LED lights installed & protection

[Zick]

Finally got my 4 27watt LED light hooked up. See this thread for were they came from and extra info: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/298867-tuff-led-light-sale-amazon.html

Took me a while to figure up a placement for them in a way that they would be protected and not obstructive. I really wanted them up on top of the ROP to provide the best coverage but I've got a bunch of lower tree branches that currently hit the very top of the ROP (and I don't want to trim the branches any higher).
In between the ROPs but underneath would have worked but I would have been blocking some of the light.
So I decided they would go on the sides of the ROPs but still worried about the tree branches hitting them so I built a box to house them in.

Really wish I had a press brake to bend this. Had to do it by hand so it didn't come out perfectly square.



Front view



Rear view


Some initial testing.
Front stock headlights


With just the front LED lights

 

[GGB]

Nice work, a very clean installation. I'm still looking to see which one of the guards is out of square-could have fooled me! Pretty impressive given that you didn't have a press brake.

 

[Zick]

Nice work, a very clean installation. I'm still looking to see which one of the guards is out of square-could have fooled me! Pretty impressive given that you didn't have a press brake.

Thanks!
Maybe the paint helps hide the defects. :laughing:

 

[lostcreekranch]

Zick;

Nice job with the boxes to protect the lights. What gauge sheet metal did you use?

 

[Zick]

Zick;

Nice job with the boxes to protect the lights. What gauge sheet metal did you use?

Thanks,
It's 16 gauge metal.

 

[dragoneggs]

Nice job... great that you protected them due to their exposed location. And I see that you are in the 'no holes in ROPS' faction. I personally think that is smart although not as clean. Well done :thumbsup:

 

[Zick]

Nice job... great that you protected them due to their exposed location. And I see that you are in the 'no holes in ROPS' faction. I personally think that is smart although not as clean. Well done :thumbsup:

Thanks,
Although I have no real issue w/ drilling into the ROPs as far as safety goes (assuming you’re not making a giant hole). My real issue with making a hole in the ROPs is that it's just another place that can let water enter and possible start rusting.

 

[kevin37b]

Looks good . Nice garage .

 

[Bob77064]

Good job, nice work.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks,
Although I have no real issue w/ drilling into the ROPs as far as safety goes (assuming you’re not making a giant hole). My real issue with making a hole in the ROPs is that it's just another place that can let water enter and possible start rusting.

Yep, this is what I continue to advocate. Rust, cracks, paint lifting, not to mention possible voiding of warranty.

 

[srs]

Zick, you did a really nice job. Just a thought and please don't take this as a criticism. To prevent you from possibly cutting yourself on the exposed bolts maybe you could use shorter bolts and "acorn" nuts to secure the lights. I know in the past my hand always seems to find the end of a bolt to cut my fingers/hand. Stanley

 

[Zick]

Good job, nice work.

Looks good . Nice garage .

Thanks!

Zick, you did a really nice job. Just a thought and please don't take this as a criticism. To prevent you from possibly cutting yourself on the exposed bolts maybe you could use shorter bolts and "acorn" nuts to secure the lights. I know in the past my hand always seems to find the end of a bolt to cut my fingers/hand. Stanley

No worries, I was planning to cut off the excess bolt thread anyways. Hadn't thought about using an acorn nut, but I like that idea!
:thumbsup:

 

[Looking4new]

Nice! Did you ground the lights electrically or just mechanically. ie; run the ground wire under the mounting bolt.

 

[Zick]

Nice! Did you ground the lights electrically or just mechanically. ie; run the ground wire under the mounting bolt.

Ran a ground wire all the way back to the battery.

 

[Looking4new]

I was hoping you wouldn't say that. Okay, I will.

 

[Zick]

I'm sure you could get away without it, but I was already running a couple power wires anyway so one extra wire didn't make much difference.

 

[Mike476]

Nice job, nothing like being able to see!

 

[woodlandfarms]

Very nice. Now you are going to have LED'itis. You will swap out your front 27's for the new 48's and put the 27's pointing out the sides so you can see all around. You say no, I say give it a year.

 

[Zick]

Very nice. Now you are going to have LED'itis. You will swap out your front 27's for the new 48's and put the 27's pointing out the sides so you can see all around. You say no, I say give it a year.

No..............well now that you mention it, I was thinking about upgrading the factory headlight w/ LEDs but I can't find any.

 

[woodlandfarms]

To be honest I was blown away how bright the 48 watts are from my original 27's and now that the price is down... I have 2 - 27's that will get moved to the engine compartment (my tractor swivels in the center) so that when the end turns I can see in that direction.