Canopy Mirror & lights on Canopy?

[MossflowerWoods]

Folks,

So I went looking for a wide angle rear view mirror. Mostly because I have small kids and I'm a noob, and the threads with accident descriptions scare the @#$%^& out of me.

I am also thinking about a couple lights (I've heard the Kioti headligts are almost useless with FEL and brush guard).

So all I could find at Pep Boys was one that clipped to the existing car rearview mirror.

I remember when I was in HS those 4' long wide angle rearview mirrors were all the rage... Seems things have changed in the last 30 years...

Any pointers?

I am also thinking about lights on the canopy, but that means running wires, and finding something to hooke the wires into (I'd like to avoid drilling holes etc in the tractor, fine with holes in the canopy).

I cannot be the first guy with these ideas and I'd happily plagiarize with pride your GREAT ideas. It is MUCH easier than trying to re-invent the wheel...

Thanks in advance,
Be well,
David

 

[mwb]

Personally I wouldn't hesitate to drill holes if it meant having useful light. You have a couple of options for light wiring; install an separate circuit with fuse and switch, or use the existing headlight circuit with the OEM bulbs unplugged so you don't overload the circuit.

There are lots of ideas here for how to do it; I tapped into the existing fuse box (unused circuit) and ran a wire up the rops to a switch. Someone here stated that you can get headlight switches that have a fuse built in which would be nice. A lot depends on how much power you need (single 55w front and rear or doubles).

I have two lamps on my tractor, a spot light forward and a flood lamp facing to the rear. These lamps cost about $20 or less on sale at your local Princess Auto ro HF store.

For a mirror, I can't see one being very useful for keeping an eye on kids - you will probably have too many blind spots. A mirror would be great while traveling on the road though; I hate it when a car tears past me unexpectedly. If the mirror was only for that purpose then any small one out of a car or truck would work (or use two, one on each side).

 

[MossflowerWoods]

For a mirror, I can't see one being very useful for keeping an eye on kids - you will probably have too many blind spots. QUOTE]

I want one that compensates for the blind spots like this...

Wide Angle 5-Panel Rear View Mirror, 35 Inch Wide - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

This may be the answer (I need to determine how big I can get).

I like the idea for the lights with a fused switch. I will look into that.

David

 

[Travelover]

On my canopy I installed two fish eye mirrors about 5" in diameter - one on each side. These work pretty well to see behind me and beside me.

 

[brucewj]

For a mirror, I can't see one being very useful for keeping an eye on kids - you will probably have too many blind spots. QUOTE]

I want one that compensates for the blind spots like this...

Wide Angle 5-Panel Rear View Mirror, 35 Inch Wide - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

This may be the answer (I need to determine how big I can get).

I like the idea for the lights with a fused switch. I will look into that.

David

I have one like that mounted on my golf cart. It works great. You can see a broad range behind you.

 

[wny770]

I went to NAPA, and they ordered me in 2 nice convex mirrors. I mounted them under the front corners of my canopy. Also, from my NH dealer, I went and purchased two work lights. VERY bright, and built well. You can choose the beam pattern. They are made by speaker. I'm sure other brands use these.

 

[JB4310]

I've got a mirror and one real nice front facing light, I put on my canopy.

JB

 

[Short Game]

Too bad you can't stop by here to do your lights. We'd get you set up, mo skoshi.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Too bad you can't stop by here to do your lights. We'd get you set up, mo skoshi.

Well ain't you just a darling! I would LOVE to visit your place and learn how to grow shrooms!

I want to start the wife on shroom farming soon!.

David

 

[techwrtr2]

More lights are very nice to have both from usability and safety. When I mounted lights to my 855, I set them up to come on with the regular headlights. Being a believer in more lights is better, I did not disconnect the factory lights. They are useful when I have the loader off like when mowing after dark. I do not have them powered off the same circuit as the headlights out of concern for overloading.

Instead, I use the headlight circuit to trigger a 40A relay which then turns on my extra lights. They are powered right off the battery but won't come on unless headlights are also on. I haven't seen a need to have them on separately or not in use at all.

Mine are mounted to the roll bar as I have no canopy at this point - debating about putting one one.