LED Lights

[MikeyB]

I am contemplating adding another light to my rops to aim backwards to help illuminate the rear while snowblowing. I am getting maxed out on amperage so was thinking about adding an led which draws less than 1 amp.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200407598_200407598

Does anyone have experience with LED's? It doesn't give a watt or lumens equivalent so it is hard to make a comparison.

I have done some searching and this is definitely the cheapest LED that I have found.

Any comments appreciated,
Mike

 

[Ken_CT]

That is the same light I put on my BX23 rops facing rear. I added an LED for the same situation you are in. The BX23 has a dynamo, and there is not a lot of wiggle room for extras. I am very happy with that light, very bright and a nice wide beam. I would recommend it.

 

[MikeyB]

That is the same light I put on my BX23 rops facing rear. I added an LED for the same situation you are in. The BX23 has a dynamo, and there is not a lot of wiggle room for extras. I am very happy with that light, very bright and a nice wide beam. I would recommend it.

Ken,

Thanks for the reply. I have one on order from N'rn Tools. I look forward to the illumination.

Mike

 

[MikeyB]

Ken,

Regarding the dynamo, I had a 6v 8N and feel your pain in that respect. Would it be possible to retrofit with an alternator?

Mike

 

[Ken_CT]

MikeyB, I think there is a thread where someone did it to a BX23, but I really have no need to do it. The new light is probably all I will ever add to the machine, and it is running fine. Originally I had a 55 watt flood on the rops, and when that burned out, rather than replacing the bulb, I put on the new LED style. I had no trouble with running the old single light, but the LED throws much brighter & whiter light. I only have one rear light, and that seems to be plenty for what I use it for, mostly plowing the 450' driveway at night with a front mounted plow. I don't know how many watts it uses, but I understand it is much less.

 

[jester156]

from the product QA section:
Approximately 340 lumens.

It doesn't give a watt or lumens equivalent so it is hard to make a comparison.
Any comments appreciated,
Mike

 

[Rob-D]

Lumens are not directly convertible to watts. They reflect the perception of the human eye to light. With that said you can get a rough estimate:
680 lumens = 1 watt.

As far as LEDs go I've noticed a lot of chip manufacturers are now making chips to power LEDs. It used to be a pain because LEDs need current limiting to run efficiently and for a long life. Right now CFLs still beat them in efficiency but LEDs are catching up with the added benefit that they are more durable.

Rob

 

[MikeyB]

Lumens are not directly convertable to watts. They reflect the perception of the human eye to light. With that said you can get a rough estimate:
680 lumens = 1 watt.

As far as LEDs go I've noticed a lot of chip manufacturers are now making chips to power LEDs. It used to be a pain because LEDs need current limiting to run efficiently and for a long life. Right now CFLs still beat them in efficiency but LEDs are catching up with the added benefit that they are more durable.

Rob

Rob,

Thanks, I think!? I'll be really bummed if I only get .5 watts of light.....
Mike

 

[MikeyB]

Rob,

Thanks, I think!? I'll be really bummed if I only get .5 watts of light.....
Mike

After some reading, it looks like comparing apples to oranges. Both a measurement but very different. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

[Ken_CT]

Rob,

Thanks, I think!? I'll be really bummed if I only get .5 watts of light.....
Mike

According to a comment on the web page, Northern Tool says it is a 12 watt light. I really don't think you will be disappointed, it's quite bright. The light that I replaced was a 55 watt 4x6 rectangular halogen flood light, and new light is brighter.

 

[MikeyB]

According to a comment on the web page, Northern Tool says it is a 12 watt light. I really don't think you will be disappointed, it's quite bright. The light that I replaced was a 55 watt 4x6 rectangular halogen flood light, and new light is brighter.

Ken,

Thanks, it shipped out today so I'll report my results. If it is as bright as a 55w halogen I'll be a happy
camper!

Mike

 

[dnrsslr]

MikeyB, how are these lights working for you? I'm thinking of getting a pair for my tractor also.

 

[jph754]

I put 2 LED work lights on the ROP of my JD 4100 and two rear facing LED lights for back up lights. The 4100 has a small alternator, but I haven't had any problems with the lights. They put out an incredible amount of light and have solved my problem of lighting up the area when plowing at night. I really recommend them

 

[dnrsslr]

I put 2 LED work lights on the ROP of my JD 4100 and two rear facing LED lights for back up lights. The 4100 has a small alternator, but I haven't had any problems with the lights. They put out an incredible amount of light and have solved my problem of lighting up the area when plowing at night. I really recommend them

Where did you get your LED lights? The link by the OP is to Northern Tool, model 1492110 listed at 375 lumens currently listed for $34.99. Northern Tool also has model 1492115 listed with 1350 lumens currently listed at $59.99. If you search ebay for truckstar 1492115, you will get about 10 or 15 results for around $30.99 with shipping.

 

[jph754]

I got mine from a local dealer, East Coast Trailer, in Brockton MA. I do not have the manufacturer or model number available to me right now. I believe that East Coast has a website and you could find them there. The work lights each have 6 LEDs in them and the back up lights are flush mounted and have 6 LEDs as well. I mounted the work lights on the ROP and have them facing forward. The loader blocks the tractor's headlights. The work lights do a great job of lighting up the area in front of the tractor. The back up lights are mounted on the fenders facing to the rear. They are outboard of the weight box, so they do a good job as well.
I also replaced the headlights and hazard lights with LEDs and this reduces the draw of the lights on the battery. The hazards flash pretty fast, but that is not a real problem.

 

[pedalstomper78]

I saw the Northern Tool lights and read 375 Lumens. I know that there are much brighter ones out there that don't really use that much more power. There is a new style of LED called a SMD or a surface mounted diode. These really put out some light compared to what the old LED's did. I know that the lights that appear to be the same size from tractorhelp.com are 1800 lumens. Looked up what halogens typically do and I've seen answers anywhere from 20-22 lumens per watt for a good bulb.

A 27w load is only 2.25A at 12 volts. If your charging system runs at 13v (which most seem to), we are just a shade under 2.1 amps. Hopefully this information can help!