Need Advice on Lighting

jc7622 · May 31, 2006

I will begin by saying that I am electrically challenged.

I do a some of my tractor work at night and want to upgrade to brighter overhead lights. How do I determine if a particular set of lights will not overload my circuit and blow fuses or melt wires? Do I need to stay below the amps of that particular fuse? Is there any rule of thumb for calculating the potential amps that will draw based on what the light mfgr's wattage?

JC

jc7622 · May 31, 2006

I will begin by saying that I am electrically challenged.

I do a some of my tractor work at night and want to upgrade to brighter overhead lights. How do I determine if a particular set of lights will not overload my circuit and blow fuses or melt wires? Do I need to stay below the amps of that particular fuse? Is there any rule of thumb for calculating the potential amps that will draw based on what the light mfgr's wattage?

JC

montanaman · May 31, 2006

Watts divided by volts = amps.

You can always go the safe route and power the lights with a relay hooked directly to the battery and fused for the draw the lights will be pulling.

Ken

montanaman · May 31, 2006

Watts divided by volts = amps.

You can always go the safe route and power the lights with a relay hooked directly to the battery and fused for the draw the lights will be pulling.

Ken

JimmyBean · May 31, 2006

Hi JC,
I just upgraded my 5740C front lights to 55 Watt bulbs because the 35's kept breaking the filaments off from vibration. Don't know if anyone else is having this problem? Anyhow, they work just fine and make 1/3 more light. I left the same 10 amp fuse in the block also. I found the bulbs at TSC for $4.40 each. Hope this helps.

JimmyBean

JimmyBean · May 31, 2006

Hi JC,
I just upgraded my 5740C front lights to 55 Watt bulbs because the 35's kept breaking the filaments off from vibration. Don't know if anyone else is having this problem? Anyhow, they work just fine and make 1/3 more light. I left the same 10 amp fuse in the block also. I found the bulbs at TSC for $4.40 each. Hope this helps.

JimmyBean