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RJ Hamner

Adding a circuit for lights for an 876

By RJ Hamner, in Wheel Horse Electrical

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RJ Hamner    1,011

RJ Hamner
Posted

One of the prior owners had added head and tail light to the tractor (876's did not have lights)

I am getting down the the "short strokes" with the rebuild and trying to figure out the best place to add the circuit.

My thoughts so far are to tap into the cigar lighter and run the wire over to the wafer switch (the PO did an outstanding job installing the switch to the dash panel):scratchead:

As most of the tractors that HAVE lights use a fuse in the circuit and I have been thinking of putting the fuse between the cigar lighter and the wafer switch.

YES/NO??? Other ideas? 

When I disassembled the tractor I know that there was no fuse and I am not real sure about wires

 (I wasn't paying that much attention to the wires as I had the diagram and didn't realize then that the 876 didn't have lights) :ranting:

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Handy Don    12,470

Handy Don
Posted (edited)

Tapping the power at the "cigar" lighter to power the lights should not be a problem. Adding an inline fuse in the circuit is an excellent idea. I'd suggest putting it between the power source and the lighter so both the lighter and light circuits would be protected. Only concern is that lighters use a LOT of juice (10 amps or so at 12v) so the fuse should be at least 20 amps. If the fuse blows when the lights are on and you push in the lighter, up it to 25 or 30 amps!

 

Only issue I have is not knowing the charging capacity of your engine and the wattage of the lights. If the lights use more than the charging capacity, you'll be drawing down the battery whenever the lights are on.

 

Edited by Handy Don
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RJ Hamner    1,011

RJ Hamner
Posted
44 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Tapping the power at the "cigar" lighter to power the lights should not be a problem. Adding an inline fuse in the circuit is an excellent idea. I'd suggest putting it between the power source and the lighter so both the lighter and light circuits would be protected. Only concern is that lighters use a LOT of juice (10 amps or so at 12v) so the fuse should be at least 20 amps. If the fuse blows when the lights are on and you push in the lighter, up it to 25 or 30 amps!

 

Only issue I have is not knowing the charging capacity of your engine and the wattage of the lights. If the lights use more than the charging capacity, you'll be drawing down the battery whenever the lights are on.

 

Between the power source and the lighter.  I should have thought of that, Thanks  Tried looking in the manuals and on the generator itself but can't find the amps.  Maybe I can cross reference the model/serial #'s

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RJ Hamner    1,011

RJ Hamner
Posted

Tracked down the model of starter generator it shows 12 amp on one website and 15 on another.

Not being an electrician.....is this going to be enough if I use the lights and not drain the battery?

*Not asking for a friend*

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Handy Don    12,470

Handy Don
Posted
1 hour ago, RJ Hamner said:

Between the power source and the lighter.  I should have thought of that, Thanks  Tried looking in the manuals and on the generator itself but can't find the amps.  Maybe I can cross reference the model/serial #'s

What engine do you have? Make/Model?

Do you have the total wattage of the lights? (Watts/12 = amps)

Note that changing to LED bulbs will dramatically lower the power consumed but unless you have a voltage regulator or a diode bridge in your system, they might flicker

Lots of Kohlers and Tecumsehs had 3-amps only--really intended just to charge the battery. An intermittent load for a cigar lighter wouldn't really be an issue. Using all that to keep lights lit for an extended session would be! Engines intended for units with accessories had more generator capacity.

Can you link the wiring diagram here?

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Handy Don    12,470

Handy Don
Posted

We crossed in the mail.

That is plenty of power for lights (even incandescents) and to keep things charged. BTW, you can get an adaptor for the cigar lighter and keep you phone charged while you mow!

 

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RJ Hamner    1,011

RJ Hamner
Posted
1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

We crossed in the mail.

That is plenty of power for lights (even incandescents) and to keep things charged. BTW, you can get an adaptor for the cigar lighter and keep you phone charged while you mow!

 

YOPE!  Mowing and or Plowing Snow is one of the few places on earth where nobody bothers me.  That being said not sure if they are being nice, or they are scared stiff when I am using power tools and equipment.

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Handy Don    12,470

Handy Don
Posted
16 hours ago, RJ Hamner said:

YOPE!  Mowing and or Plowing Snow is one of the few places on earth where nobody bothers me.  That being said not sure if they are being nice, or they are scared stiff when I am using power tools and equipment.

Could also be reluctance to be asked to help!

I think Thoreau commented that a man will be truly left alone while weeding his garden.

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