B2601 Lighting Project

B737

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LX3310
Jun 9, 2019
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finally wrapped up my lighting project for the 2601.

Originally I wanted to simply use the Aux Light circuit in the back until I realized they used 20ga wire, and it is a 5 amp circuit. My lights are 2 amps each. Normally, only one pair will be in use at a time (and possibly the 1 amp beacon), so nominal load would be around 5 amps, but if running all the lights (9 amps), the circuit should be equipped for that just in case. On the BX, the rear aux circuit was 10 amps and was 14ga wire, this project on my old machine was a lot easier.

I ran a 12ga wire from the engine compartment to the rear following along the main wire harness to feed the sealed control box I mounted to the SMV sign bracket. Installed 3 waterproof 25 amp toggles. 1 for front floods, rear pair, and the beacon. Wiring for the lights themselves is 16ga, run inside the rops from the bottom opening near the 3 point hitch, up the rops, out the existing holes, into the brackets. The floodlights are the little Rigid 4 led floods, nothing crazy. The brackets are the ones from Paul and Kathy Short. The rear lights can be rotated forward when the rops is folded down.

The relay upfront was mounted behind the firewall, it's a 40 amp relay that's fused at 10 amps. For the trigger, I removed the pin from the fuse block for the switched 5 amp "work light" circuit, soldered an additional 20ga wire to that pin, reinserted it into the fuse block (blue wire), it comes on with the ignition.

that's all there was to it. I won't admit the embarrassing amount of time it took me to plan or figure out how a relay worked ;)










fuse pin removed and trigger soldered


reinserted and fuse reinstalled


relay


Relay is "fed" by the lug on the starter, it has an inline 10 amp fuse. Towards the right you see the extra ground wire for the rear box and the relay to the - lug on the starter from the battery as well.




 
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greg86z28

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B2601
May 17, 2020
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South Central Wisconsin
Looks great. If you don't mind me asking, what LEDs and beacon are you using? Do you have any closeups of how the beacon is mounted/wired?

I really need to get on top of lighting for my B. The factory lights are practically useless unless you're mowing the lawn with the loader off :rolleyes:.
 

B737

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LX3310
Jun 9, 2019
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The flood lights are Rigid 3" D-Series. I'm happy with them. The beacon was from amazon (Pro LED MSWM75A), it was from my BX which had limited parking clearance. I just carried it over to the 2601. It's mounted magnetically. I wrapped all the light wires in split conduit, entered into the rops through the existing holes, down the inside, and out the bottom.

Running 4 of those flood lights, the beacon (if im near the street), plus the machines lights, I see the electrical system putting out about 14.5 volts, ive seen it settle down to around 13 volts. Im not sure if I went overkill with the relay and wire, may have not been needed after all. I was worried the little alternator(?) on the B wouldnt keep up but its doing just fine. Im happy with the height as they dont cast a shadow.
 
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