Series or Parallel

[Bob_Skurka]

Dave

I have 3 lights mounted on the rear. One is a factory auxilary light mounted at the base of my ROPS the other two were attached to the ROPS bar where I built a light bar and used marine epoxy to adhere it to the bar. I found that having multiple lights eliminates shadows in the work area of the implement.

I used 35 watt yellow fog lamps for the 2 mounted on the ROPS. My logic is that yellow will attract fewer bugs. Fog lamps were chosen because they throw a W-I-D-E beam of light and illuminate the work area. I chose 35 watts because I did not want to overtax the alternator/drain down the battery. I also was concerned that 55 watt lights would be so bright they could light the whole field and attract alien space craft to my work site?

I am not sure the difference between "splashproof" and "waterproof" switches. I used marine grade submersible waterproof switches because I didn't want to worry about rain or snow induced corrosion (my tractor is kept inside) if I'm caught outside in the rain or from melting snow. Regardless, I think you will be happier in the long run you chose splashproof over switches that are not designed for exterior exposure.

 

[wvhillbilly]

PARALLEL. If you wire them in series and ond burns out, they both go out. May leave you in the dark if you are out in the field working at night. If wired in parallel, Only the light that is blown will be out. Hot side of battery to the fuse. from the fuse to the switch, and from the switch to both lights. Then the other side of both lights to ground.
I would highly recommend putting a fuse right at the battery. That way if the insulatin gets rubbed off, the wire will not "weld" itself or spark. I install radios in vehicles for a living and we make it commonplace to put a fuse at the battery.

 

[wvhillbilly]

That is VHF and UHF radios in police vehicles, not AM/FM radios

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> PARALLEL. If you wire them in series and ond burns out, they both go out. </font>

There is really no choice because if you wire them in series they will not produce enough light to be useful...

If you want light out of the lights, you must hook them in parallel... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[L3710GV]

One interesting note about using waterproof switches--
they will leak current when they get wet pulling battery down-makeing you think battery is going bad-small steady drain

Had this happen on boat and my sons sandrail--the starter toggle switch on sandrail got wet sending it almost on top of the hood of my truck /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Nappa auto parts stores have a rubber boot that goes over toggle switch handels makeing them waterproof-screws on

A good source for inexpensive "Bosh type relays" is car audio places they handel 30 amps and you can get mateing sockets

 

[DaveNay]

Thanks for the additional replies guys!

I actually finished the project a few weeks ago, there are pictures at this link

The lights worked great this week while plowing snow in the middle of the night...I would have been completely helpless without them.

Dave