Headlights PT425

[Gravy]

Thanks Ponytug and MR for the additional info. After I got the info on the black housing from MR, I was going to remove the entire light assy, but found it hard wired to the switch w/ a double crimp connector and little slack. So, I warmed up the housing w/ hair dryer. When it was softened, I was able to pop the case from around the bezel of the bulb. There were 2 screw/blade connectors on the bulb. After I removed the bulb, I checked out the wiring w/ VOM---light switch ON = 12V reading; light switch OFF = 0V. Seems like it's just a bulb issue, so I'm off to AutoZone, etc. to find a replacement for now.

I would like to add lights up top on the ROPS. There was a post by FOURTEEN awhile back { http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/34740-pt-425-pros-cons-3.html } on replacing lamps w/ halogen 70 watters, and some concerns by TBNers that there may be too much draw so that the alternator can't keep up a charge on battery. FOURTEEN gave a figure of 360 W max, but I'm not sure how this was determined. Is there a rule of thumb as to how much wattage you can add w/o overtaxing the system on a 425?

If we can manage to get together before Thursday, you can look at my ROPS mounted Harbor Fright fog lights. They are not high powered, but they have been all I need without overloading the charging system. I have the original lights stored away if you need one.

 

[tracdoc]

Thanks for the physics refresher, JJ. I'm hoping that the 2 x 70 still = 140W and that your "170 watts" was a typo----otherwise I need some remedial math...

I guess the piece of info that I need to know or measure is the amperage rating on the Alternator for the PT425 fitted with the Robin EH72 (25hp) engine. The Robin Service Manual for this engine just states: "Multipolar charging coil is provided inside of flywheel. Charging capacity is 12V-15A or 12V-30A". As I am not prepared to dismantle the flywheel cover, etc. to inspect the coil, I was wondering if anyone has this piece of data for the Robin engines in the PT , or is their some way I can measure it myself w/ a VOM?

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[Gravy]

Way back when, JackRobin told me that according to the model number mine has the 30A charging system. Yours probably has the same.

 

[J_J]

Thanks for the physics refresher, JJ. I'm hoping that the 2 x 70 still = 140W and that your "170 watts" was a typo----otherwise I need some remedial math...

I guess the piece of info that I need to know or measure is the amperage rating on the Alternator for the PT425 fitted with the Robin EH72 (25hp) engine. The Robin Service Manual for this engine just states: "Multipolar charging coil is provided inside of flywheel. Charging capacity is 12V-15A or 12V-30A". As I am not prepared to dismantle the flywheel cover, etc. to inspect the coil, I was wondering if anyone has this piece of data for the Robin engines in the PT , or is their some way I can measure it myself w/ a VOM?

Thanks again for all the input.

Sorry about the wattage thing, my calculator messed up. Yea, sure

The only way to check it would be to throw a heavy load on it and see what the charging amps are, but you need an amp meter. A cheap automotive amp meter would work.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I thought I had 30 amps on my Deutz, turned out to be 60. Still....

You might want to consider an LED light. there are some nice ones, and I think they will survive the elements a lot better than the filament lights we have. Maybe Ebay?

here is what I did...

 

[ponytug]

My roof mount lights are the same 55W lights as the original PT lights, so I didn't change the load, just the source (and spread) of the lights.

All of my lights were HF specials.

LEDs are a pricey alternative. You might be better off with a cheap HID lamp, but we are not talking cheap there, either. (Last that I checked ebay had the lowest prices, but don't get your hopes up on quality.)

All the best,

Peter

I thought I had 30 amps on my Deutz, turned out to be 60. Still....

You might want to consider an LED light. there are some nice ones, and I think they will survive the elements a lot better than the filament lights we have. Maybe Ebay?

here is what I did...

 

[woodlandfarms]

Peter, do you know what the amp pull is with HID? I guess I could look it up but hearing it from you seems so much more convincing ;-)

 

[MossRoad]

I think my PT425 has 35W bulbs from the factory. I added two more under the canopy. My Kohler has the 15A charging system. I've never seen a drain on the system with all 4 going at the same time. I would be leery of adding 55W halogens at the same time as the two original 35W bulbs, but they would most likely be fine by themselves. I really like my four 35s on at the same time. The top two shine over the top of the implement and I angle the bottom two down and out to the sides. I get great visibility... so much that I am contemplating removing the one by the joystick and mounting it on the rear somewhere. No rear light on the PT425 from the factory.

 

[cqaigy2]

Sorry about the wattage thing, my calculator messed up. Yea, sure

The only way to check it would be to throw a heavy load on it and see what the charging amps are, but you need an amp meter. A cheap automotive amp meter would work.

Or cheap volt/ohm meter. I=V/R if you know the resistance of your load

 

[cqaigy2]

I am contemplating removing the one by the joystick and mounting it on the rear somewhere. No rear light on the PT425 from the factory.

I like that idea, i don't use the PT much at night, but when we had all the snow last year, i was out at night trying to keep ahead of it and you really don't want to back over the edge of the road.