LED Work light

[StrangeRanger]

Well, I ordered LED lights from the same company as Just Bob, but opted for the square 18w. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best mounting point - thinking originally that the threaded nut welded to the ROPS would work best. But, the problem with that location is that it leaves the lights vulnerable if the ROPS is folded (too high up) - and the design of the base wouldn't allow me to hang them upside-down, as the ROPS is angled backward, which would have resulted in the lights pointing toward the sky. So, I decided to mount the bases to the hole just underneath the threaded nut - man was that a hassle! If you look closely, the hole has the lower ROPS edge just behind it, so you can't stick a bolt through from the backside and you can't get a nut in either since it has very little depth. I finally found an M6 bolt with a hex head that I could tap into place from above using a punch (stainless, which was soft enough to knick the edge and force in from the back).

Wired them with a fused relay, even though they draw very little and bought a waterproof, lighted rocker switch from VETCO. I put the switches in the plastic plate to the right of the seat, just behind the 3pt. lever. Overall, I'm very pleased with the installation - I'll just have to see how bright they are tonight. The bumemr is that one of the LED units has 2 of 4 lights blown, so I'm going to have to exchange. Naturally, this requires resoldering and rerunnig the zip ties. Oh well.

If they're bright enough, I'm going to replace my dual-beam Hella worklamp off the back with one as well. The Hella has 2 55w bulbs, which draw plenty. Of course, it's nice and bright, so I may leave well enough alone.

Here's some pictures:

Very sweet set up, but I simply can't pony that kind of $$$ for LED's.
Btw, where in VT are you?
j

 

[YotaBota]

DHD, how do you like the brightness of the lights that you installed? I guess what I am asking is, are they bright or super bright. The lights at autoillumination are pretty pricey.

 

[DHD]

DHD, how do you like the brightness of the lights that you installed? I guess what I am asking is, are they bright or super bright. The lights at autoillumination are pretty pricey.

I don't know if I'd call them bright or super bright.
They are certainly plenty bright enough for me to do loader work or watching something on my 3 point.
The light is white and bright with a nice wide field of view.
The only other lights that I was able to compare my LEDs to were my 35 watt incandesants work lights.
The incandesants had a definitive spot that penitrated the darkness well,
however they did not light up as wide of an area, it was kinda like looking down a tunnel.
The LEDS are brighter than the incandesants, because the incandesants had a yellow hue,
the LEDs have a white hue.

Each LED work light has 54 Led bulbs.

Each LED work light draws 1 amp each.

I hope that helps you

dhd

 

[Tollster]

Wonder if I could save some juice on my dynamo BX23 and put LED's in some of the stock lighting spots. The flashers and perhaps headlights would be nice. I can't say I have seen the for headlamps yet, but sure they are out there somewhere for offroad use.
Do you have to modify the hardness for reduced amperage on any of these applications?
I really like ya'lls lighting ideas and how ya mounted them. That 7200 with the blower on the first page is a sweet little snow machine thats gonna be handed thru the family for years to come...sweeeeet!

 

[DHD]

Wonder if I could save some juice on my dynamo BX23 and put LED's in some of the stock lighting spots. The flashers and perhaps headlights would be nice. I can't say I have seen the for headlamps yet, but sure they are out there somewhere for offroad use.
Do you have to modify the hardness for reduced amperage on any of these applications?
I really like ya'lls lighting ideas and how ya mounted them. That 7200 with the blower on the first page is a sweet little snow machine thats gonna be handed thru the family for years to come...sweeeeet!

Some folks have replaced there stock headlight bulbs with LED replacement bulbs,
and are very happy with them.
Check out the following post.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/160586-kubota-b7800-headlight-upgrade.html

 

[red4now]

As I go through more information on this LED replacement bulb topic, there were a couple of reminders when switching to LED's. We touched on the 360 aspect already for headlights so that the reflector part of the headlight will do its job. The LED manufacturer information also recommends that if you are replacing a bulb for an amber light that has a clear bulb that you should replace it with an amber LED instead ie: hazard flashers and side markers. Same for a red light that has a clear bulb, they recommend a red LED. And then there is intensity / brightness level. Some of those bulbs can have up to 64 LED "wafers" which should produce good light - mind you for for a good price as well. The wattage is not as low as a bulb that has less LED's but still much lower than the 20-30 W bulbs currently installed - somewhere in the 2 W range if I recall.

When I was going over the list of bulbs I would like to replace and switch to LED, the cost is close to or almost the same as the cost of an alternator upgrade - especially if I add the cost of shipping and a nice bright LED work light on the rear like others have already installed....hmmmmmm

I like the idea of LED's, low wattage, last longer etc, but the newer brighter bulbs are not cheap. Maybe have to put this project on hold for a bit and see if the price comes down.

Sorry about rambling on..

 

[bxowner]

Well, this is helpful rambling, red4now. I think it brings us to the point where it boils down to either (a) personal preference or (b) what you're using your tractor for.

In my home, I've tried to replace most all bulbs with energy-efficient ones. I had the opportunity to buy a batch of 40w and 60w bulbs with rebates, so they came to $1.00 each. I don't like them generally, as I much prefer the lighting effect that comes from incandescent. But, energy consumption and $$-wise, they make the most sense. I still have incandescents in my stairwell, for instance, because I want instant, bright light. I don't want to wait for the energy-efficient ones to come up and I don't want to fall down the stairs because I can't see.

Which brings me to my point... the LEDs produce a very white light, which isn't as pleasing to my eye, but illuminates everything very well. Much like xenon in a fancy car. But, the real benefit comes from being able to keep the lights lit without having to run the tractor. I can park the tractor and rake well into the night, for instance. Or shovel. Or click on the lights so I can see in the lean-to without starting the tractor. So, for me, I was inclined to go with the LEDs instead of the alternator upgrade because I don't want to needlessly start the tractor or worry about whether the battery's being charged sufficiently in the dead of winter.

 

[DHD]

I have replaced my 2 incendesant work lights with LED work lights
plus added two more LED work lights and have replaced my headlight bulbs with LEDs.
(less than $190)
Things are much brighter now, and with less amps drawn.
I think by using LEDs in just these areas is adaquate help for my 14.5 amp dyno.
I don't plan to replace taillights and flashers etc with LEDs.

 

[jas67]

I just mounted up two of these:
Maxxima LED Lighting and Accessories

They are very bright, I'd say each one is easily 3 times the light output of both my B7610's headlights combined. I mounted them on the ROPS with magnetic bases (see next paragraph) have one facing forward, and one facing rearward (since I use a rear blade, or rear snow blower).

Based on the a suggestion in another thread, I bought two Hobart magnetic ground clamps from Tractor Supply (about $8), and used them as mounts:
Hobart 800 Amp Magnetic Ground Clamp - 3810721 | Tractor Supply Company

This makes them easy to take on and off, and I can relocate one down to the blower, so I'm not lighting up the snow plumb (although, I didn't bother moving it this morning, and it was just fine). I put both on the I had no problems with snow sticking to them, as with them up on the ROPS pointed downward, snow doesn't land on the lens.

I removed the brass bolt, nut and spring, added a few washers, and bolted the lights right to the magnet bases -- easy as pie! (eating; not baking).

The lights were $63 from "The Trailor Shop" on eBay. I am not the seller of these, nor am I associated with them; just a happy customer.

They only draw about 1A (about 12-14W depending on charge voltage) ea, so they won't overload the wimpy alternators most of our tractors have.

Unless the wife took pictures this morning while I was blowing snow, I don't have any night-time action shots, but might take some up-close shots if anyone is interested.

 

[red4now]

jas67 - thanks for the links to the lights and the magnetic bases! Other options for my work light(s).

 

[psvines]

Anyone just plug work lights into the 12V outlet? That might be an option with the magnetic base, easily removed during the summer months when it stays light so much later.

 

[jas67]

Anyone just plug work lights into the 12V outlet? That might be an option with the magnetic base, easily removed during the summer months when it stays light so much later.

I added a 12V outlet to my B7610, and have a triple adapter plugged into that so I can run both lights, and my safety strobe.

All are magnetic mount for easy removal.

I'll likely put a 12V outlet in the back of my truck and use one anytime I need to hook up a trailer at night.

 

[hump]

Have a question here. I have a new 1860, which alternater do I have. Can't seem to find if I have the wimpy dyno or a real alternater. Help anyone?

 

[newbury]

I just mounted up two of these:
Maxxima LED Lighting and Accessories

Wiring details and pictures?

PLEASE

Especially for those of us who are 7610 owners that can't get my fanny on the seat enough

 

[jas67]

Wiring details and pictures?

PLEASE

Especially for those of us who are 7610 owners that can't get my fanny on the seat enough

As for wiring, I tied into the left tail light. It's pretty small wire, and I would definitely NOT use it for any halogen lights, LED's only, and probably shouldn't run more than two.

I just found out that work is cancelled again today, so, maybe I'll have time to get some pictures.

J.

 

[SpringHollow]

I installed some LED lights on my tractor. I have some pictures here that show the comparison of the "factory" lights versus the LED rights.

PT1850 LED Lights

Ken

 

[texasjohn]

Excellent comparison... makes the point...you want light?? get LED's

 

[red4now]

I installed some LED lights on my tractor. I have some pictures here that show the comparison of the "factory" lights versus the LED rights.

PT1850 LED Lights

Ken

Very good comparison - thanks for the pics!

 

[jas67]

Newbury -- here are the pictures as promised:

The light bulb on the truss above the tractor is 300W.

All three lights plug in via 12V outlets, and are magnetic mount for easy on/off.

The 12V outlet is tied into the tail light wiring vampire taps. The LED lights only draw about 1 Amp each, the LED strobe much less than that.

 

[newbury]

Thanks, I bet many will use these pics.