Mark_in_NH
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2002
- Messages
- 1,554
- Location
- Moultonborough, New Hampshire
- Tractor
- New Holland TC35D w/ 16LA FEL
KC lights finally ordered!
- Thread starter yellowsocks93
- Start date
- Views: 1915
Mark_in_NH
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2002
- Messages
- 1,554
- Location
- Moultonborough, New Hampshire
- Tractor
- New Holland TC35D w/ 16LA FEL
OP
yellowsocks93
Veteran Member
Mark,
Since we also have a '92 JD 970 with 2 55 watt Hobbs brand lights off the rear of the machine installed at the dealer when we bought it new I figured I should be good to go by using the same setup with different lights. They are going to draw the same amps so I figured I should be OK. I am using the same 2 connectors in back that will tie me into my factory switch. I had thought about putting a seperate switch somewhere but never gave it much consideration.
One question for you since you seem to know a fair amount about lights: On all these work lights I see I notice 2 wires coming out of the back. Is one a positive and one a ground? I ask this because the KC manual says that I can ground right to the mounting bracket but on our other tractor both 2 wires go into the factory harness same with a 990 I looked at in the shop with the factory rear light.
Since we also have a '92 JD 970 with 2 55 watt Hobbs brand lights off the rear of the machine installed at the dealer when we bought it new I figured I should be good to go by using the same setup with different lights. They are going to draw the same amps so I figured I should be OK. I am using the same 2 connectors in back that will tie me into my factory switch. I had thought about putting a seperate switch somewhere but never gave it much consideration.
One question for you since you seem to know a fair amount about lights: On all these work lights I see I notice 2 wires coming out of the back. Is one a positive and one a ground? I ask this because the KC manual says that I can ground right to the mounting bracket but on our other tractor both 2 wires go into the factory harness same with a 990 I looked at in the shop with the factory rear light.
OP
yellowsocks93
Veteran Member
Yep, the 990 comes from Georgia and that is where the semi mine was on came from. I would like to see your 990. I've got a couple pics of mine but I have to scan them and add them to the internet. I'll wait until I get the lights on.
BGL990
Gold Member
Worry Not! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I'm an electronics engineering technologist by trade, so I'm pretty comfortable "pushing the envelope" without damaging anything.
I've never seen a factory wiring harness on any vehicle that had wires I consider heavy enough, so anything I add will be via some dedicated, fused wiring direct from the battery and using relays to handle the main current. Any switches (existing or ones I add) will just switch the relay coils.
Even if the lighting load is a bit more than the alternator can theoretically sustain indefinitely, and assuming the battery is in good condition, the worst that should happen is discharging the battery a bit. I'm going to replace the OEM battery with a yellow top Optima (deep cycle) as soon as I get the tractor, so I'm not too worried. A couple hours on the charger after a good session of night time work and everyone should be happy again. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If all else fails, I can buy a higher output alternator which Deere offers as an option for the 990.
Brad.
I'm an electronics engineering technologist by trade, so I'm pretty comfortable "pushing the envelope" without damaging anything.
I've never seen a factory wiring harness on any vehicle that had wires I consider heavy enough, so anything I add will be via some dedicated, fused wiring direct from the battery and using relays to handle the main current. Any switches (existing or ones I add) will just switch the relay coils.
Even if the lighting load is a bit more than the alternator can theoretically sustain indefinitely, and assuming the battery is in good condition, the worst that should happen is discharging the battery a bit. I'm going to replace the OEM battery with a yellow top Optima (deep cycle) as soon as I get the tractor, so I'm not too worried. A couple hours on the charger after a good session of night time work and everyone should be happy again. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If all else fails, I can buy a higher output alternator which Deere offers as an option for the 990.
Brad.
BGL990
Gold Member
Hmmm ... something funny happened - the above post was in reply to Mark's concerns about drawing too much power because that was the last one I saw. Went back to the forum and then saw the rest of them.
Mark: Nice job on your lights! I'm not going to have a canopy (at least not right away), so I'll most likely end up mounting directly to the ROPS.
Nick: I look forward to your pics. I'll be posting lots of my own when I get my machine. (Tick Tick Tick .... why do clocks slow down when you are waiting for something? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)
Brad
Mark: Nice job on your lights! I'm not going to have a canopy (at least not right away), so I'll most likely end up mounting directly to the ROPS.
Nick: I look forward to your pics. I'll be posting lots of my own when I get my machine. (Tick Tick Tick .... why do clocks slow down when you are waiting for something? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)
Brad
OP
yellowsocks93
Veteran Member
That alternator is like 400 bucks! I looked into it so I could buy 2 round KC lights at 100 W each.
BGL990
Gold Member
OUCH!! $400 US is, like, $50,000 Canadian! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I wonder if an auto alternator could be fitted? Cheap from a wrecker, or even a "new" rebuilt.
Guess for now I'll stick with keeping the load under control.
Brad.
I wonder if an auto alternator could be fitted? Cheap from a wrecker, or even a "new" rebuilt.
Guess for now I'll stick with keeping the load under control.
Brad.
OP
yellowsocks93
Veteran Member
I have no idea. Maybe talk to your local autoparts store about doing that. I thought the kit would be cheaper but when I looked it up on JD parts it was way too expensive for me to buy so I just looked at smaller lights.
TCowner
Platinum Member
Mark, Where did you get your "4 gang switchbox"? I need the same unit.
Terry,
Terry,