Adding Lights to the Excavator

Adding Lights to the Excavator
Lights: amzn.to/2EZbZdW
Flex Conduit: amzn.to/2onfmkl
Wire: amzn.to/2FiwMGM
Gator Clips: amzn.to/2BGAg6d
Man! I wish I'd have done this years ago! But I always put it off saying that it just wasn't on the critical path. But now, as I look to take on my first third party job with this machine, they are necessary to give me flexibility. Plus, LED light costs have come down a lot, and the technology has improved.
These lights are only 27W rated, but compared to an avg 60W incandescent light bulb, these things are worlds better. I used existing holes on the machine from other mounting brackets (one of them was a factory light mount) and just put on as many as I could find holes for, and that would be of actual value.
For the wire I just ran 14ga hot lead and 16ga neutral/ground. I could have grounded to the frame at each spot, but just for a sense of better continuity and less risk of ground failure, I figured I'd run it all direct back to the battery.
As an update, so far I've run the lights extensively and without fail. Yes I've broken one, and had a wire tug loose, but that was my fault, not the lights'.

[@letsdig18]

those stick lights will last about a week lol

[@TomBrueggen]

letsdig18 yessir. Good thing they’re cheap! As long as I’m not clearing they’ll be fine. I’ve only broken one so far. But pulled the wires loose on a couple as well. I can improve it. Probably won’t though. Just keep sticking it together with tape long enough to get the job done.

[@2950johndeere]

The ones on the stick wont last long in the woods. You would be better putting 4 up on the main boom. Even then limbs are hell on lights

[@TomBrueggen]

So I've already learned...! I figured I'd loose a few. Actually only broken off one light. The rest are all just wires tugged loose.

[@goliath200us]

Let there be light! Another job well done.

[@TomBrueggen]

I am so excited about it! I got more coming. I need to clean up the install a bit. I've already pulled several wires loose doing some clearing. Need to see about maybe putting some rigid conduit or something where wires are exposed. Zip ties just ain't gonna cut it!

[@goliath200us]

Tom Brueggen was wondering about all of the loose wires too. If they make it flexible conduit might be lots easier to install.

[@TomBrueggen]

I have flex conduit to install, but even it can tug loose. That's probably what I'll do for now. But ideally I'd put wires along the boom in rigid conduit. Along and through the body of the machine flex will be plenty enough.