light. Cost was decent, I thought, at $15 ea plus shipping. A heck of a lot cheaper than Grote. Thanks to milkman for the original lead on superbright.

You said you had to modify the bulb housing. Could you post a picture of the mod.I would like to upgrade my B3030 lights to LED's but i dont want to cut the bulb housing.

LHoyer · Dec 31, 2006

I have a B7100. The metal housing around the lights is formed to the glass so it won't come apart. The 30 led array is too large to fit through the bulb opening so I made several small cuts around the perimeter of the opening, bent them up enough so that the array would fit through, inserted the bulb, connected it to the socket, then rebent the housing and twisted the socket in and then replaced assembly. I didn't really want to cut the housing either but in my application, I didn't see any other choice except going to a smaller array that would fit but then you sacrifice output.