12 Volt Conversion Tip

John Deere uses the same type of setup, part # 57M7326, @ $3.73. They plug into an the main fuse blocks on some of the newer tractors.

The ratings are 3 Amps, 600 Volts, not TOO shabby.

Of course, my "old standby" 1N5408's, @ about $0.50, aren't too bad, either.

Soundguy

My two cents.

Hec

Also.. using some small crimp on connectors on a diode is easy.. thus no soldering is needed.

However.. a blade socketed diode is a decent thing to have a number wrote down to. I wonder how many dollars or tens of dollars that 'assembly' is costing??

Soundguy

Oh, and I don't know if they last longer for you, but I worked on my sisters car a few weeks ago and found two blown dash light bulbs and two marker lights out. All the common 194's. The car is only a few years old and has a tick over 50K miles on it. I'm not impressed by their longevity and think their life would be shortened considerably in the vibration encountered on a tractor versus nestled in the dash or fender of a car with fully independent suspension and rubber powertrain mounts.

Regardless, I was only trying to help.

It's been my exp that lamps that are 'dimmed' do not last as long as lamps run at intended brightness.

I have no empirical data to back this up.. just observation. Every dash lamp I've ever replaced was one that was ont he dash dimming circuit. I've only had to replace a few 194 marker lamps in the same time period where i have seenmultiple dash / dimmed lamp failures.

I would tend to agree with you on the vibration / harsh env issue.

oNE THING ONT HE EXCITER LAMP THOUGH.. IT'S UPTIME IS VERY SHORT, ASSUMING THE ALT WORKS. tHAT IS.. THE LAMP IS ONLY ON UNTIL THE ALTERNATOR STARTS CHARGING.. THEN CURRENT FLOW VIRTUALLY STOPS ( capslock.. darnit.. I hate this micro keyboard..) Anyway.. once the alt is charging.. lamp is out due to the voltage potentials being near identical on both legs... Vs a lamp in a car that probably sees quite a bit of 'up' time, and power cycles, vs a tractor. I generally start my tractor once per day.. and use it.. then put it up. i start my vehicle -many- times per day.. those power cycles I think decrease the life of the lamp far more than anything short of abusive handling.. etc.

I didn't mean to imple that your idea wasn't a suitable alternative, or didn't have merit. It just that I see the average non electrically inclined person as being equally 'afriad' of the automotive application diode as a store bought radio shack one.. and the issue of orientation.. Vs just buying a lamp bulb at walmart for 84 cents for a 2-pack and wireing them in.

By and far, most of the wire jobs I see on tractors makes me think that people should be required to have a license to own a set of dykes.

The average 'shade tree' mechanic is dangerous with a set of wre cutters....

The other 'plus' for a lamp is that you have a visual indicator of whether the alt is charging... I fhte lamp is lit.. it's a good sign that the battery is not charging. of course.. most people don't pay attention to their ammeter, ( or voltmeter) anyway.. i don't see them paying attention to a lamp much either...

As I said in my prev post.. i think you should go ahead and post the # of the diode.. there will undoubtly be people that would rather use a blade connector vs a crimp or solder connector on a barrel packaged diode.. etc.

Soundguy

Hope you have a better day. I've had some stressfull ones lately too. Too much work and not enough daylight ( or sleep ) to go around.

have a good one.

Soundguy

Looks like you are the one 'cutting' with your remarks.

I think I'll move along now and vist on some other boards.

Perhaps you can answer the inane electrical questions that get posed here day to day since I'll not touch them from now on.

Soundguy

Have a good day ( night? ) It's 9pm est here.

Soundguy