LED flashlights for tractor lighting - Will it work??!!!

[beppington]

Well, we're gonna find out. Preliminary write-up/ plan here, with pics, results & discussion to follow.

I bought a couple 3-packs of small but very bright handheld LED flashlights at HD. (The package comes with the 3 flashlights, 2 of the strap-on LED head lights, & 15 Everyready AAA batteries (3 for each light) for $14.00)

These little flashlights are very impressive! It dawned on me that I might able to line them up & mount them on my tractor's roof for added lighting since the loader blocks the headlights.

I've been hesitant to buy the standard fixed LED lighting units because 1) they are darn expensive, and 2) I wasn't sure what the beam result would look like or how bright they'd be. If I knew for sure I'd be happy with what I'd be getting, I'd pony up.

I'm going to attach 6 of these flashlights to a 2x4 & bolt that to my tractor roof with a single lag bolt going into each end of the 2x4 so that I can just reach up & pivot the whole thing up or down in order to focus the light where I want it in front of the tractor (in closer or out further away). Also, each flashlight will be mounted separately on a single bolt so I can rotate each one to point where I want it. I envision all 6 being oriented evenly across the front of the tractor for a somewhat uniform amount of light.

Last night I turned off my headlights & drove around using just one of these flashlights, & it was amazing. That 1 flashlight is as bright, or maybe even a little brighter than, my Kubota OEM headlights. I'm excited to see the light output of 6 of these.

The on/off button is on the back of the flashlight, so I will have to reach up & hit 6 buttons if I want all 6 on at once. On the other hand, there may be times when I don't need all of them. We shall see.

Like many flashlights, these allow you to focus or widen the beam by turning the lens end of the flashlight.

Some things I wonder about:

- How long will the AAA batteries will last? I may wish these could be wired into the Kubota 12V system, & if I love this setup, I'll look into that.

- Will the flashlights stand up to the sometimes harsh bouncing of the tractor?

Anyway, pics & results to follow ... Do ya'll think it'll work?

The 2x4 mount will be bolted between the two vertical 2x4's in this poor pic I tried to draft up:

 

[Martian]

I'm a little confused on the purpose, is to have extra light to see or for safety purposes like a flashing light so people can see you?

Anyway I would expect it to work all right - it will brighten things up but in the long term I would get some actual LED headlights to wire around the top and wire it into the switch.

I would be curious to see how heavy duty your flashlights are seeing they are brighter then the Kubota's - I couldn't imagine that great of battery life - especially with them being AA's but I guess only time will tell.

 

[beppington]

I'm a little confused on the purpose, is to have extra light to see or for safety purposes like a flashing light so people can see you?

They're to help light my way. Sometimes I mow after dark, & the loader blocks the headlights. These lights will shine from a much higher location than the headlights, therefore will shine over the loader.

I would be curious to see how heavy duty your flashlights are seeing they are brighter then the Kubota's - I couldn't imagine that great of battery life - especially with them being AA's but I guess only time will tell.

These little things are shocking as to their brightness. I don't know how to rate them as to "heavy duty" or whatever, but when one of them is equal to or greater than the Kubota headlights, that should give you an idea.

 

[Martian]

They're to help light my way. Sometimes I mow after dark, & the loader blocks the headlights. These lights will shine from a much higher location than the headlights, therefore will shine over the loader.

These little things are shocking as to their brightness. I don't know how to rate them as to "heavy duty" or whatever, but when one of them is equal to or greater than the Kubota headlights, that should give you an idea.

I see. I have the same problem but have yet to do anything to fix it. Mines usually snow plowing though. And by heavy duty I meant bright. They must be pretty well made to outshine the Kubotas though!

Be sure to give an update after you get some more use though - if it works well I might due the same!

 

[woodlandfarms]

LED do not "throw" a great distance. It is due to bulb design that is currently being worked out. To create a throw, wattage and numbers of bulbs are increased. Many people find staring down an LED light to be much more painful / bright at the same distance to a comparable incandescent bulb.

Might I suggest that you approach this differently. If you want, check on Ebay for led lights. I just bought a set of 60 LED flashing lights (Flashing has NOTHING to do with the light, it is the controller) and installed them as reverse lights on my quad. They came from China which is something I have started to change in my word, but they were $20 with shipping. Simple 12 volt wiring and an outdoor rated switch and I am in very bright business.

I did have to run a bead of caulk around the housing, but they work quite well.

Adding another note. I do not feel cheap LED's are ready for primetime. The good "work" led's are around $100. I am referring to design and comparison with an incandescent style flood lamp for automotive use.

Finally, I moved my lights to my canopy and am SO happy. With an FEL usual placement of lights are a waste IMO.

Carl

 

[rgs03833]

Hi, I hope this will help you

I recently put 6 LED's in my Lawn Tractor (See Pix below). Got them on Ebay for $6.45 for 2 of them. It's called H7 Car 102 3020 Chip SMD LED about 400Lumen each Example... Ebay Item number: 330661662827.

NOTE: Do NOT get the one that is 3528 Chip SMD LED, they suck alot of power and give you less light.

I made 2 just regular light, and then 4 on High Beam with a switch on my Tractor. Mouse over the Pix to see Descriptions and Info. Also I enclosed a Sample of Solar Light Encloser I remade, maybe give you some idea...

I suggest you to buy the 10W LED Spotlight / Floodlight (Last Pix) also it's Waterproof, it's cheaper $24.00 on Ebay (Even Cheaper now $19.00 Item number:120827918357) and you can just hook it to your 12V Lights on your Tractor, just put a switch so you can turn off and on that is all, also rated at 1000Lumen Cool White, which is bright and I might put it on mine soon... For Back Up in the Snow Storm

I think you bought what I did at HD, it's called CREE LED if i'm correct. They are bright for their 1W. But they said the Battery will last only 2 Hours most, for 3xAAA. Another thing you can do with these is Connect them in Series... That way you can use them right from your Tractor 12V. Just connect them 3 each since they are rated 4.5V per bulb.

Any questions, just ask... I have done bunch of LED's... Including my house and I have pix to prove it, LOL

Hope that will help!

 

[beppington]

The flashlights mounted to the 2x4 (2x4 not cut to length yet; or painted!):

 

[General Lee]

Those lights look like one I have a buddy gave me. He got a 3 pack at costco and I will say these lights are IMPRESSIVE for the price. Very very bright. Does yours have 3 brightness sightings?

 

[beppington]

Those lights look like one I have a buddy gave me. He got a 3 pack at costco and I will say these lights are IMPRESSIVE for the price. Very very bright. Does yours have 3 brightness sightings?

I agree on the brightness being impressive! ... but no, they only have on / off.

I cut the 2x4 to length & mounted it last night, but it was cold as a _____ ... yes, even here in FL! ... so I'll take pics of the mount & the light results ASAP.

 

[ak9]

beppington
I've Quite a few of those same lights you are using . I'm mostly using them on firearms as they have a 1" OD housing and fit in "scope" rings easily. Some of the ones I have, have the on/off button on the end and can be swapped out to a pressure switch.I'm not sure you will get the throw out of them ?
And you'll probably need to stock up on batteries . But the Idea of being able to have a mounted flash light on the tractor that can be removed and used @ the machines is goodto have.
A few months back I bought a black 4 M candle power spot light @ tractor supply~$20 It was a p.o.s. Retured it and bought a 3 million candle power with a silver housing for $8.00 and it was a much better light. It's 12V rechargable and cig lighter plugable throws a beam out 300-400 yards x 30 yards flood.I have 2 100watt K/C lights on my tractor already but if they burn out I'll be using one of these spots on it then.
Ak9

 

[beppington]

beppington
I've Quite a few of those same lights you are using . I'm mostly using them on firearms as they have a 1" OD housing and fit in "scope" rings easily. Some of the ones I have, have the on/off button on the end and can be swapped out to a pressure switch.I'm not sure you will get the throw out of them ?

In the cold last night I did turn all 6 lights on to get a quick preview of what the light will look like, & the throw appears to be sufficient. I really only need the ground pretty close in front of the tractor lit up, maybe 25-30 feet away, & off to the sides 5 or 10 feet, & these seem to do that. I hope I can get some pics that will accurately show what I see.

And you'll probably need to stock up on batteries .

Yeah, if these things eat up batteries too often I'll prob scrap this idea altogether & call it a failed venture. We'll see. I'm kinda thinking I won't use them that much that it will seem like I'm buying batteries all the time, but not sure yet.

But the Idea of being able to have a mounted flash light on the tractor that can be removed and used @ the machines is goodto have.

That's what I thought, too: Always nice to have a few flashlights around.

A few months back I bought a black 4 M candle power spot light @ tractor supply~$20 It was a p.o.s. Retured it and bought a 3 million candle power with a silver housing for $8.00 and it was a much better light. It's 12V rechargable and cig lighter plugable throws a beam out 300-400 yards x 30 yards flood.I have 2 100watt K/C lights on my tractor already but if they burn out I'll be using one of these spots on it then.
Ak9

Seems like there's a revolution on flashlights going on right now! Some places you can get really good cheap flashlights, & other places expensive flashlights that aren't very good ... & sometimes the same store has both!

 

[edlegault]

I have several AAA and a couple AA battery powered LED flashlights. Depending on the lumens output they last anywhere from a couple hours to 90+ hours of intermittent operation. My favorite is sold by coleman and is 90 lumens output and lasts for probably 70-90 hours of intermittent use.

Get some good low discharge NiMH rechargebles and a good charger. The batteries can sit around for 6-12 months and still have a charge, unlike regular nimhs or nicads.

 

[beppington]

Hi, I hope this will help you

I recently put 6 LED's in my Lawn Tractor (See Pix below). Got them on Ebay for $6.45 for 2 of them. It's called H7 Car 102 3020 Chip SMD LED about 400Lumen each Example... Ebay Item number: 330661662827.

NOTE: Do NOT get the one that is 3528 Chip SMD LED, they suck alot of power and give you less light.

I made 2 just regular light, and then 4 on High Beam with a switch on my Tractor. Mouse over the Pix to see Descriptions and Info. Also I enclosed a Sample of Solar Light Encloser I remade, maybe give you some idea...

I suggest you to buy the 10W LED Spotlight / Floodlight (Last Pix) also it's Waterproof, it's cheaper $24.00 on Ebay (Even Cheaper now $19.00 Item number:120827918357) and you can just hook it to your 12V Lights on your Tractor, just put a switch so you can turn off and on that is all, also rated at 1000Lumen Cool White, which is bright and I might put it on mine soon... For Back Up in the Snow Storm

I think you bought what I did at HD, it's called CREE LED if i'm correct. They are bright for their 1W. But they said the Battery will last only 2 Hours most, for 3xAAA. Another thing you can do with these is Connect them in Series... That way you can use them right from your Tractor 12V. Just connect them 3 each since they are rated 4.5V per bulb.

Any questions, just ask... I have done bunch of LED's... Including my house and I have pix to prove it, LOL

Hope that will help!

OK, it took me a while to digest your post, but I did now :thumbsup:

Are the LED's you put in your lawn tractor direct bulb replacements? Or do they require modifying the stock light fixture and/or modifying the wiring?

The LED floodlight you posted might work well if it can handle the bumps it will experience being mounted on a tractor roof. What do you think?

 

[rgs03833]

OK, it took me a while to digest your post, but I did now :thumbsup:

Answer

LOL

Are the LED's you put in your lawn tractor direct bulb replacements? Or do they require modifying the stock light fixture and/or modifying the wiring?

Answer

They are H7 Bulbs, look at the end of it, you see the Metal.. They are SPADE CLIPS, you can get them at Walmart or Automotive store, simple to do, just cut the wire and then clamp it. Or if you got a soldering gun, that would be a breeze... How else can you go wrong, Possitive to Possitive, Negative to Negative, LOL

The LED floodlight you posted might work well if it can handle the bumps it will experience being mounted on a tractor roof. What do you think?

Answer

All you need is Bolts, the side Bolts that is on there you can just tighten them to the angle you want, you can adjust in the future too, that is a +++++++. The other end where you would Bolt to your Tractor have 3 holes.. i think that would hold nicely.

I hate to see you waste your batteries... Also, you have to switch on and off 6 X, LOL

I also mentioned, you can open the Flashlights, drill holes and connect them in series and solder them... but NOT water or snow proof, headaches in future...

Like this... in 3's

1+ go to 2- and 2+ go to 3- then 3+ go to your battery +

Lastly connect your 1- to your battery -

Because they are rated at 4.5 volts, since you connect 3 of them you got 13.5 volts, your Tractorr battery is about 12.5volts ... So you can use them directly to your tractor battery. No need to buy AAA batteries,,, LOL

Also, you can put an on and off switch between the 3+ and your Tractor battery +, this way you can just turn them on with a switch.

TIPS

Instead of doing all that, just buy the Floodlight i suggested before... No Weather gonna get it, rain or snow, your light will be ok, adjust any angle you want and no hassels, and no batteries to buy... More money the other way.

PS. You are gonna get more and use it as you headlights, and back up at night too, you'll see lol

 

[texasjohn]

my experience with flashlights that look like that is that the spring in the end cap between battery and switch gives poor connectivity over time and thus intermittant operation. I'd be concerned about durability in your application but applaud your innovation:thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

This light attaches magnetically. Good bit of light. Im going to mount a metal strip on the front edge of my canopy and try a couple of them.
27 LED Portable Worklight/Flashlight

 

[texasjohn]

I have one of those, wouldn't give enough light for me in THAT application, but may meet your needs.