Need help and advice adding rear work light...

[PapaPerk]

Howdy,

I need to add a rear work light to the back of my Kubota 3830. I want the job to be high quality and bullet proof. I have no issues with the mechanical portion of the project. However the electrical has me a little worried. Can I just tap into the tail light circuit or do I need to run a new wire from the battery? I would like the rear light to come on with the headlights. However I would also like a switch so I can turn the rear light off if I wish. While I am at it does anyone have a good recommendation on the light? I do not want cheap junk. Only high quailty! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Thanks for the help. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[henryjacobjosh]

Hi,

If it was me, I would rather a new lighting circuit back to the light, but since you would like it to be off of your existing switch I would just try the tail light idea. Depending on the size of the rear light you install it might not be a problem. Check your owners manual for a diagram or even a list of items off the tail light circuit and maybee you can tell from there. If you would decide to run a new wire take the time to run 1 or 2 spares (just in case).
As far as the light goes. My light was installed by the dealer and has it's own switch to operate the light. I'am sure you could find a quality light at your local dealer or TSC.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I tend to agree with Hank that you'd want a separate circuit not tied to your headlights, but that is just my opinion. You might want to take a look at my photo gallery in the PHOTO section of TBN you can see what I did with my lights, I added 1 rear light at the base of the ROPS and 4 on the top of the ROPS bar (actually under the ROPS). I'm not saying I did it right, but I did it the way I wanted it. You should also do a search on the forums for AUX lights and/or ROPS lights, you will get some ideas as lots of us have added lights.

 

[jim_wilson]

If you want some high quality work lights check out the Hella work lights - I bought some for my BX23 and they are very nice quality. I got mine from AWDirect - they are online at
http://www.awdirect.com/ or you can request a printed catalog.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I used a fuse tap and tapped into my switched headlamp fuse, then ran a new wire to the back. I have the rocker switch by the light itself, but you could mount the switch about anywhere. Just make sure the circuit is fused at the closest point to the fuse box and on a switched circuit.

If you have little kids who like to sit on tractors and flick switches, you will aprreciate a switched circuit the next time you go to start it and the battery is still up. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Use your existing lighting circuit to trigger an automotive style aux lamp relay.. run your new circuit from there to the back thru suitable wire loom, and then add yet another switch like you desired, right at the lamp housing.

Choos a lamp that will give you what you want. Round lamps can be 'spot' or soft. Trap lamps generally give you width.. like a rectangle. Might get one one a ball pivot.. or at least a 2 plane pivot.

Soundguy

 

[Casco1]

Hi,
While installing my lights recently on an L3710 (the 2 year old version of your L3830) I found an open plug under the left rear fender
where the wiring goes in for the tailight this line runs off of the headlight switch. I just plugged into that line, put the switch under my canopy behind my head, and the light ( 55 watt halogen) works fine. I suspect you will find the same wire on yours Good Luck

 

[texbaylea]

There is a plug open on the floor on the right back corner of the seat for the Kubota work light option kit. It looks like the light has its own switch on the back. The kit has everything you need to mount/clamp the light on the ROPS and wire it in. I have not priced this option but it should be high quality along with a high price.

I looked at the schematic about a month ago but don't remember whether it goes to the fuse block or the light switch.


Vernon

 

[BXRICK]

You can do both.
On my BX1500, I use tapped into the headlight circuit under the dash. This then triggers a separate add-on fused circuit with a relay, which runs to the work lights. I did the same with the flasher circuit to run the strobe light.
I did not have to add any switches, yet I have separately fused and isolated circuits for my add-on lights.
You may then, of course add a switch to allow turning off your work light. You could add any old switch to the tapped wire, therefore not running the "high" current through the switch.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I just bought a neat little switch at NAPA I intend to use for forward facing and rear work lights. It's a brass marine switch that operates like the old pull/push headlamp switches on cars and trucks.

All the way in is off; one notch out is circuit A (in my case the forward facing work lights); two notches out is circuit B (rear work lights for me) and full out is circuits A and B (all lit up in my case).