Question about the wiring for work lights on the Kubota BX

Dropsix · Oct 24, 2016

Hey All,

Just got my tractor a few weeks ago and am looking to add some lights to it. Ideally I would like to tap into the wires for the work lights to the left of the PTO as many have done.

However, I was wondering if anyone had any info regarding this connection? Is it fused, does it have a relay in it?

The setup that I have going on is a 20" LED light bar (126 watts) facing the front and then two square 4" lights (18 watts) facing the back. What I'd like to do is run the front and rear lights down the rops to a box with two on-off switches so I can turn either the front or rears on. This box would then run to the work light wires in the back of the tractor. So yeah, my question is do I need to add a fuse and a relay to this connection or is that already provided in the circuit?

Any help is appreciated!

CCWKen · Oct 24, 2016

With those lights all on, they'll be drawing about 13 Amps. Be sure your feed circuit (fuse) can handle the additional load. And it's not wise to just put a larger fuse in an existing circuit. The fuse is there to protect the wiring. You may be better off running the light circuit, with it's own fuse, directly from the battery circuit. Use at least 18ga. wire but 16ga. would be better to keep the voltage drop lower. As long as your switch(s) can handle the current, you don't need relays.

If you do add your own wire/fuse, put the fuse in the feed line as close to the source as possible. (Don't run a hot line to switch(s) with the fuse in the same box.)

Dropsix · Oct 25, 2016

CCWKen said:
With those lights all on, they'll be drawing about 13 Amps. Be sure your feed circuit (fuse) can handle the additional load. And it's not wise to just put a larger fuse in an existing circuit. The fuse is there to protect the wiring. You may be better off running the light circuit, with it's own fuse, directly from the battery circuit. Use at least 18ga. wire but 16ga. would be better to keep the voltage drop lower. As long as your switch(s) can handle the current, you don't need relays.

If you do add your own wire/fuse, put the fuse in the feed line as close to the source as possible. (Don't run a hot line to switch(s) with the fuse in the same box.)

Ok cool thanks for that. I am thinking I may just wire the two square 18watt led's to the work light connection and then run the 126 watter from the battery with the inline fuse. Thoughts?

dchemphill1 · Oct 25, 2016

What kind of tractor? My L3901 has a wire bundle under the left side fender (as you sit in seat) that is ready for add on lights. I ordered a kit that has 2 forward facing and one rear that will attach right to the roll bar and a nice switch box. The wiring also had a nice plastic protector that blends right into the roll bar.

Check your owner manual...you might already have a wire bundle designated for this?

Dropsix · Oct 25, 2016

dchemphill1 said:
What kind of tractor? My L3901 has a wire bundle under the left side fender (as you sit in seat) that is ready for add on lights. I ordered a kit that has 2 forward facing and one rear that will attach right to the roll bar and a nice switch box. The wiring also had a nice plastic protector that blends right into the roll bar.View attachment 485928

Check your owner manual...you might already have a wire bundle designated for this?

Kubota BX as per thread topic hehe.

There are wires in the back but I read they top out at 10amps and I would be just slightly over that with the front light bar and the two back lights. So I am thinking of running the back lights off of the connection you're talking about and then running the front light bar direct from the battery with an inline fuse.

nikerret · Oct 25, 2016

Can you get more efficient lights? 126 watts is a ton, today. LED's will run on a smidgen of that.

s219 · Oct 25, 2016

126 watts seems awful high for LEDs, light bar or not. Either they are not efficient or you'll be out-shining the sun. I have two 20W LEDs on my tractor and when I use them at night my neighbors can see the sky lit up around me from 1/2 mile away. They are insanely bright. I run them both off the 10A work light circuit and there's plenty of margin to spare.

The thing to keep in mind with smaller tractors like the BX is that the alternator/dynamo output is limited. I would try to keep the amp draw of the lights as low as possible. That 126 watt light is really eating into your margin.

Dropsix · Oct 26, 2016

nikerret said:
Can you get more efficient lights? 126 watts is a ton, today. LED's will run on a smidgen of that.

s219 said:
126 watts seems awful high for LEDs, light bar or not. Either they are not efficient or you'll be out-shining the sun. I have two 20W LEDs on my tractor and when I use them at night my neighbors can see the sky lit up around me from 1/2 mile away. They are insanely bright. I run them both off the 10A work light circuit and there's plenty of margin to spare.

The thing to keep in mind with smaller tractors like the BX is that the alternator/dynamo output is limited. I would try to keep the amp draw of the lights as low as possible. That 126 watt light is really eating into your margin.

Is that right?? From what I had seen online most LED lightbars around 20" long (dual row leds) were about 110-130 watts.

Can you send over a link?

Dropsix · Oct 26, 2016

nikerret said:
Can you get more efficient lights? 126 watts is a ton, today. LED's will run on a smidgen of that.

s219 said:
126 watts seems awful high for LEDs, light bar or not. Either they are not efficient or you'll be out-shining the sun. I have two 20W LEDs on my tractor and when I use them at night my neighbors can see the sky lit up around me from 1/2 mile away. They are insanely bright. I run them both off the 10A work light circuit and there's plenty of margin to spare.

The thing to keep in mind with smaller tractors like the BX is that the alternator/dynamo output is limited. I would try to keep the amp draw of the lights as low as possible. That 126 watt light is really eating into your margin.

Found some. Half the wattage. Oh well

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