After Market Lighting

[94BULLITT]

I have 2 lights that give me light the side and a rear work light. I used LEDs and tapped in to the rear work light harness. If you click the link in my signautre, "BX2360 upgrades" you will see it.

Well, in my limited experience with lighting, 'watts are watts'is not necessarily the case for lumen output. LED's are more effecient than conventional bulbs and less of the power is wasted as heat. But a persons opinion is just that as well. All what you like.

You are correct, there is more than watts. Lux and Lumens are something to conisder.

 

[BXpanded]

I emailed BXpanded a while back with that same question. Their response was that it wasn't cost effective to create a LED package (easy on/off) so they scrapped the idea.

Not quite the answer...
The big advantage to the LEDs is lower power consumption. The big disadvantage of the LEDs is cost.

Fortunately, most tractors have plenty of electrical capacity to handle at least a couple of 55 watt Halogens. Many, like the BX2660, could power half a dozen. Since the electrical capacity is there, and it's free, it makes it more difficult to justify the higher cost of the LEDs.

The technology is advancing rapidly and with the competition, prices are coming down. We've been looking for a good, reliable, light that can withstand some abuse like a collision with a tree branch, at a reasonable cost. There are so many brands available, and the specs from some of the companies are so unreliable, it's been really hard to sort through them all. We plan to offer the LED as an option in the near future.
Thanks!
Harry

 

[swatter]

I have noticed that the bx25d has a hole predrilled into the right turn signal bracket. Now The left turn signal bracket does not have one. I wonder if a light here would broadcast enough to see or be in the way.

 

[check]

You can find a complete kit all pre-wired and ready to go right on your BX (and most other tractors) here Quick-On Work Light Kit
You might even find a few other things you need. BXpanded

Hey, I'm sold. And anyway, Harry's stuff is always so easy to instal. One light kit coming up! (To me, in Canada.)

 

[PeterK]

I have 2 lights that give me light the side and a rear work light. I used LEDs and tapped in to the rear work light harness. If you click the link in my signautre, "BX2360 upgrades" you will see it.



You are correct, there is more than watts. Lux and Lumens are something to conisder.

Gee I must have misspoken or used the incorrect terms. All said, IMO/to-my-eyes the 55 watt floods provide at least double the light output than the 27 watt LED (9x3watt LED arrangement) I was replacing them with. I couldn't see ***** with the LEDs unless it was close to the tractor. I swear by LED CREE designed flashlights, mostly because of the advanced reflector they use to increase distance, and they are fabulous compared to the multi-LED designed torches. But these 27 watt LED utility lights on the BX were not-as-good and totally miss the mark for my purposes.

A good test is to first light up with a LED flood, leave it on, then turn on a 55 watt flood. In my test, the LED was totally washed out by the 55 watt flood, like it wasn't even turned on. ymmv but the 27 watt'ers are up on the shelf.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

I know this isn't a BX model, but I thought you might want to see the 55 watt Halogen lights I put on my L3200 rops. I ran them on a separate circuit from the battery with in-line fuse, and have had no problems with them. There are two to the rear and two to the front. They produce plenty of light, but as mentioned by several TBN members here, if you want less power consumption go led, but for me the cost was way too high to justify that....maybe later! Just thought this might give you an Idea of what you could do on a BX rops like I did on my L3200.

 

[DEK]

PAPPASMURF
Nice job mounting your lights. Can you have all 4 halogen lights on at the same time without overloading the alternator? How many amps will all 4 draw? How much amperage is left for other electrical? I'm guessing 4 LED lights @ 27W each will draw fewer amps than 2 55W halogens, 108W total vs 110W. Are the lumens of the 4 LED lights the same as 2 halogens. To me the amperage and lumens are important factors. Thanks.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

Thanks DEK.....to be honest I haven't done the math on the amps. Had a friend (electrician) advise me on how to wire the 4 Halogens. All 4 can run at the same time with no problem, however the front pair are on their own circuit, and the rear pair are on their own circuit. I have a front switch and a rear switch, both can be used at the same time. I placed an in-line fuse between the battery and the switch on both with a weather proof fuse cover. Maybe someone on here can educate me on the math for all 4 running at the same time. All I know is they work perfectly and no problems. Been running them for about 1 year now.:smurf:

 

[PAPPASMURF]

Here are pictures of what I did. The lens covers I custom made (painted Kubota orange, then had small Kubota vinyl letters made), and the switches fit perfectly in the holes already drilled by the factory for an optional right handle. Also, the bar holding the lights is NOT drilled into the ROPS (this would void the warranty)....instead, I fastened them with u-bolts to the rops, then capped the excess bolt threats with plastic caps to avoid bumping your head and cutting yourself. I also included a picture of the in line fusable links located onder the dash cluster for extra protection.:smurf:

 

[DEK]

PAPPASMURF
You've done a fine job with those lights. Everything you did looks nicely done - from the painted and curved mounting bracket, to the secured and shielded wiring, and to the fuses and switches. Well done! If necessary, are you able to fold the ROPS without removing the lights? Switches look like they have a security cover to prevent accidentally turning them on. Good idea. Are they weatherproof switches? I have purchased and mounted a grab handle on my right fender using the predrilled holes. I will have to come up with a different place for the switches. I'm not real keen on drilling holes on the tractor unless absolutely necessary. The light covers you fabricated are a nice touch. Anyhow, good installation and thanks for the info and pictures.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

DEK,
Thanks again for compliments! The ROPS will fold down. I left enough slack in the wiring to allow that. The switches are waterproof, but I still added a little "liquid electrical sealant" to the bottom where the wires are connected. I know what you mean about drilling too...I cringed at the thought, but then found those holes for the handle option and they were the exact size! My alternate Idea was to fabricate a metal mount, paint it and then attach it to the tractor somehow, but didn't do much thinking on that after I found the factory holes. Thanks again and let me know how yours turns out and how you did it. If you need more pics or idea's off of mine just let me know.

Good luck!:smurf:

 

[paulemar]

You can find a complete kit all pre-wired and ready to go right on your BX (and most other tractors) here Quick-On Work Light Kit
You might even find a few other things you need. BXpanded

I installed the BXpanded 4 3/4"-2 light kit late last year. I mounted them on the ROPS under the top of my BX25 to give them a bit more protection from stray branches, etc. You still have to be careful though as the lights are held on by springs-----which is good as that gives them some flexibility if you do hit something. (don't ask how I know) They really, really, do light up the night. I will use the lights mostly during the winter with the front snowplow, but they provide more than enough light to do other tractor work at night.

The install was very easy once I found and removed the tape from the extra power wires on the tractor. In hindsight, I should have purchased the 3 light kit because there is a definite need to see when backing up on those cold dark nights. All parts seem to be of good quality and everything needed for the install is included.

 

[94BULLITT]

I also like the lights under the ROPS for protection. I think the tractor with them on top looks like Mickey Mouse.

Sent from my Samsung SPH-L710 using TractorByNet

 

[swatter]

Well since it is that time of the year when it's dark after I get home I went out and installed some lights. I did wire the lights to the battery with a inline fuse.

Here is where I put the switch.
This is where I mounted the lights.