Wiring up a rear work light

   / Wiring up a rear work light #1  

ironhayden86

Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2018
Messages
34
Location
Moscow, PA
Tractor
JOHN DEERE MODEL M
Just wondering if this is the correct spot to wire in a rear work light. It works but the light is on any time the tractor key is on. Is there any other wires that are set up for the rear work light besides the two bullet connectors by the right turn signal. I have a 2018 3510hst.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #2  
Those work light circuits almost always assume a work light has its own switch. Most work light kits have the switch built into the light. If doing your own light, you'll need a switch inline with the wiring to the light.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #3  
Someone suggested..and I did it - tap into the right rear tail light for the hot wire, use the bullet black for ground.

Now when you turn on your marker lights using the dash switch your work lights come on.

I have 2 36w LED's wired this way - 4 or 5 hours on them so far and no issues.

I was considering unplugging the head lights and running my lights off the now-unplugged wires. Headlights are useless with a loader anyway. Just longer run for wire, but you still use the stock switch..less wiring and cost!
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #4  
Those work light circuits almost always assume a work light has its own switch. Most work light kits have the switch built into the light. If doing your own light, you'll need a switch inline with the wiring to the light.

That's how the rear work light on my DK45s is set up. There is a toggle switch (easy to reach from seat) on the light case. The switch has a rubber boot like this to keep water out.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #5  
Mine that way too - always hot with key on so needs separate switch. Also of note, mine on its own 5A fuse - which didn't support the 3 pod lights I tried to run from it. That or I have a short, but suspect am overloading the 5A.....
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #6  
Using the spare pigtail at the lower right of my seat, I installed a rear LED work light, along with a switch mounted nearby, so that it can be turned off rather than being constantly on with the ignition.

The light works, but the 20A headlight fuse blows when I operate the new switch.

For testing purposes, I just used wire nuts to twist up the 3 positive wires and the 3 negatives.

What did I do wrong ... maybe a grounding issue?
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #7  
   / Wiring up a rear work light #8  
Thanks ... seems like it shouldn't require running a loom all the way to the battery when there's pigtails already provided. That will be a last resort, I guess.

There's another unused plug that's taped to the loom under the right fender, has 3 wires going to it. Anyone else have this & know what it's for?

**EDIT** tested that other plug, it's hot with ignition on also. Sigh.
 
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   / Wiring up a rear work light #9  
I would hook a voltmeter or test light to the pigtail, turn the key switch on to power it, and then pull fuses until you find the circuit that feeds the pigtail. From the fuse label you should know the intended purpose of the circuit. At least that's what I did when I added a diverter valve.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #10  
Thanks ... seems like it shouldn't require running a loom all the way to the battery when there's pigtails already provided. That will be a last resort, I guess.

There's another unused plug that's taped to the loom under the right fender, has 3 wires going to it. Anyone else have this & know what it's for?

**EDIT** tested that other plug, it's hot with ignition on also. Sigh.

Require, no. I have run two lights so far and will likely run two more. Depending on what lights you're using, putting a relay for the switch to activate rather than the power going directly through the switch is just smart.

Get a good switch that can handle whatever load you're going to put on it now and possibly in the futire.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #11  
So on my 2018 Ck3510hse I have the bullet style plugs on the right but on the left I have different plug. This plug doesn't have power. Now looking under the cover on the left side of the steering wheel I found 2 more bullet plugs blue and black that arnt capped . I looked in the fuse box and there is a place for optional beacon light relay and a fuse also. I have more switch spaces on my dash. So I guess my question is I'm wondering if these wires are all part of the optional beacon and if they can be used for rear work light.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #12  
So today I did some testing the plug on the left next to the seat is for the optional beacon . There is a connector tyrap to the steering wheel that with the right switch and relay you can operate work lights from the dash.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #13  
Interesting. There is a blank switch position on my dash. I'll have to look.

Here is what I found so far on the back of my new to me 2016 5010HS just above the PTO. Three connectors - left to right: A three pin (white plastic), a 6 position with 5 wires, and two bullets.
- The three pin is ground, Constant Hot, and hot when ignition turned to ACC or on.
- The 6 position is clearly for a trailer. Gnd, left signal, right signal, park lights and a 12v hot...all available when ignition is on.
- The bullets are gnd and 12v hot when ignition-on.

My plan is to install a rear facing work light and connect it to the bullet set through a switch positioned in a blank beside the seat. This keeps the wiring short and easy. More to come when the switch arrives.

I will mention that in addition there are a set of bullet connectors on the left and right that are not active in any ignition position. Not sure what they are for. Anyone know?

Peter IMG_20181004_181320.jpegIMG_20181004_181326.jpeg
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #14  
On my NX4510 HST I wired in my rear LEDS to the right side tail light. I installed a switch on the right rear tail light panel that has two places for a switch.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #15  
JimR: Do you happen to have a link or name of the switch you bought that fits that spot? Would be a perfect spot
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #16  
JimR: Do you happen to have a link or name of the switch you bought that fits that spot? Would be a perfect spot

I took the plug out and went to either Auto Zone or Advance Auto parts and got a rocker switch. I made a new hole in the plastic plug with my Dremel tool to fit the new switch. It was very simple to do.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #17  
I just drilled the rail behind the seat for a round switch. Very easy and there are already a zillion "pilot holes" to choose among if you want. Just move the harnesses mounted under it out of the way first - which probably already are if you're getting at the OEM work light wire.

JimR's way very clean too. Sounds like either can be reached from the seat just fine.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #18  
I just drilled the rail behind the seat for a round switch. Very easy and there are already a zillion "pilot holes" to choose among if you want. Just move the harnesses mounted under it out of the way first - which probably already are if you're getting at the OEM work light wire.

JimR's way very clean too. Sounds like either can be reached from the seat just fine.

Yup, I can reach my switch easy. mounting on the rail would move it closer. i wanted it enclosed inside the rear light cover.
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #19  
I have a single work light mounted on the bracket that holds the turn signal. There is a simple toggle switch on the bracket also. Power from the pigtails found under the fender. Not the best picture to show the light - but it is there. More than enough light for any night time grading I might do.


View attachment 575356
 
   / Wiring up a rear work light #20  
I have a single work light mounted on the bracket that holds the turn signal. There is a simple toggle switch on the bracket also. Power from the pigtails found under the fender. Not the best picture to show the light - but it is there. More than enough light for any night time grading I might do.


View attachment 575356

I like that set up! Where did you get the lights?
 

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