odd lights

greenb6901

Tractorologist
Member
Not sure if this is the place for this but here goes.
I recently purchased a Simplicity 3416S.
It has the headlights on the side of the hood.
I have checked everywhere and they are no longer available. There have been several posts on replacement ideas for these but as I have all the original bulbs, I would like to keep the look.
I am thinking about cutting the bulb just at the brass and inserting an LED bulb up inside. This would retain the look of the originals, produce more light and put less load on the electrical system.
I understand the heat issue but believe that there shouldn't be much from the led.
I will need to create a rubber mount for the bulb to avoid breakage from shock.
The bulb number is, T36065. Simplicity # 172048.
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190604_081007.jpg
    IMG_20190604_081007.jpg
    129.7 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_20190604_081015.jpg
    IMG_20190604_081015.jpg
    147.4 KB · Views: 8
  • IMG_20190604_081029.jpg
    IMG_20190604_081029.jpg
    159.7 KB · Views: 11
  • IMG_20190517_120441.jpg
    IMG_20190517_120441.jpg
    359.2 KB · Views: 11
Here is what I have so far. The glass is tempered so a glass cutter has no effect on it. Someone suggested using a string soaked in lighter fluid, wrapped around the point that I wanted to cut the bulb. I decided that was to risky.
I ended up getting out my Dremel tool with a course grinding Stone and etch the area that I want to cut off.
After etching I gave it a light tap and it seperated. Not exactly a clean cut but acceptable. Now I am going to dress the bulb and prepare it for the L.E.D.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190605_133640.jpg
    IMG_20190605_133640.jpg
    66.5 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_20190605_133630.jpg
    IMG_20190605_133630.jpg
    90.8 KB · Views: 16
What's holding the bulbs in place now.? Just asking because you said they would need to be rubber mounted .
 
Good luck with your technique
I would install the LED bulbs that are available for the tractor until you can find a set of originals. Has to be a set out there although I have never seen that particular bulb
 
What's holding the bulbs in place now.? Just asking because you said they would need to be rubber mounted .
Originally the bulb twisted in and all the pressure was in the stem. I have several where the brass was broken loose.
I plan on making a rubber mount around the front edge taking stress off the stem.
 
Waiting on some L.E.D.s.
I found some standard 194 bulbs but it is important to get the element just at the correct point in the reflector and the 194 bulbs were not bright enough nor could I get them in the correct position.
You would think that as popular as L.E.D.s are now that they could be purchased anywhere but I had to get them on eBay.
Should have written this up.
Should have the L.E.D.s this week and get back on track.
 
Okay. Here is what I have done so far. I am using a 194 style L E.D. whatever brand you choose is okay. I went to my local parts store and picked up the bases for the bulbs to plug into.
Looking closely at the bulb you will notice a rim at the mid point. I filed this down slightly so that I can slide the L.E.D. up inside the original bulb so that it sits where the old element did to get the best reflection.
I then made a cardboard tub that fit the glass of the original bulb to act as an insulator and cushion for the stem of the bulb.
Next I will develop a new mounting system for the bulb so that all the stress is not on the stem like it was from the factory.
Here is how it looks like up. The first picture is the bulb unlit.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190625_052540.jpg
    IMG_20190625_052540.jpg
    170.6 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_20190625_052547.jpg
    IMG_20190625_052547.jpg
    80.1 KB · Views: 8
  • IMG_20190625_052557.jpg
    IMG_20190625_052557.jpg
    102.4 KB · Views: 8
  • IMG_20190625_051957.jpg
    IMG_20190625_051957.jpg
    193.9 KB · Views: 8
Finally got pictures of the lights in the dark. No moon this morning and I live far out in the country. One light is a bit yellow because it is original. I will convert it over when it goes out. Didn't have the heart to cut a working original.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190715_051257.jpg
    IMG_20190715_051257.jpg
    178.7 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_20190715_051233.jpg
    IMG_20190715_051233.jpg
    267.2 KB · Views: 10
Great idea if you got to have working light. I don't think I have one tractor that has working headlights. If I can't get it done during daylight it don't need doing. If it won't wait till tomorrow I don't have to do it.
 
Nice retrofit.
What did you do to mount it?
I had some of my wife's hair bungies that are 1/4" thick. They are the exact size of the bulb so I glued them to the outer edge of the bulb and then to the face plate.
This cushions the bulb and takes the stress off the small stem on the back.
I can remove the face plate and change out the LED's if I ever have to.
I will probably never use it after dark but I just couldn't stand them not working.
 
Back
Top