Lawn mower headlite to LED?


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Old 09-02-19, 02:48 PM
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Lawn mower headlite to LED?

Is it possible to convert an old style lawnmower head light bulb (type 1156) to an LED style? I've got 12 volts DC going to each head light socket.

 

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09-02-19, 07:28 PM
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I get mine from m4 products.. Type in "RVgeeks" in coupon code for 5% off

Cool Bright White 1141 1156 Retrofit LED Light
 
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Old 09-02-19, 04:06 PM
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Answered my own question. Apparently Sylvania make an LED replacement $19.99 at Advance Auto.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 04:33 PM
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If the lamps run on battery power there would be no problem.
If they run directly off the alternator.... they may flicker.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 04:46 PM
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Hmm...

It's a Cub Cadet LTX1045. I don't believe it has an alternator. Will running those lights drain the battery any more so than the original filament bulbs? And speaking of battery, I never considered whether riding mowers have a battery recharge system. Every time I start that machine I've killed one more life out of the battery? Not like a car that recharges as you drive. Or does it have some type of dynamo lighting the lights? Right now I feel very stupid!

edit...So further investigation tells me that yes riding mowers do have alternators.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 05:00 PM
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They have a trickle charge circuit. I'd say like 2A maximum.
Those LED bulbs will use less power than the original bulbs which should be a good thing.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 05:01 PM
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Thanks PJ. I'm going to try them.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 05:23 PM
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You can. They are much cheaper online. Google 1156 led bulb. It has an alternator to charge the battery and run the lights. If it flickers, you could run them straight from battery or add a capacitor.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 05:51 PM
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Did do a Google and not much cheaper $14.75, then add shipping. I'll pay the twenty and not wait weeks for mail delivery. E-bay has them for under a $1.00. China. 8 weeks. Amazon as low as $13, free shipping if spending $25. Don't have Prime. Besides it not for myself but this mower is going to my younger son. Want him to have a completely working mower when we give it to him next week.

If I get flicker I'll ask about a capacitor.

Thanks guys for the good info.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 06:44 PM
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The 1156 is the base style but the number you want to look at is the lumens which varies a lot. About 8 t0 10 years ago I replaced my headlight lamps in my Kubota tractor and had trouble finding anything locally. Ended up ordering online but came in 2 days.

Today I would expect Walmart or any of the auto parts stores to have them on the shelf. I think mine were 320 lumens but I wish they had brighter. They work and their purpose was to last forever as my original kept failing. And they have.

Bud
 
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Old 09-02-19, 07:28 PM
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I get mine from m4 products.. Type in "RVgeeks" in coupon code for 5% off

Cool Bright White 1141 1156 Retrofit LED Light
 
Bud9051, PJmax voted this post useful.
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Old 09-02-19, 07:53 PM
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Good link Mike !
If you look down that page they also offer a super replacement at almost 600 lumens.
 
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Old 09-03-19, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by PJmax

they also offer a super replacement at almost 600 lumens.
If you are going to do that, you might as well install a cigarette lighter on the lawn tractor and run a full on deer-spotting light.

- Yes, I have seen a lawn tractor with a cigarette lighter wired in.
- Some local farmers wire-in a deer-spotting-light to their farm tractors.
Because only one thing says "stop tailgating me" better than few million candle power....




That's would be a PTO operated manure spreader.
 
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Old 09-04-19, 05:38 AM
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I bought theses. Really bright. Note...for off road use only. These are project a beam vs a wide angle projection.



 
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Old 09-04-19, 06:18 AM
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Two questions.
I could not find a a lumens rating?
And how do you like them?

One link I looked at mentioned in the search information something like 1,700 lumens, but nothing on the page it went to. Maybe their package?

Bud
 
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Old 09-04-19, 10:42 AM
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Yea, I also could not find a lumens rating. But they are very bright. They can easily be used at dusk to finish that little bit of lawn that you can't finish by night fall. Great for seeing when pulling into the garage or shed. I was debating on whether to get the flood or spot type. Decide on the spot style. Lets blind oncoming traffic.

Since it's my son's mower that I'm fixing up, I didn't actually try them out at night.
 
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Old 09-04-19, 11:12 AM
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The headlights on my tractor were useless at dusk so wanted something brighter and longer lasting. Now that much brighter lamps are readily available I might change again. I don't do much after it gets really dark, I'm dangerous enough in the light.

Actually I have the roll bar and that is where front and back lights would work better, backhoe on back.

Bud
 
 

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