Saturday Project

MikePA · Nov 3, 2001

Attached is a picture of how I spent my Saturday...installing flood lights on the back of my TC25D. The lights are KC HiLites Back-Up Flood Light Kit (No 517 Black). The only additional hardware (other than several electrical connectors) was a SPST switch from Radio Shack (lower part of photo). The brackets are secured underneath the nut that holds the flashers and the power comes from a pigtail that is powered when the ignition key is on. The pigtail is for the dealer installed light. The lamps are halogen (55 watts each) and the cases are ABS plastic. The housing can swivel left and right and up and down. The only modfication I had to make to the tractor was to drill a hole for the switch in the support for the SMV sign. The last step is to get some extra long tie wraps to secure the cable coming from the lights, the tie wraps I had were not long enough to fit around the ROPS.

My next project is to mount additional lights up front to shine over the FEL.

Edited by MikePA on 11/03/01 05:42 PM (server time).

ronjhall · Nov 3, 2001

Mike
Nice project. Its dark outside now, have you tried them out yet?

MChalkley · Nov 3, 2001

Nice job, Mike!

MarkC

MikePA · Nov 3, 2001

Thanks /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif! I tried them and they seem to work OK. I'll know for sure that first, snowy morning when I'm trying to hook up my rear blade and plow in the dark. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird · Nov 3, 2001

Nice job. That oughta put the light back there, all right, but you guys sure make me glad I don't have to get out and play in snow on cold winter mornings./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

cowboydoc · Nov 3, 2001

Very nice Mike I need to do that on my tractor one of these days as well.

zenmek · Nov 3, 2001

A real clean installation! Looks just like it belongs there/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Did you use supplied brackets or fabricate your own?

mswanson · Nov 3, 2001

Nice job Mike. I am in the middle of doing the same thing on my TC33D. I wen to Radio Shack and was also able to find rubber covers that go over the toggle switch to make it more water proof. I was going to mount the switch on top of the right fender near the 3pt hitch control. I will try to post a picture when I get done.

MikePA · Nov 4, 2001

I used the supplied brackets. I had to slightly enlarge the slot so it would fit over the bolt that comes out of the bottom of the flashers.

Do you have a part number for the rubber covers?

I answered my own question...
<A HREF="http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cookie%5Ftest=
1&catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%
5F007%5F003%5F000&product%5Fid=275%2D1596" target="_new">
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cookie_test=1
&catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%
5F007%5F003%5F000&product%5Fid=275%2D1596</A>

Edited by MikePA on 11/04/01 09:39 AM (server time).

alan40 · Nov 4, 2001

Nice job Mike. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif When I did my light system front and back it really made a big difference.
I still need to put on one more rear light on to see a little farther out. I have only one light facing the rear and it's pointed down to the attachment so I can see it and the snow load. Need to put a flood pattern on the other side so I can see farther out.
Wait untill you put on the front pair. They'll make a big difference up front.
Al

alan40 · Nov 4, 2001

Good Morning Bird, Didn't know were to post this so I did it here. That's one great signature you have. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Have a nice day!
Al
P.S. Your right about one other thing too!! You have to be a little off your rocker to get up a 4 AM to move snow, freeze your feet, etc. and then enjoy it. The one blessing that make it worth it is were I live I couldn't think of a better place to raise two little boys./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif and my wife can't either!!!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird · Nov 4, 2001

Good morning, Alan, and yes you're right. Sometimes I think I'd like living where there is really 4 seasons instead of the summer heat we have. Of course, I like not having to get out in the cold (although the cold never bothered me much so long as it wasn't wet at the same time), and I don't need a 4WD vehicle unless I'm getting off the roads./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MikePA · Nov 4, 2001

The backup flood lights I installed came with a relay as well as an inline 20 amp fuse.

What's the purpose of the relay, to reduce the current draw?

I ask because the two backup flood lights each are 55 watts which means 9.2 amps, correct? They're on a 15 amp circuit along with (according to the manual) H.S.T. and the Cruise Control.

The front lights are 85 watts each with a 30 amp inline fuse. Should I run a separate circuit directly from the battery for the front lights?

ronjhall · Nov 4, 2001

Mike
Relay is normally used to take load of lights instead switch. A lot of switches will not take load of turning on lights, horns and other heavy loads.
Run a wire from main battery line to common side of normally open contact of relay. Put 20 amp fuse in this wire. Run wire from other side of relay contact to lights. Use switch to energize relay. Wire from switch should be hot or + on relay. A ground wire will be needed on other coil wire or - of relay. Light kit should show a drawing of how to wire relay.
If this doesn't confuse you, you understand more about wiring than most.

Fullthrottle · Nov 4, 2001

Mike, Where did you end up buying the connector for your pigtail?

Jeff

MikePA · Nov 4, 2001

I didn't find one, so I ended up cutting the pigtail off and using butt connectors.

Devildog · Nov 4, 2001

Mike, Nice job.

2001 B7500 HST 302 Fel R4 Tires, Befco BRB60
Semper Fidelis

s1120 · Nov 4, 2001

Nice job, looks good. I have been thinking of putting a rear light on my Ingersoll, but I don't know if the charging system can take it. Any one know of a low watage light thats cheap. I would like to get something that you could put a red lens on for normal use, and remove it and have a clear light for night work.

TWINKLE_TOES · Nov 4, 2001

Paul,
This is how I did my lights, 2 forward, 2 back. It's cheap and has worked for about a year now. If you have a hole saw and some red acrylic slipping in a red lense would'nt be a problem if you didn't go to big on the bulb power. There is a lot of good information on this subject from about a year ago. Seems like snow and lights go together./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
DIY Lights

Al