Light Bar for My Kioti CK27

[miramadar]

It took me a while to get this done, but I finally did it. I bought 2 trapezoidal lights and 1 flood light from Advance Auto Parts (about $60). The trapezoidals are for the front-facing lights and the flood is for the rear. I bought about 30 feet of 18 gauge wire ($5) and a couple of switches ($10), along with some bullet connectors and butt terminals ($5).

I got a piece of right-angled aluminum from TSC and cut to the length I needed. The aluminum was already perforated with 5/16" holes. Unfortunately, the bolts used to mount the lights were 3/8", so I had to ream the holes out a bit. The bolts stuck out above the top of the aluminum bar by about a quarter inch, so I had to use some spacers between the bar and the ROPS. I made this out of 1/4" flat bar stock. I used JB Weld to laminate 2 pieces together for a 1/2" spacer. I also used the bar stock to make brackets for my U bolts that hold the light bar in place. All the wires are run though lume/conduit to protect them.

I got lucky on the placement of the switches as there were already holes available. There was a 3/8" hole behind the driver's seat to the right that I mounted the rear light switch. The switch for the front lights are mounted beneath the ignition switch. There was a factory hole already there with a plastic plug in it. I just popped out the plug and voila! I did have to ream the hole a bit as it was just a bit too small. I ran the wires from the lights to the front switch beneath the operator's station and came up next to the clutch, where I went behind the instrument panel/steering column over to the switch. I then ran the wire down by the brake pedal and back to the main power line. I'm using the connectors for the 15-amp "Customer Use" fuse. When on, the lights pull just over 14 amps, so this should work out great.

I'm glad I got these on as I can finally see to drive at night!

 

[Water Boy]

Let there be light!!!


WB

 

[Natureboy]

Nice set up:thumbsup:

 

[VTFireftr]

I finally got a chance to mount some lights on my CK 30 last weekend. I will try and take some pictures and post them this weekend.

I had some Carling marine switches in the "store room". I mounted them in the right side tailight housing. I took power from the wires under the SMV sign on the tractor. I did increase the fuse size from 7.5 amps to 15 amps to handle the additional load (4 55 watt lights). I have 2 facing to the front on 1 switch and 2 facing rear on another switch.

Th hardest part of the whole install was getting the split loom wrap around all the wires.

marc

 

[miramadar]

I had some Carling marine switches in the "store room". I mounted them in the right side tailight housing. I took power from the wires under the SMV sign on the tractor. I did increase the fuse size from 7.5 amps to 15 amps to handle the additional load (4 55 watt lights). I have 2 facing to the front on 1 switch and 2 facing rear on another switch.

Not wishing you any bad luck...but if my math is correct, those four 55-watt lights, on the 12V circuit, will pull a bit over 18 amps. [(4x55)/12]. You might be okay though.

I just used cheapo switches from Advance Auto. I'll replace them with better once they break I guess.

The hardest part for me was to actually find that Customer Use fuse wires. But they're under there. You might want to consider keeping 2 lights on the current circuit and putting the other 2 on the Customer Use circuit.

 

[VTFireftr]

I only plan to use the front or rear lights seperately, not together. Worst case scenario, I replace the fuse if I run them together. I am not worried about "burning up" the wiring, since the amp draw is way lower than the input to the fuse panel.

Marc

 

[VTFireftr]

I took some pictures today. i will attempt to attach them to this post.

Marc

 

[miramadar]

I took some pictures today. i will attempt to attach them to this post.

Good looking rig! :thumbsup:

 

[Coyote machine]

Hey guys, nice lights setup.:thumbsup: Now how about showing us the lights when they're on?!
VTFireftr- what part of southern VT are you in, Bennington or Rutland Co.?

Thx,

CM

 

[Gittyup]

Here is my light setup. Sorry, not "in-use" photos. But, it really lights things up. Could do just about anything at anytime with these lights.

Used the customer use fuse too. But only one switch. Don't have a photo of the switch, but I used a marine grade waterproof switch, paddle style toggle similar to those mounted on the rear light housing shown in previous post. But, cut out a rectangle in the plastic cover over the 3PH lever, at the back where it's flat. This has been a great location, as it's hard to hit accidentally(at least with my operating habits).

I'd be careful drawing more than recommended by the manufacturer from any one circuit. You don't really know if the built-in wiring/contacts will handle the additional load. You could burn up a very expensive harness (and possibly the tractor too). It isn't worth it, especially since there are plenty of places to get power from on these tractors.