Workable Headlights

[VictorW]

You can get gray electricians tape. Actually, you can find in in many colors. Ask you wife what color she likes and you could wrap it in a spiral and make it look like a giant candy cane.

 

[lakngulf]

I have read everything I can find on TBN on adding better headlights and a rear worklight. I have decided one of my best spots to tie in to tractor electrical is the work light pigtail just the SMV sign.

Here is my question: Where can I find the male end of that pigtail connection? I have looked in magazines, searched online, visited NAPA and other stores, but I have found nothing so far. Seems like it would be simple. the pigtail on my tractor has a "blank" male so I am assuming I could just buy one with wires already attached and be in business.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Gittyup]

Not sure about the connector you mention. But, a lot of those rear connectors are compatible with Molex connectors. You buy the shell and the contacts separately. Not usually available at your average brick-n-mortar store. But are available from digikey, newark electroncs, etc. I got some free by requesting samples directly from molex through their website.

You won't have a crimp tool. But you can make do with regular pliars.

Thoug I do think that some guys have found compatible pins at their local autoparts store.

 

[woodyacres]

I cut into mine and made my own connector. Then I cut in and added a switch under my dash. Turned out pretty nice. I believe I cut into the spare fuse and wired it there so that it had power whenever I turned on the switch, if the key is on. I will try and post up some pics. I bought everything from TS.

BTW, this was my first electrical project on any auto.

 

[jimmyj]

I just added lights and here are some pics.

NOTES:
1. I did drill and thread the lights into the ROPS. I accept it is not perfect but I don't accept it is a significant major risk.
2. I have not prettied up the wires yet. Too darned cold. I'll make them look nice and be protected in the spring, probably wrap them and make them match in color and run nice and straight.
3. The "bullet" connectors I got just came from the local hardware store. I also have bought huge packs of electrical connectors from harbor freight. If you can't find an exact match, cut the factory ones off and add an end you can get to the pigtails.
4. The new lights are AMAZING. I can swivel them and angle them. There is no need for the headlights really any more. I can aim one for and the other aft and work very easily at night.
5. I essentially ran one long wire from each side of the pigtail to the furthest light. As these 2 wires passed by the closer light, I ran them through a connector that has the two wires from the closer light in one side and the original 2 wires on the other. This connector closes around both wires like a clamshell and pierces the insulation.
6. I will protect all connections, but I can't find dielectric grease anywhere.
7. The lights run off the ignition switch and are on all the time. I plan to add an on/off switch right by the pigtails.
8. The lights are inside the ROPS or I'd break them off on tree branches. Also, they are placed so they don't hit the backhoe controls when the ROPS is folded down with the BH on the tractor.

The only problem I had was, because I'm a dope, I dropped one of the lights and broke it. I have to replace it now!!

 

[o2batsea]

JimmyJ were it me, I would have run the wiring inside the ROPS tube, protected with split loom. I also really hate the blue tap splice things. Rather a proper splice with (adhesive lined) shrink tube would be better. I would also suggest the wires be connected with a marine quality bus bar rather than simple bullet connectors, which can be pulled apart. Ring terminals do not come off very easily.
Finally, these lights really should be on a fused circuit and controlled with a heavy duty solenoid. You are running an additional ten amps thru the ignition switch which is a no no.
Fuses protect the wire, not the device so it is essential that you avoid the risk of a meltdown or worse.
A large square u bolt will also add a protective frame around the light.

 

[jimmyj]

O2batsea, tell me more.

I was planning to re route the wires through the ROPS in the spring and I will cover the connectors etc. But I'm intrigued about the 10amps through the ignition. What will I ruin by doing that? Can you help me understand how exactly the damage is done. I made an error I guess of assuming since the pigtail was located such to run a rear facing light, it would be OK to use it.

I have no issue routing this rig to the customer use 15 amp circuit. That was my original plan before I found the pigtails.

Any comments would be appreciated. I really like the lights, and can make them pretty but don't want to ruin anything.

 

[lakngulf]

Thanks jimmyj and others. I think we has a plan, or at least an approach. I see what you did with the bullet connectors. If I do not find the male component that I need, then I will go that route. It just seems to me that if I cut off the female end of the existing pigtail, the wires will be just so darn short, but the bullet connectors would be the answer.

On the O O O O"reily website I find a Dorman 2 wire male shroud harness (part number 85391) that looks so close. I may order online as I have not been able to find it at a store.

I will update as I progress.

 

[twoie]

Looks good. I agree the project will look better when you run the wires inside the rops. I also can not see a couple of small holes making the rops weak. Now if you're going to drill out a one hole, that may be a little much. Have you thought about putting one in the center facing the rear?

 

[Gil Case]

''I also can not see a couple of small holes making the rops weak.''

Twoie---You know there is an old saying "do you really want to find out" if it weakens the ROPS?

i.e. you wont know until it happens. Check Rick's Avatar.

 

[Gittyup]

There is absolutely no reason to weaken (albeit perhaps ever so slightly) your roll bar just to get lights on it. You can install them just as neatly and securely without drilling anything. Since this is the case, why even take a chance?

 

[o2batsea]

I was planning to re route the wires through the ROPS in the spring and I will cover the connectors etc. But I'm intrigued about the 10amps through the ignition. What will I ruin by doing that?

The switch may be rated to take that much amperage, or more, but it would be better to wire the lamps on their own dedicated circuit. There may be wires going back there, but I would check out the wiring diagram to see exactly how Mr Kioti ran them. You do have the option to leave it as is of course, and it will likely be OK.
There isn't any tractor wiring "code" I'm aware of, so I tend to fall back on my marine wiring ethic for outdoor power equipment since it tends to get more abuse than regular automotive. With this in mind, I like to keep high amp draws separate from existing circuits. I would see if there is an open fuse hole on the panel. Fit it with a 15 amp fuse. Run wire to the line terminal of your solenoid, and the load side to your lights. The switched power hot comes from a toggle switch you put somewhere convenient, and is a very low draw so it can be a hot tap from the light switch or your IGN ON. On my boat I would just run the whole thing thru a 15 amp circuit breaker.
I use marine grade tinned wire, adhesive lined heat shrink crimp ring terminals, and tinned bus bars from genuinedealz.com. They'll have the split loom too, or you can use the 14/2 duplex marine grade wire they sell. Good stuff. They also have battery cabling, terminal boots and supplies to upgrade the (junk) that came from the factory.

Can you help me understand how exactly the damage is done. I made an error I guess of assuming since the pigtail was located such to run a rear facing light, it would be OK to use it.

Don't know whether Mr Kioti thought to use one small 10 watt lamp or two 55 watt or what, so don't know what the circuit can take. Damage will be to the wire as in meltdown or fire ( Ohm's Law...resistance equals heat). The device (lamps) may not fail before the wire does, so that's why we need circuit protection. Assume nothing.

If you drill your holes in the center of the bar it will not diminish the strength in the least. Protect the holes with the properly sized rubber grommet to avoid chafe.

 

[Gittyup]

The 15A customer-use circuit is controlled by the ignition switch. Not sure if the ignition switch is controlling a relay or if it is directly switching the circuit. Anyway 15A at 12V isn't all that much juice anyway. Many switches (possibly even the ignition switch) can handle that directly with ease.

I directly switch the 15A through a marine grade toggle switch rated for 20A. There is no need to complicate things by using a relay, and a fuse is much cheaper and easier to install than a circuit breaker. Relay is a bit "safer", but a fuse is all you need for protection. Just make sure all components in the circuit (including the wire) can handle the current.

 

[Coyote machine]

I'm going to add lights similar to what you guys are doing.
Here are my thoughts: Any lights draw a significant # of amps that may strain the alternator for power needed to run the crucial circuits like the ignition, dash instruments, etc. Rather than compromise what amps go where, most autos and other vehicle manufacturers used auxiliary light circuits that have fused and relay protected wiring from fuse through to ground. This protects from overloads damaging the circuits in the alternator as well as providing a safety in the specific circuit so if something goes wrong the wires are less likely to burn.

My plan is to create a angled bracket that runs under the rops and is attached to it by large u-bolts. I plan to use a PVC material called Kleer which will allow me to put one side of the angle piece facing the FEL and the other leg of the angle facing the ground. Attached to the underside of the Kleer angle piece; actually a left over piece of premanufactured 'corner board', the lights will be attached. The U-bolts will likely face the rear of the tractor with the U portion going across the bottom and top of the ROPS.
From the left light to the right light the wiring will run in a small plastic loom and then will run down the inside edge of the ROPS to connect to the switch, relay and fuse. All wiring connections will be spliced with marine grade connectors and heat shrink wrapped with dielectric grease on the inside of the shrink tubing.
BTW, dielectric grease is similar to what auto stores sell for ignition grease. In worse case scenario one could use Vaseline. The idea is to reduce/prevent corrosion, which coating the connectors with grease will accomplish better than no coating.
If there is room I will put the switch in the blank spot above the PTO switch on the right side of the steering column.
If one is searching for electrical connectors marine grade ones can be found at places like West Marine's web site, for one example. Anchor is a manufacturer of connectors and sells kits with the connectors, a crimping tool, etc. High quality connectors are more expensive but are worth it; doing it once the right way.

 

[Mousefield]

My CK 35 HST was sure great last year when we had about 5 feet of snow. The most since 1996. It did a good job clearing around the house and barn as well as ¾ mile of private road. When I lifted the bucket full of snow at night the headlights were pretty useless. I had Superior Tractor put on a rear working light on the ROPS before he shipped it to me in June of 2008. I have put three more lights on the ROPS, one facing back and two forward. Two are fog lights (one facing front the other back) I picked up at a garage sale years ago and the other a new halogen facing front. I did a large burn pile on Saturday and used my Woods backhoe to repile the brush as it burnt down. Nice to have the lights, first time I had used them at night. I have them on two separate toggle switches and will not work if the key is not on.

 

[lakngulf]

Mousefield, please describe how you hooked them all up. I am assuming the dealer hooked the work light into the rear pigtail. Did you jump off that for some of the lights, or use another source?

 

[Mousefield]

I took a couple more pics this morning regarding the extra lights on the ROPS.
Superior Tractor had put the rear round work light on for me before it was delivered.
I put the two fog lights on and put then on the same wire as the round work light. Blew a fuse. Then did some digging and found what I believe is the customer use 15 amp circuit. Added the rectangular halogen light to the front. The two fog lights and rectangular halogen are on the same circuit. So one toggle works the round light and the other toggle works the other three. The toggle switches are located behind the tool box. If grading our road I put the lights on just in case of traffic as it is a one lane road. By having them on a toggle switch I don't have to have them on when doing things on my property in daylight.

 

[lakngulf]

Thanks for the pictures and the info. The fuse blowing episode is exactly what I and others needed to know. I am still in the planning stages, and know a better approach now, knowing that the rear light pigtail will not handle but one light.

 

[Mousefield]

To clarify my earlier post of today. This picture shows the "customer use" wire that I have the 3 lights on. It is rated for 15 amps. Located at the right rear as you are looking forward. The gray arm on the right of the wire is the 3 point hitch arm, this should help you with the location of the conection.

 

[Coyote machine]

Hey Mousefield,
great pics!
Can I suggest you add your make and model to your avatar area,( sorry, I can't remember what its actually called). This will help people know which model you're using and if there's is different or the same...

Thx,

CM