Kohler Courage Pro 27hp Stator Output?

[Preppypyro]

Hey guys and gals,

I have a Kohler courage 27 horse engine on my zero turn, and I would like to add some lights to my mower, and I cant seem to find any solid information on how much power output these stators have, or what sized lights I could throw on my mower.

Hopefully I put this in the correct forum, and if anyone has any input, or could even point me in the right direction that would be great. Up here in Canada we have Princess Auto stores (similar to HF stores down in the states) and they always have driving lights, and all kinds of lights on for good deals.

Thanks.

 

[seaneastok]

This is the same engine that many other manufacturers use on zt mowers and they offer light kit's with two 35 watt lights. That being said I have the same engine in my dixie and I added lights with no problem..
Sean

 

[Gator6x4]

Most stators output about 27 volts AC at wide open throttle. The rectifier/ voltage regulators coverts that to DC volts and a volt meter set to DC should read 13.85 - 14. something when probes are touched to the positive and negative posts on the battery. Lights are AMP hogs. LED lights are not so much in the hoggish pen as the others. Use a relay in the circuit to capture the AMP draw heat generated by the lights when in use.

 

[Preppypyro]

Thanks for the replies guys, Ill look at getting some 35 watt lights and installing them.

Gator, Im not familiar with the relay in the circuit like you mentioned, care to go into it a little more? Like where would the relay need to be wired in?

 

[Gator6x4]

Thanks for the replies guys, Ill look at getting some 35 watt lights and installing them.

Gator, Im not familiar with the relay in the circuit like you mentioned, care to go into it a little more? Like where would the relay need to be wired in?

Okay here are enough diagrams to confuse even an electrical engineer.

aux light relay wiring - Google Search

This is the simplest.

http://www.weendoggy.com/images/relay_wiring.jpg

 

[Gator6x4]

Okay here are enough diagrams to confuse even an electrical engineer.

aux light relay wiring - Google Search

This is the simplest.

http://www.weendoggy.com/images/relay_wiring.jpg

Okay Preppypyro I am awake enough now to provide the wiring instructions for the "Simply Diagram".

To start the wiring for your light project, visit Radio Shack or an Auto Supply House.

Obtain:

1 Four prong relay -30-85-86-87 Prongs on back
1 Waterproof switch
1 20 AMP circuit breaker

Wiring: You will need (red) wiring from the battery to the relay and on to the lights. Red wire from a power source to the switch. (Ignition switch is a good location to obtain this power source) Blue wire from switch to relay. Black wire to ground.

Now run a hot red wire from the positive post on the battery to post or prong number 30 on the relay. Install the 20 AMP circuit breaker in this wire at a convenient location so it can be re-set in the event it trips.

Run a wire from post or prong number 85 on the relay to a good ground.

Install the light on-off switch in a convenient location; locate a twelve volt source on the ignition switch when in the on position. Run a wire from this source to the switch.

Now run a wire from the switch to post or prong number 86 on the relay.

Run a wire from prong or post number 87 to the lights.

Now when you turn the ignition switch on voltage is supplied to your on-off light switch. When you activate or move the light switch to the on position, it will collapse the relay allowing a grounding to occur and voltage will flow through the relay from the battery to the lights. Any heat generated will be captured in the relay. All wiring, switches, etc should remain cool to the touch.

 

[CobyRupert]

Basically a relay is typically used so that you don't have the high current (or high voltage) of the load (lights) running through the switch. (or if you need a small switch to turn on/off 3 phase power, etc...) The switch only needs to turn on/off the small current required to operate the relay's coil that mechanically closes (pulls in) the relay's contacts that switch the load.
If you are adding LED lights that draw little current (amps) that a switch can easily handle , don't worry about the relay. (Remember: Power (Watts) = Volts x Amps, example: 35 Watt light/12V = 2.9 amps draw.) Using #14, #16 or even #18 AWG wires, there would be little heat generated by the wire's resistance for a 3 amp, 5 amp or even 10amp (120 Watt) light circuit.

 

[Preppypyro]

Awesome explanations guys, thanks very much. I know my way around wiring fairly well, but never have used relays, or had much to do with them besides replacing them.

For lights I havent really found anything great yet. I have found a pair of decent 55 watt lights that would fit nice, but I dont know if 2 55 watt lights would be too much for the system. Any thoughts?

I was checking around ebay last night and there is a ton of led driving lights from overseas. I know they wouldnt be that durable or anything, but they are cheap, and if they actually throw good light, it might be worth it. Think most of the ones I was looking at were 15 watt led clusters as well, low profile so they would mount on the zero turn really nice.


What do you guys figure about the 55 watt pair of lights, or maybe some cheapy led's? Ive just started my search now, going to try and search a little more online as well, as I am getting to like having stuff shipped right to my mailbox! (or post office)

On Edit: I think I am going to scratch the idea of 55 watters, and try to find some good 35 watt lights, or I think I might even try some LED's. So forget teh part about the 55 watt lights. I think they will draw too much.

 

[RandyT]

Two 55 watt bulbs will pull just a hair under 10 amp. The regulator should be in the neighborhood of 15-20 amp output. If using the electric clutch, with the lights you are about to the maximum output of the charging system.

 

[Preppypyro]

Yeah that was sort of my thought as well, and I dont want to keep the charging system at max output when I do use lights.

Thats the other funny thing, I only need lights maybe a handful of times a season, but they sure are needed when I do need them.

Priced out some led lights for 50 some bucks for a pair off of ebay. Thinking i might get those yet, they are 15watt led's, so with 2 of them they should light up really well, and not use a bunch of power.