Snowblower lights

[jonw440 196]

I will be running my 1993  single stage short chute snowblower on my 314-8(1993) I want a lot of light output and thinking of two different ideas.

The first is to upgrade the tractor lights to LED's (like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G8EJAFW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2A4MESS7TV7EL&psc=1 )

OR adding a LED light or Lights to the top of the snowblower. https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-ZH010-Driving-Harness-Warranty/dp/B06XRPZF6Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuJ7g77Kq9AIVl47ICh1EUgEdEAMYASAAEgKnM_D_BwE&hvadid=557474259987&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001637&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=770854383258030460&hvtargid=kwd-325459479242&hydadcr=7472_13185722&keywords=led+snow+blower+light&qid=1637535210&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaVEZaTlE5Q1NNUkUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzMyNTkyUTVaUExQSkNYVk9WJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNTgyMDkxS0NIRjM2NEFXMlZMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I am just worried my snowblower shute would block the tractor lights and maybe a snowblower mounted light set would be better.

Edited November 21, 2021 by jonw440

[rjg854 12,050]

These lights are similar to the ones you posted. I made a frame so I didn't have to drill holes in the hood. And they're spread out enough so that no matter which way the chute is, it doesn't block the light. And the lights are quite bright.

[Achto 29,229]

I have these lights on a couple of my tractors. They are very bright and have a small profile. Mounting them on each side of the blower would give a lot of light.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Lights-Driving-Round-Offroad/dp/B00VL4H78W/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1RLRK56O548UP&keywords=mini%2Bdriving%2Blight&qid=1637539469&sprefix=mini%2Bdriving%2B%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-5&th=1

Edited November 22, 2021 by Achto

[ebinmaine 71,827]

I tend to really like a lot of light when snowblowing because we move snow in the dark more often than not. 

 

My first instinct is to do both better tractor lights AND an auxiliary set. 

 

But mull this over.... What about cutting snowbanks or really big storms. Will the lights be able to be mounted in a place that will keep them from being damaged in a huge snowstorm?

 

Also, do you use the tractor for other things ... Mowing towing stuff. Etc...

 

If so I'd still do both upgrades and keep the secondary set on the tractor as seen above.  

 

 

[Snoopy11 5,717]

1 hour ago, jonw440 said:

adding a LED light or Lights to the top of the snowblower. https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-ZH010-Driving-Harness-Warranty/dp/B06XRPZF6Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuJ7g77Kq9AIVl47ICh1EUgEdEAMYASAAEgKnM_D_BwE&hvadid=557474259987&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001637&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=770854383258030460&hvtargid=kwd-325459479242&hydadcr=7472_13185722&keywords=led+snow+blower+light&qid=1637535210&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaVEZaTlE5Q1NNUkUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzMyNTkyUTVaUExQSkNYVk9WJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNTgyMDkxS0NIRjM2NEFXMlZMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Definitely go with Nilight... that is what I have on my JD... those are MONEY... 

 

They don't pull much power as well... another plus! 

 

Don

[TJ5208 1,824]

Nice looking upgrade

[TJ5208 1,824]

2 hours ago, Achto said:

I have these lights on a couple of my tractors. They are very bright and have a small profile. Mounting them on each side of the blower would give a lot of light.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Lights-Driving-Round-Offroad/dp/B00VL4H78W/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1RLRK56O548UP&keywords=mini%2Bdriving%2Blight&qid=1637539469&sprefix=mini%2Bdriving%2B%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-5&th=1

Like the idea

Edited November 22, 2021 by TJ salyers

[jonw440 196]

Thanks guys for the replies. I was worrying about amp draw with using extra lights which is why I thought the LED auxiliary lights would work great. I like the idea of adding a bracket so no holes are needed to mount the lights. I can remove them  in the spring when I don't need them.

[TJ5208 1,824]

Leds are nice and bright and dont draw amps nice job

Edited November 22, 2021 by TJ salyers

[kpinnc 14,280]

I can vouch for those lights, and have them on two tractors. They far exceed factory light's output. They also draw nearly nothing power wise.

 

That being said- add a cheap digital voltmeter and keep an eye on it with aux LEDs. So long as you stay above 12.5 VDC or more, you'll be fine.

[peter lena 9,190]

@jonw440  great opportunity to enhance your light grounding , from lights to engine block or to battery ground mount . a simple good upgrade , pete

[ebinmaine 71,827]

7 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@jonw440  great opportunity to enhance your light grounding , from lights to engine block or to battery ground mount . a simple good upgrade , pete

 

 

Pete brings up a very good point.

 

LED lights seem to be particularly sensitive to having a very good ground.

[peter lena 9,190]

@rig854 , noticed your blower chute rotation handle , changed over to this years ago , easy to install and works very good with mittens , local h/w store had knob , grind taper , use die nut, pete

 

[jonw440 196]

21 hours ago, kpinnc said:

I can vouch for those lights, and have them on two tractors. They far exceed factory light's output. They also draw nearly nothing power wise.

 

That being said- add a cheap digital voltmeter and keep an eye on it with aux LEDs. So long as you stay above 12.5 VDC or more, you'll be fine.

I ordered these lights and will install them and see how bright and the pattern is. If its good enough great, if not OI will add the aux lights. Will install this weekend and post some before and after pictures.

 

[Bob Lister 142]

I just upgraded to LED's in my 312.  Very happy with results. They flicker at idle but give plenty of light as soon as i give any throttle.  My lights don't run off battery so no concern with charging issues

[kpinnc 14,280]

I guess I've been lucky, because none of the 3 tractors I've converted to LED flicker at all. 

 

But one thing I do differently is to run a ground wire to the frame so the hood pivot is not the ground source. Might be pointless, but so far so good.

[ebinmaine 71,827]

6 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

But one thing I do differently is to run a ground wire to the frame so the hood pivot is not the ground source. Might be pointless, but so far so good.

 

Extra ground wires in a DC system are an excellent idea. 

DC. Direct Current. 

No direct, no circuit. 

 

When I wire a tractor I run individual ground wires for every component. 

 

Of particular importance is one from the VR mounting bolt to be SURE that's well grounded. 

[Maxwell-8 4,367]

What about lights location? 

 

I know fog lamps are mounted lower to not blind you when driving trough fog but still light as much of the road as possible

[Maxwell-8 4,367]

12 hours ago, kpinnc said:

I guess I've been lucky, because none of the 3 tractors I've converted to LED flicker at all. 

 

But one thing I do differently is to run a ground wire to the frame so the hood pivot is not the ground source. Might be pointless, but so far so good.

I bought a LED lightbar for my car, no flicker but it makes a loud zoomy noise. Not that you are going to hear it over a tractor running but I found it to be quite strange.

[jonw440 196]

The lights fit perfectly. The same size as OEM lights.

These are the Vstar LED PAR36 9W,Replacement to 50W Halogen,850 Lumens,LED Light Bulbs,12V AC/DC Lamp Landscape Waterproof (Warm White)

Edited November 29, 2021 by jonw440

[ebinmaine 71,827]

35 minutes ago, jonw440 said:

These are the Vstar LED PAR36

Niiiiice

[Handy Don 13,683]

Very. happy with those myself. The warm color temperature of the light works well for seeing vegetation as well as things like walls and pavement and isn't so glaring when used in snow. 

[jonw440 196]

I did run an extra ground wire were the motor mount ground wire goes to the hood hinge. I then added a wire from there( sanding everything and cleaning everything) up to were the two ground wires for the lights connect.

[ebinmaine 71,827]

7 minutes ago, jonw440 said:

extra ground wire

Good idea. When I rewire a tractor I add an extra ground wire for every circuit. 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,391]

Cab lights are OK as long as it is not snowing or windy. If it is all you will see is the snow falling and blowing.

I like the hood lights and a backup lamp for plowing and snowthrower duty.