Power to an electric sprayer

[fredhargis]

I need to somehow provide power to a little tow behind sprayer on my 2920. The pump is fused at 8 amps, so what size wire would I need to carry that load. Witout advice, I would probably just connect a wire to the positive post on the battery, run it to the back of the tractor and use a 2 pole trailer connector to hook it up. Thoughts? As always, thanks in advance for the input.

 

[CajunCurr]

I am about to do the same thing for a spray on B2630 (if I every get time). I am going to use 10 AWG wire with an inline fuse connected directly to the battery. I checked and there is not a spare fuse in the fuse panel. I have 3/8" split loom so the wiring will be protected and match the wiring of the tractor. I bought a marine style 12V socket which will be mounted in the rear for easy access.

 

[dennisgw]

Considering 12 gauge can handle 20 amps, 14 guage 15 amps, 10 is MORE than adequate. I used a 4 pole metal trailer connector for my sprayer. Female side has spring loaded weather cap to cover the input side, male side just slides in nice. I tapped into existing line under the seat. I rarely use lights so not an issue.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Considering 12 gauge can handle 20 amps, 14 guage 15 amps, 10 is MORE than adequate....

Hey, I'm no expert, but those sound like capacities for a 110V AC system. A couple of volts lost wouldn't make much difference @ 110V, but would @ 12V.

Here's a wire size chart that might be more appropriate: Amps and Wire Gauge - 12V Circuit Don't forget to measure the total loop length.

Z.

 

[rbargeron]

I would be more concerned about whether your alternator and battery will be up to the task. With 100 watts continuous power needed for spraying, after a few hours your battery may be too weak to start the tractor. Keeping the revs up will help. I have about 300 watts of lighting on my rig for snow blowing at night - if I run them all - plus the heater fan, it makes the battery weak in about 2 hours.

 

[dodge man]

Don't forget to put a fuse in line also.

 

[BrierPatch]

When I put lights on my ROPS I put them on a plug and it is no coincidence that it is the same type of plug that my electric sprayer has as well. All I have to do is unplug my lights and plug in my sprayer and I use the light switch to turn the sprayer on and off with. The power I used is the factory wiring for the work light that is under the right rear fender, its fused and turns off with the key. As far as wire size I just matched what was on the tractor or the plug connectors.

Good Luck

 

[fredhargis]

I would be more concerned about whether your alternator and battery will be up to the task. With 100 watts continuous power needed for spraying, after a few hours your battery may be too weak to start the tractor. Keeping the revs up will help. I have about 300 watts of lighting on my rig for snow blowing at night - if I run them all - plus the heater fan, it makes the battery weak in about 2 hours.

I am concerned about that, but I'm guessing it's not going to draw 100 watts. It will likely draw quite a bit less than the fuse size, but I'll measure it after I get everything set up. The other thing is I don't expect to spray often, and only on about 3 acres...right now (with no experience whatsoever) I would think I could do that in less than 2 hours. The sprayer has a 10' boom. That chart that was linked is the info I was looking for, I'm familiar with the amps/wire sizing at 120/240 V, but not 12V. DC.

 

[zzvyb6]

I use a small snowmobile/ATV battery on the back to power my sprayer instead of fussing with all the wires and connectors. Charge it back up when you are all done.

I recently got one of those emergency AutoPower charge packs at a garage sale. It has a 12v cigar outlet as well as clamps. It would work the same and its lighter, smaller and less fragile than the ATV battery.

 

[Lockport]

I used a standard role of automobile wire, prob 16 gauge, used some butt connectors to the rear work lamp tap under the seat, drilled a small hole in the rearward facing edge of the fender and connected a marine grade 12V cigarette lighter adapter with plastic cover. It's already fused on the solenoid circuit on the BX's to power my 3PH sprayer.

Always meant to wire a switch in the dash area but never got around to it.

 

[WVBill]

I recently got one of those emergency AutoPower charge packs at a garage sale. It has a 12v cigar outlet as well as clamps. It would work the same and its lighter, smaller and less fragile than the ATV battery.

- That's what I use too.

 

[k0ua]

My little sprayer was fused at 5 amps and had 16 guage wire. I just hooked it into the existing Kubota wiring under the left fender for the aux. work light kit. As I dont have the work light I just brought the wire thru the wire loom and out the back of the tractor and spliced in a 2 prong trailer type waterproof connector. ( be sure the ground prong is the exposed one) and then put a little No-Oxide (made by SanChem I use it on all low-voltage electrical connections) grease compound in and on the prongs and plugged in the sprayer wiring matching connector. The sprayer has its own on and off switch which I can reach from the seat. The work light wiring is fused on the Kubota fuse panel at 10 amps and is activated by the key, so everything is dead when the key is off. Works good:thumbsup: For the do it yourselfer who is going to run your own wire, make sure that the fuse is at the battery end of the wire, as close as possible to the battery, as you don't want the chance of the wire chafing and wearing thru and touching chassis ground BEFORE the inline fuse. Because if you have that happen it can get interesting in a big hurry.

James K0UA

James K0UA

 

[Toolguy]

I use an electric sprayer with my B3030. I powered it by using the rear worklight wire to activate a 30 amp relay when the key is on. I ran a fused wire from the battery post on the starter back to the relay which I mounted under the right rear fender. The relay has three power out circuits. I use one to to power the sprayer and the other two to power the lights I added to the Rops. Works great and has fused power available just by turning the key to ON. I also added the 43 amp alternator for extra capacity.

 

[fredhargis]

Thanks, Guys! Using that work light connection makes too much sense to not do it. I've got a switch I'll install and just wire to that.