Author	[Modern View]
Brad Buchanan 11-15-2012 15:58:28 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Hey everybody. I did a small project on a lawn tractor that has been mostly relegated to snowblowing sidewalks and driveways. The small Honda never had sufficient lighting for working at night (and in town) so I am going to add more lighting and so wanted a bit more battery to do that job. I scrounged the boneyard and was able to get everything I needed (except the bolts) from used material. I had a piece of 3/8" x 4" aluminum angle and split it near the web for the supports and the rest is old signs and frames. I ran the positive battery cable from the engine compartment down the frame channel to the rear mounted deep cycle battery. It will be interesting to see how the aluminum (and my welds) hold up to supporting the 80lb. battery with the bouncing and vibration. As always feedback is welcome...Positive or negative! Brad [Reply]   [No Email]
JOHNNYfromMI 11-17-2012 06:13:25 74.115.62.95 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-15-2012 15:58:28   Is your charging system going to be able to produce the amount of energy that the lights draw? If not then as you use the lights the battery will become discharged. 80 pound battery? thats a big one. [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 08:54:53 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to JOHNNYfromMI, 11-17-2012 06:13:25   Good Question Jonny. This tractor is designed to operate with what you could call a PCM. The unit barfed a lung a couple years ago and I wired around it. The engine runs off of a magneto and I wired the ignition to control the electric fuel pump only. The battery I installed should easily run the lights for 2 hours and will be charged in the shop between runs. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 11-17-2012 08:12:00 75.238.58.78 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to JOHNNYfromMI, 11-17-2012 06:13:25   I think that's why he went with a rear-mounted deep-cycle battery. [Reply]  [No Email]
petermiddletn 11-17-2012 04:45:23 67.142.174.26 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-15-2012 15:58:28   Does the wife know you have the snowblower in the living room? nice work. [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 08:57:34 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to petermiddletn, 11-17-2012 04:45:23   Thanks, Pete. My wife has MS and sometimes needs to rest so I put a comfy chair in the shop so she could hang out with me. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
GUIDO 11-16-2012 15:19:06 71.168.195.106 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-15-2012 15:58:28   Hello Brad Buchanan, Nice set-up. Your lights are powered by the alternator. It has 2 circuits, one for the battery and one for the lights. The light circuit is usually unregulated A/C output. I guess you are going to use 12vdc lights. Your alternator charging two batteries may not be enough, but you'll find out when you use it. Adding the batttery means you want to use the lights for a long period of time. You may look into led's.Plenty bright, and very little power consumption. Guido. [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 09:01:42 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to GUIDO, 11-16-2012 15:19:06   Thanks Guido. I actually eliminated the stock battery. It was at the end of its life and in any case would not handle the load of the lights that I want. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
GUIDO 11-17-2012 18:20:12 71.168.195.106 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-17-2012 09:01:42   Hello Brad Buchanan, Now you need to fit an automotine alternator, so the battery will get a decent charge rate. Then............ you can push snow all day! Guido. [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 11-15-2012 17:35:56 96.244.157.254 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-15-2012 15:58:28   Not tryin to be a naysayer, but 1. Aluminum is easily eaten away by battery acid. 2. Lawnmower charging systems are not designed for much of a heavy load. Putting big lights will drain the battery perhaps faster than the charging system can replenish. Put the battery on a float charger, after you are done using it hard, and it might not fry the charging system. Just my humble opinion, don't shoot the messenger. 3. That is some nice aluminum welding! [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 09:17:14 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Diydave, 11-15-2012 17:35:56   Hey Dave. Thanks for the kind words. I put the battery in a plastic holder to try to minimize the corrosion issue. These units have a pretty robust charging system however due to the problems listed above it is not in operation. I may take some time and wire a diode into the charging coils to remedy that. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
Olddog 11-16-2012 02:14:17 24.229.174.61 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Diydave, 11-15-2012 17:35:56   Also you might check, many of the smaller lawn tractors don't use the battery for lights AT ALL! The lights are AC and run directly off the mag with the engine running (only). You got 'er back there where it's gunna help the traction, however. [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 09:23:38 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Olddog, 11-16-2012 02:14:17   hey Olddog! The weight issue was a factor when I decided to build this bracket. Has a 42" two stage blower and has plenty of power to swing it but could have used a bit more traction. Chains, loaded tires and this weight hanging off the back should be much better. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
Justin SE IOWA 11-15-2012 17:22:30 166.182.3.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-15-2012 15:58:28   Looks kinda awesome to me [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 09:25:14 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Justin SE IOWA, 11-15-2012 17:22:30   Thanks, Justin. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
showcrop 11-15-2012 17:03:20 75.67.231.80 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to ss55, 11-15-2012 15:58:28   That's some real nice looking work. You should post on the pulling forum. I'll bet you'll get inquiries about getting stuff built. [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 09:30:37 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to showcrop, 11-15-2012 17:03:20   Thanks Shocrop! I really enjoy fabricating and pretty much do it for family and friends along with myself. Have to think about that. In some ways I think of the YT people as friends. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 11-17-2012 09:32:31 74.71.185.165 Report to Moderator	Re: Aluminum battery bracket (pics) in reply to Brad Buchanan, 11-17-2012 09:30:37   Sorry, dropped the W! Brad [Reply]  [No Email]