Need Help, Lights, I must be dummer than most

[Freds]

I spoke with my dealer and he said that BXs have a two light factory option from Kubota and the L just a one light. That's why the different amperage plug that's already available for use. I don't know the wattages or amperage draws of the factory lights and I find it odd that they would offer different light kits.
My dealer suggested that I contact Kubota again and this time write down the person's name if I wire it according to them... just in case. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif , but he also said that if I heard it from the factory then it must be OK.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I would like to utilize the fusebox and it would of course cut down on the amount of wire rather than running a line from the battery, but we'll see. No hurry. Jury's still out.

Curt, it's nice to read that you are running two 55 watt lights off of the factory 7.5a plug without problem. Makes using a 15a fuse to run four sound more feasible.

 

[surfran]

If you indeed have a 40-60 amp alternator as Curt stated the 3130's have, I would say you should be all set running 4 lights. You could run the power wiring several ways depending on what is easiest for you and how you want your lights to work.

Myself I would use 2 circuits probably with an individual switch for each separated for front and back lights.

You are more than welcome to question Kubota with the information I provided. It is as simple as 55w * 4 = 220w.

220w/ 12v = 18.33 amps

I think you just received a more generalized statement from them without them much thinking about the number of lights you were running.

Good luck with your install. I know the lights are a godsend in the Winter while moving snow! I take mine off for Summer as daylight is much later and when it gets dark I want to sit back with a cold one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Freds]

I think I was so in awe that they called (plus a little busy at work) that I just said "you sure it's OK to run 4-55w lights from the fusebox with a 15amp fuse? OK."
I wish I had gotten into wire size with him also, but I did mention using a relay and he said one wasn't needed.

Does the size of the alternator have anything to do with the size of the fuse used? I mean... if Curt is drawing 9.16 amps from his two lights off a 7.5 amp circuit... what gives? Can a larger alternator overcome less than ideal circuitry? Would it make a difference as to the length of time the lights are actually on?

By what I am gathering so far I may just run two forward lights from the existing plug so they come on with the headlights and run a separate circuit from the fusebox for the rear two.

I love all these different roads to reach a common goal... getting more darn light, but I really appreciate all the opinions and methods because I'm learning something from it all.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> If you indeed have a 40-60 amp alternator as Curt stated the 3130's hav </font>

Standard size alternator on the L3130 is 40amp. Freds should have enough amperage to run all 4 lights. If it was me, I would run 2 circuits of 2 lights each and run a relay on each of the 2 circuits to take the load off the switches. I'd also make sure I used water proof marine grade components, they typically only cost a little bit more but they make sense to use on a tractor that might occasionally sit outside or get rained on.

 

[shoppintractors]

So, 4-55 watt lights take 18.33 amps and you have a 40 amp alternator. The tractor using the factory lights would need to use less than 21.67 amps to maintain a positive charging situation for the battery?? How many "factory" amps does the 3130 draw??

Don

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Don, I'll admit to not knowing the answer, but I suspect that in real world terms it really doesn't matter if there is a positive charge or if there is a very small negative drain. Presume there are 4 55-watt lights as the headlamps. Also presume there are a couple tail lamps of lower wattage. Also presume there are 2 forward 55-watt lights and 2 rear facing 55-watt lights that Freds adds to his L3130. Now logically one would not be operating both the forward facing and the rearward facing auxilary lamps at the same time. So again, using some level of logical operating, Freds might have 4 55watt headlamps (I'm guessing that is what he has) plus he has 2 55watt aux lamps, plus he has a some tail lamps, the total draw would be less than 40 amps, it would likely be in the low 30's depending on exactly how much power the tail lamps draw, the combined draw of the 6 55watt lamps would be right about 28 amps.

Now if he was running in reverse, and he had his headlamps on and 2 rear facing aux lamps, he'd use exactly the same amperage, again likely to be in the low 30's.

Then there are those possible times when he would run all 4 aux lamps (presume all 4 were facing forward) his draw from his 4 stock headlamps PLUS his draw from his 4 aux lamps would be just under 37 amps. Add a few amps for the tail lamps and he might be up to 42 or 43 amps on a 40amp alternator.

Unless Freds is planning on doing the vast majority of his tractoring when owls are out hunting prey and vampires have left their lair, then the minimal negative draw would never be noticed in real life terms. Under a typical CUT user, which might include 50 to 100 hours a year of use, and when probably 90% of that is done during daylight hours, the likelyhood that there would be any real life negative effects are virtually nil.

I think it is probably more important to consider real life circumstances than it is to look at some of the technical minutia that some folks often get hung up on. There are plenty of guys here on TBN driving around with little Kubota BXs that have added far more electrical draw than their alternator can replenish, yet they don't report problems. Why? Simply because the majority of their operating hours are daylight hours and those few moments when they drive around at night create an insignificant real world draw down on their electrical system, while their daylight hours of operation regenerate the minor draw down they might have done when they operated at night for 30 minutes over the past month.

JMHO. Then again, I've admitted I'm not an electrical expert, nor am I a rocket scientist. I sell candy to kids, it doesn't take a lot of brains to do that, so I don't claim to be too bright. But I'm bright enough to figure out simple real world electrical cause & effect situation.

 

[shoppintractors]

Thanks Bob,

It does appear there are some limitations. Not quite carte blanche. It would be a shame if someone plowed snow for many hours with all the lights on and inadvertently discharged the battery.

Thanks for shedding some additional light on the subject. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Don

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Don, yes there are SOME limitation. But it would take many hours with all 8 lights running to cause any real issues, and it is very likely that one of those idiot lights on the dashboard would light up to warn the user that his battery was at a critical level. Simply shutting down a pair of them would resolve the problem, if in fact it ever got to that point. There is a thread in the JD forum where a guy running a fairly small JD was powering several 55watt lights and his battery drain light never lit up. Again, the practical application based on the way MOST people use there tractors is that there is minimal real life risk. Sort of like crossing the street in the middle of the block. . . most of us know we are supposed to cross at the corner because it is safer, but most of us do it anyway and never suffer any ill consequences because of it.

 

[shoppintractors]

If your alternator/battery light comes on, is it telling you the alternator is not charging or is it telling you the battery is dead?

<font color="blue">Simply shutting down a pair of them would resolve the problem, </font>

That's what us illogical people need to know. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Don

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any idea if they make a quick disconnect for 8 gauge wire? I want to take the Sims cab off in the summer and I want to disconnect the power to the fuse box. I looked at Radio Shack web site, no luck, any suggestions??
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Anyone have any suggestions or alternatives for my problem??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif