John Deere 4200 Work Lights

[DeereDoc]

Really wondering what the best route to go with my 4200 would be.

I am thinking of adding 4 work lights under the ROPS - 2 forward and 2 back. I am in a northern climate so snow and the LEDs not melting snow/ice away is a concern.

I know my alternator is 40a but cannot really find a reference to know how much it is drawing currently with the headlights, warning lights, dash light and etc. Basically I don't know how much "room" I have left from an amperage standpoint - I did read that going up to 80% is fine i.e. 32a draw but what do I have so far?

I don't mind spending the $ on LEDs assuming they are "better" but I have yet to convince myself that they truly are. Do they put off more lumens? Are they brighter than halogen? Or is the biggest advantage simply a lower amperage draw per same amount of light.

Is there a source for LED headlight bulbs to decrease overall amperage draw - would that make sense?

What would be some recommended brands of LEDs (I prefer square/rectangle) if that is considered the best option. I would be hesitant to spend much more than $100 per light (since I am thinking 4). Based on some previous threads I did look at some Maxxima lights that seemed good.

But heck - if I have the alternator to simply add four 35w or 55w halogens maybe that would be better anyway.

sorry for all the questions - first time poster, take it easy on me

 

[Scrambler82]

Right now LEDs are not your best bet $$$ wise.
As far as the Snow/ice on the lights, your point about melting is a good one that I will remember for my lights.
Output on LED is better than it used to be, low current draw helps out the tractor crowd but think twice about them, test a set out and see if it is what you want and need.

Most of the Worklight circuits on Tractors are not set up for multi-light systems so think twice about using a Work Light Circuit to power more than one 35 watt light.

Best bet is to use a new circuit for each set of two lights, i.e. Relay, Switches, Wire and Fuses properly gauged for the application.

Wal Mart has some decent light, less than $100/ea and some are in sets but remember the alternator output amperage when deciding which wattagge to buy.
Wal Mart may not be Tractor Supply but it is another choice...

4 lights x 35 watts = 140 watts / 12 V = 12 amp that will work OK but if you go to 4 x 55 watts = 220 / 12 V = 18.3 amps, you are now really asking the OEM alternator to start working OT to keep up.

You might consider some of the 35 w backup lights like KC Hi-Lites puts out, small rectanglular units, waterproof and a necent output pattern, you will need to test them out and see if the output is OK.

 

[hanson1999]

go to sloanexpress. buy the 3x5 halogen oval worklights from them. (they are identical to the worklights jd sells, but way cheaper. made by speaker) . then go to ebay and buy a HID conversion kit. (Those lights take 880 bulbs). Very hard to beat for them money! Have used many sets of them on equipment and am very happy

 

[nealfris]

Deere Doc, here is my two cents.
First I put two rectangular led lights on my pick up truck. As a plow truck I put the lights up high on the racks (pointing back) for max light. On my first outing at night I found myself very very disappointed. I never considered the blue hue of the led's. It was rendered nearly useless against the snow cover I was dealing with.
As far as the work lights: I just finished my 4 light project on my ROPS. I asked many questions on here (TBN) and got very helpful and generous input. The previous math is correct. Many people advised that 40 amp alt. would work fine with 4x 55 watt lights= 18.3 amps. I did a lot of shopping and wound up at Autozone. A pair of rectangular fog lights ($20 pr) including 15 amp fuse and holder, lighted switch and complete wiring. The lights pro ject a horizontal spot line with some flood characteristics. Not perfect. but for the price and night testing, just fine for me.
Per advice on here I purchased 2 relays ($6ea) per pair. I switched out the thin wiring with, I think 14 gauge wire (100' roll from truck supply $18) from power to relay to lights. Used included, (16-20 gauge) wire from switched side of ignition to switch to relay. On my Kubota with out cab there was no place for non waterproof switches. I wound up taking lower cover off the dash and mounted switches horizontal facing down under dash, drilling 4 small holes and using screw and nut. I then put a label (work lights) on dash just above little screws. I got power off hot lead on started for convenience. After testing everything I covered all wires with plastic loom for a factory look.
Now for the light install. First, I checked the mount point of my ROPS for rubber isolation. Discovering mine had none I could ground the light at the mounting point of the lights. I broke all the rules and drilled a 3/8" horizontal hole through the ROPS on sides near top, so as to install a pair on inside and a pair on the out side. Then another 3/8" hole on the back beside a welded post that is stop for my hinged ROPS. I fished wires with loom up the ROPS on each side, through the holes to the lights. Only about 6 " wire is exposed on back of ROPS. For the actual install I used a piece of threaded rod with plastic and steel washers with locking nuts. That makes the light movable but tight. Now the lights will move side to side and up and down. I configured the wires so I could move either pair 180deg. The lights can now be facing all in the same direction. I could not use the supplied brackets because they were too short. I made new brackets with about a 2" throat for attacthing locking nuts and wiggle room.The way I placed my lights is vertical. After some pre-planning I quickly realized, with the second seat for my back hoe I could not mount them under the ROPS horizontaly. I didn't want them above the ROPS and under, my head would hit them. More importantly, my hair would light on fire :ashamed:
I now can sit on the BH with lights at my shoulders.
Regarding the over taxed altenator, I plan on leaving my headlights off. They are of little use as the large round cross member on my loader almost blocks them completely.
Hope this helps.

Neal

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN DD

I added 4 50 watt lights to my ROPS, and my alternator is only 20 amps. Look Here (or in the Picasa link it my signature): http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/69583-roll-over-protective-structure-rollbar.html

You will find that with the lights on the ROPS, you won't use the headlight so them drawing current is not a concern...they are usually blocked by the loader or blade if using a plow so having them on is useless. The other draw on the system is very low so don't fret your 40 amp alternator.

Just be sure to create a new 30 amp circuit powered through a relay and do not use the factory wiring harness for all this extra power-it's not rated for it.

 

[DeereDoc]

Awesome, thanks for all the help!

I was kinda thinking that LEDs weren't going to be my best choice, glad for the insight that my alternator will probably be fine.

I had read plenty of threads prior to posting about wiring from the battery or starter and relays and etc. - I think this will be a fun project for me.

Maybe I will try to post some pics as I do it.............but knowing me I will get all excited about it and not take the time out to take pics and post them.

 

[grsthegreat]

go to sloanexpress. buy the 3x5 halogen oval worklights from them. (they are identical to the worklights jd sells, but way cheaper. made by speaker) . then go to ebay and buy a HID conversion kit. (Those lights take 880 bulbs). Very hard to beat for them money! Have used many sets of them on equipment and am very happy

HID conversions? what is this exactly?

i have an hid flashlight, and MAN is it powerful. bulb lakes a minute or 2 to fully light up, but its major blinding

 

[hanson1999]

HID conversions? what is this exactly?

i have an hid flashlight, and MAN is it powerful. bulb lakes a minute or 2 to fully light up, but its major blinding

HID lights are like those you see on some newer cars and lots of full size farm equipment....do a search on them they are very impressive

 

[DeereDoc]

HID lights are like those you see on some newer cars and lots of full size farm equipment....do a search on them they are very impressive

Do they use more juice than the halogens?