Question about the wiring for work lights on the Kubota BX

[Dropsix]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[s219]

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]

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

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]

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

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

2" Off Road LED Light Bar - 6W | LED Light Bars For Trucks | Super Bright LEDs

 

[Garandman]

Just switched to an 8", 36W light bar with magnets so I can reverse it if necessary. This is the 18W.

 

[Dropsix]

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.

Do you happen to know if a total of 142 watts will be too much for the BX alternator? I can't find info on the alternator output.

 

[s219]

Check the specs on the Kubota website for Canada -- they should list the dynamo output. In years past, there have been differences in how the US and Canadian models are rated. Some models have an optional upgrade. Offhand, I'd say don't exceed 50% of the stock Dynamo output otherwise you're eating too much charge that should be going to the battery. I still think 142 watts is ridiculously high, knowing how much light my dual 20w LEDs put out.

 

[Dropsix]

Check the specs on the Kubota website for Canada -- they should list the dynamo output. In years past, there have been differences in how the US and Canadian models are rated. Some models have an optional upgrade. Offhand, I'd say don't exceed 50% of the stock Dynamo output otherwise you're eating too much charge that should be going to the battery. I still think 142 watts is ridiculously high, knowing how much light my dual 20w LEDs put out.

Thanks for the help dude, much appreciated.

From the Kubota.ca site I get:

Electrical
Alternator Standard
Charging system capacity 40.0 Amps
Battery voltage x capacity 12 Volts x 535 CCA, RC: 80 min.


If my calculations are correct, then 144 watts is approx 12 amps, so technically, as long as nothing else is plugged in I should be fine ya? This wouldn't be a big deal but I already bought the lights obviously and I'd like to use them if possible.

 

[s219]

Yeah, that should be fine. You're in good shape -- some small tractors only come with a 20A dynamo!

 

[Dropsix]

Yeah, that should be fine. You're in good shape -- some small tractors only come with a 20A dynamo!

Oh ya, that would suck! Thanks again!

 

[Dropsix]

Mission accomplished. Ran the front light bar direct from the battery to a 30 amp fuse and then to a switch. Ran the two small back LED's off the back work light connection and to the switch.

Pretty happy with the results, wish I made my wiring a little cleaner around the switch box but I can still fix that.





I also cut the extra length of the U bolts off.

 

[Tollster]

Where did you mount your switch?

 

[jlewsader]

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?

What/where is your light kit from? Sounds easy!

 

[dchemphill1]

jlewsader,

I got them from john@ropslights.com. A bit pricy compared to going to TSC and buying lights and wiring etc...but it was a no fuss install. Tell John what tractor you have and choose your options of one, two or three lights...he sends you everything you need. Loved the fact that the harness was already to fit my L3901...just hooked the lights to ROPS and zip tied wires down (which come in protection sleeve) and then plugged them in...working in about 30 minutes. It took me a little longer because I was playing around with the best placement...otherwise it could have been 15-20 minutes. Check them out at ROPS Lights | Tractor LED Worklight Kits

 

[dchemphill1]

jlewsader,

Here is a picture of the two LED's on top...one mounted facing rear work area. Switch is over my left shoulder as I drive tractor. Switch has 2 on/off for forward facing and rear facing lights.