Lights on NH TC24D

jwstewar · Sep 27, 2004

( And I think you might need to work out some sort of horn "code" to let the little wifey know when you need her to run out with a fresh cold beer!
)

You're funny /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif A few weeks ago I was working on the car all greasy and dirty from working on it in my yet floorless garage. She was just sitting there on a charge at her yard lack-of-sale. I ASKED her to go make me a sandwich so I could keep working on the car and try to get it back on the road. She said no, I thought she was kidding and would do it anyway. I went back to work and forgot about it until a little while later I couldn't figure out why I was so hungry? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I realized, she wasn't kidding. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

At least I got the car back on the road. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Good luck with the lights. I'm much happier with mine now. Funny you mentioned where I mounted my switches. I also looked at yours when you posted your pictures and wished I had ordered the switches that you had used. I really liked those, but I ended up taking the lazy, quick way out and used switches found locally.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 27, 2004

I also looked at yours when you posted your pictures and wished I had ordered the switches that you had used. I really liked those, but I ended up taking the lazy, quick way out and used switches found locally.


Funny, I couldn't find any switches I liked locally and got tired of looking so I took the lazy way out and ordered mine over the internet because it was easier for me to do it that way.

As it all turned out, I'm glad I put mine where I did, originally I had 2 switches in place, one for the front lights and one for the rear ROPS lights. My Aux Light is tapped into the NH Aux wire and has a switch built into it so it didn't need to have a fender mount switch. But then I added a 12-volt outlet on the back of the tractor and I added a 3rd switch in the middle to power the 12 volt outlet. I figured I could leave it hot all the time, but then figured it would be better to be able to control it with a switch, something I am very happy I did.

Jim, or anyone else who might know, one thing that I see used all the time to hold wiring onto the ROPS are "zip ties." I used them with my install too. But does anyone know if they are "UV Stabilized" or will they degrade and become brittle from being exposed to the sun?

Personally I hate the things but they are so darn handy! But if you cut them down they are like little sharp points that can tear your skin, and if you leave them they look sloppy, and nobody has been able to tell me how long they will last when exposed to the sun.

I've often thougth of using a rubber "cord runner" for concealing the wires. It would give a smooth hidden conceal to the wiring. I went so far as to buy it, but I never got around to cutting it to fit, etc.

Inspector507 · Sep 27, 2004

Bob,
Several companies make UV stabilized wire ties. Two companies come to mind Panduit and 3-M. They are usually black. That does not mean the black ones you can get at Harbor Freight are suitable for outdoor use though.

Inspector507 · Sep 27, 2004

Jim........nice job on the lights /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jwstewar · Sep 27, 2004

Thank you very much. Sure is nice being able to see what you are doing. Now by the time I get home dark isn't far away. Pretty soon it'll be dark even before I leave work. Oh well, one of the disadvantages of working 4/10s - but I get to make up for it with 3 days off. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

jwstewar · Sep 27, 2004

I have no clue if they are UV stable or not, but worst case scenario in 2 or 3 years I put new ones on in about 5 minutes. I ended up cutting a few off in the process of redoing the wiring, they looked just as good as the day I put them on. So from that standpoint I think they could last several years. Since my garage didn't have walls (just a partial roof) until a few months ago my tractor had sat in the sun since about last October.

Inspector507 · Sep 27, 2004

but I get to make up for it with 3 days off 

Not gonna go there......too much. We tried it when I was one of the "rank and file". Management kept calling everyone in on their day off to do a few calls and loaf the rest of the day. Made it look like it cost more because of the overtime they had to pay out. Lasted a year at best before they ditched the program. I would love to see it again, except for one thing....NOW I'm IN management and the managers still had to work 5-8's back then.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 29, 2004

Jim, you just cost me another $40 and now the lovely Mrs_Bob is mad at you. Yup, I blamed you. I've often found that passing the blame to an unknown 3rd person deflects some of the crap that I get. So what did you do? Well you inspired me to go out and buy a couple of new 55 watt lights for my ROPS. They will replace the 35 watt units that face the front. Of course, I really did NOT NEED them right now since grass cutting season is rapidly drawing to a close, but your re-install sort of inspired me to get off my lazy rear end and fix what I did.

So when I came home with a bag in my hand and it was more than the gallon of milk that I was sent to buy the questions started flying . . . and I said " but Jim just rewired and repositioned his ROPS lights on his tractor and . . .

jwstewar · Sep 29, 2004

ROFLOL!!!!

Good luck with your upgrade. At least it wasn't a whole tractor that you had to upgrade. That would have cost a little more than $40. You mentioned grass growing is slowing down, but now you have to start worrying about snow removal. That was my inspiration/justification.

Maybe you could put the yellow ones on the front of her new Echo you bought her? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif That way she gets something out of the deal. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Bob_Skurka · Sep 29, 2004

You mentioned grass growing is slowing down, but now you have to start worrying about snow removal. That was my inspiration/justification. 

I actually have plenty of light to the rear. I have a 55watt Aux Light plus 2 35watt fog lamps. The combination is plenty of light for snowblowing the drive and roadway. In fact if the snow is really heavy or wet, I tend to use the 2 35watt fog lights mounted up high on the ROPS. But when the snow is light and blowing hard I often just use the low mounted AUX light. The lower light is not as good becuase the blower chute casts a large shadow, but under some conditions it works out better.