Toolbox and Lights for my JD4100

EdDekker · Dec 19, 2001

Here is a zipped PDF file with a diagram of two possible hookups for a set of lights. In case you do not have the Acrobat viewer I have also included the drawing badly converted to JPEG and the VISEO drawing file. (Sigh, Visio JPEG and GIF output of this little drawing is totally messed up. The Acrobat viewer JPEG output is better but still messed up. As a last resort I also included the Visio file.)

The first uses one switch one switch and one relay for each set of lights. This allows you to use a low current switch and run a smaller diameter wire to the switch.

The second diagram shows the existing headlight switch being used to switch an additional set of lights.

I have not installed my forward and rear auxillary lights yet. I plan to use two high current switches. The advantages of the relay are to reuse the existing headlight switch without risking burning out the switch, and to allow use of much smaller wire for the run to the switch.

Ed

TerryinMD · Dec 19, 2001

Ed,

Thank you for the extra effort in explaining how to use the relay and switches. I'll probably ask a couple of more questions after I study the diagram. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

Anonymous Poster · Dec 20, 2001

i hung two round tractor utility lights from the rops with long carriage bolts. [holes were already there]
one faces forward, one to the rear.
they can both swing up and down [even past straight down!]
this allows me to have one pointed down at the 3ph, and one looking back at the blade or rough mower.

i installed a push/pull switch next to the ignition - i spliced off the hot battery terminal [sometimes i need light without the motor running - like when i am trying to attach that pto in the dark!]

lights were bought at the hardware/farm store.
i am very happy with the ability to swing the lights wherever i need them.

TWINKLE_TOES · Dec 20, 2001

Ed,

Good job/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif One thing that might be added is the resitive load we have for tractor lights is an incandescent filament in the bulb. The resistance of the bulb is very low when the filament is cold. The current draw of a lamp load is 7 to 10 times the steady state current of the bulb. A 55 Watt bulb in operation draws about 4 1/2 amps. The current the switch or relay needs to handle when the light is turned on can be 30 to 50 amps. The peak current is short in duration ~ 10-20mSec for lamps used on a tractor. Typically the current never achieves the higher level due to the resistance of the wiring to the light. Lamp loads are one of the toughest loads a switch or relay will see. Relay manufactures like Leach will derate the contacts a factor of 5 for lamp loads VS a pure resistive load. Bottom line, don't use your tractor ignition switch to directly contol your added lamp loads. I wired my tractor with a separate switch. Which I use to turn the lights on/off after the ignition switch is on. If I forget to turn the switch off , the next time I turn the tractor on the tractor switch gets hammered./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif The relay approach is a better way for this reason.
Al

MikePA · Dec 21, 2001

This thread is why I bought two automotive lighting kits (KC HiLites kits) for use on my tractor. While they were more expensive than buying lights at TSC, the kits contain all the wiring, switches and relays needed to install the lights. We live about 15 miles from the closest TSC and there's nothing (well, almost nothing) more frustrating than getting half way through a job and discovering you need to run out and get a part, switch, relay, etc. With a kit, everything you need is right in the box. Don't get me wrong, I've learned a lot about wiring from this thread, and maybe contributed a thing or two, but I will usually trade a little money for a lot less frustration.

TWINKLE_TOES · Dec 21, 2001

Mike,
<font color=blue>I will usually trade a little money for a lot less frustration.</font color=blue>

I sure agree with that./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif As I get older seems like the trade of time for dollars becomes less and less favorable. Buying the complete set up for your lights is a good idea even if you understand all about this electrical stuff. Hooking up work lights using a separate switch or relay will save folks a lot of grief later, even if they are not exactly sure why. You don't have to understand the molecular structure of soap to know it will get ya clean. Learning when to use it is a little tougher/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Al

MikePA · Dec 21, 2001

Hey, Terry, how ya coming with those lights? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

TerryinMD · Dec 21, 2001

Mike,

Well, I went out on an expedition today to do some Christmas shopping and look into some of the suggestions made by all of you.

A funny thing happened, my wife went along for the ride. Nevertheless, didn't get to do all of the things I wanted. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

We're heading up to Somerset and Pittsburgh for the weekend and then back home on Sunday. Of course, got to finish the shopping that I wanted to do Friday, so there goes Monday!! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif Sigh..... Tuesday brings Christmas and well no tractor stuff - a time for family and friends.

So it looks like the weekend before the New Year before I get into the job.

Sorry to prattle on... but I think you understand.

Terry