I asked the Kubota service mgr how to wire lights

stevenf · Dec 14, 2004

The Kubota service mgr said if it was him he would use the wires under the rear fenders to hookup some lights to mount on my ROPS. I plan on two forward and one back. I've looked at the post about the magnetic lights using the welding magnet but TSC sells a Flood magnetic made by blazer they are 55watt each for around $10. with wire and cigarette plug I figured I'd just cut the plug off and wire to a switch.
1. Has anyone bought the ones from TSC and are they any good?
2. Does wiring to the back marker lights make sense or should I wire to the fuse block directly?
3. The Kubota M9000 (no cab, no air, just open air Rops) has a 45 amp alternator any problems with overtaxing the electrical system?
4. Do I need to put a relay between switch and lights if I use appropriate amp marine switches?
Any helpful tips are always appreciated.
Steve

KennyV · Dec 15, 2004

Hi Steve…
The factory wiring is adequate for what it was intended to supply, but if you are exceeding the original by much you may want to run your own supply.

The factory front and rear work light wiring on my L4200 is not heavy enough to run the halogen lights I switched to, I am ok with the front OR the rear.. BUT with both there is voltage drop on my supply (factory) wire. Next time I have the top off (cab model) I intend to run that supply wire in 12 gage.

On your application, if the 55 watt lights are rated at 12 volts you will be adding almost 14 amps to the load already on that circuit… That is more than you would want to add. If I were you I would run a separate run 14 gage, fuse your supply. Switches rated for the load will be fine. BUT you might consider the relay to be sure you kill all power when key is off. (no accidental dead battery from leaving lights on during a long lunch break oops) Your switches rated at current draw will handle the switching and your relay will supply and remove power to those switches without running that load through your key switch. Don’t know about TSC lights but the price sounds about right. KennyV.

surfran · Dec 15, 2004

I'm not familiar with the ones TSC sells, but I have (2) Magnetic based 55W Halogen and (1) other 55W Halogen mounted on my BX1800. My alternator doesn't have the capacity of yours and it hasn't given me any problems. I also ran from the wiring supplied to the back under the seat of my unit. It is fused at 20A near the battery and I installed a 15A fuse before my switch. I didn't bother with a relay as the switch was rated at 15A and it has worked ok so far (last Winter season).

Relay's are better for your switch, but if you have a rated switch it shouldn't be an issue. I would also make sure your fusing is appropriate (fuses are cheap insurance vs. arcing out the wiring and potentially causing other problems).

Good luck

wvhillbilly · Dec 21, 2004

Watch your current draw.. A 55 watt light at 12 volts draws 4.58 amps. If that is a 10 amp fuse for those wires under the fender, Guess what..... You can only hook up two lights. 3 lights would put you at 13.75 amps. Blow fuses all day long.
If it is a 15 amp fuse however, you will be good.
Dave

PineRidge · Dec 21, 2004

Might recommend that before you increase your fuse size to 15 amps that you be absolutely certain that the wire will first handle a 15 amp current. Increasing the size of the fuse on a sub-standard circuit may be asking for trouble.

stevenf · Dec 21, 2004

Pine ridge I was thinking the same thing. Its funny that the service manager told me to splice into them when Kubota sells a work light kit and surely they just plug it in and when I look under my seat there is a unconnected flat plug that I'll lay you odds is where they would plug it in at I'm going to do some research but if I don't find anything I'm thinking I'll go to the fuse block that I believe has some unused circuits and install my own wire and switch from there.
Steve

PineRidge · Dec 21, 2004

Steve we have run more than a couple of circuits ourselves on our tractor and have always tied into the hot side of the buss on the fuse block. We immediately fuse the circuit and then run the appropriate gauge wire to suit the amp draw of the circuit involved. It's safer that way IMHO.

Freds · Dec 21, 2004

I have a spare plug under my seat, too. I asked my dealer about it and wiring lights in the future and he said to use it, but he didn't ask about amps or load draw...