Snowblower Lighting Setup?

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562) 01/14/2016 at 10:02 • Filed to: SNOWBLOWER, LIGHTS, LIGHTING

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Hey guys, you have any insight on how I can add on a nice LED light to my snowblower? I have one like this:

It’s a Craftsman 21" that is single stage. I just don’t know how to incorporate anything because the only electrical involved is the spark plug wire. Am I stuck going Battery powered?

I don’t want to have an exposed battery on it because of the snow involved.

Basically I’m always snowblowing in the morning when it’s dark or at night when it’s dark, really rare it’s light out. Would be crazy helpful to have a light on this damn thing.

What do you guys think?

atrombs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:04

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crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:06

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Figure out some way to attach a few onto the front

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > atrombs 01/14/2016 at 10:07

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well that’s no fun

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly 01/14/2016 at 10:08

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hahaha

Pixel > atrombs 01/14/2016 at 10:09

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This is a really good solution. Light exactly where you are looking, not wherever the snowblower is pointing, high enough up to not be pointed at the snow drift or blowing snow, and a useful light elsewhen during the year when you aren’t snow blowing.

atrombs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:10

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Lights up the corner before you take it! It’ll basically be like you’re driving a high end car with the cornering head lights!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > atrombs 01/14/2016 at 10:13

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Yeah I can’t stand “head” lights though. Especially with mixing in a hood and or hat depending on temperatures.

coelacanthist > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:14

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Need to find out if your engine has a stator system. Do you have any model information off the engine?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > coelacanthist 01/14/2016 at 10:16

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Should be a 4 hp 4-cycle Briggs & Stratton. EDIT I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. I can check it tonight.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > atrombs 01/14/2016 at 10:17

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Nailed it. I don’t always blow snow in the dark, but when I do I use a headlamp.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:19

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I would craft a holder for a spotlight out of PVC piping, gorilla tape (too wet for duct tape) and zip-ties.

Or get some rechargeable bike lights, they’ll mount to the round bars, or you can hard mount them to the side of the machine. They’re typically designed to be weatherproof, or at least significantly weather resistant.

Or put spots under the eaves of your house that light the driveway completely. Bonus here being that you can use them year-round for security and such.

Transit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:19

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Anything that’s designed for snow throwers is going to require an alternator like you get on the fancy 2-stage models. You’ll need to homebrew something like mounting one of these and keeping the battery recharged:

http://www.amazon.com/1800Lumens-Spo…

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Transit 01/14/2016 at 10:21

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Hmm that’s a clever idea.

I’ve also just realized I could probable get a bike light to clip onto the handle.

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:23

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I literally just talked about this with my coworker. I’m thinking of using the battery from my riding lawn more on the back to power a pair of lights. Also get ones that are amber in color versus white if you go LED, they don’t reflect off the snow as much

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 10:24

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oh that’s a great thought about the amber lighting.

mine isn’t self propelled so I don’t want to add TOO much weight.

I’m leaning towards bicycle lights right now because I have the cross bar handle.

coelacanthist > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:24

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If it’s a Briggs, look for a series of numbers and letters stamped into metal somewhere on the engine. These can be used to locate the specific parts diagrams. I source small engine and outdoor power parts for a living. If you can send the model info for both the engine and snow thrower itself, I would be happy to see if we can figure something out.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > coelacanthist 01/14/2016 at 10:27

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someone else commented I’d need some kind of an alternator on it to be able to run off the engine power, that would be true wouldn’t it?

I may have to go with something like a bike handle bar light, it’d be battery powered and can mount on the crossbar.

Thoughts?

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:27

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Think I just found mine. Scroll to the bottom some people have posted pictures of how well they work too

http://www.amazon.com/KAWELL%C2%AE-9…

coelacanthist > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:30

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The bike light will be easier no doubt. Check out this video, it explains the situation pretty well.

McMike > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:32

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Bicycle headlamps.

Some of them are pretty bright, and come with a recharagble battery pack that you can attach to handlebars/head tube.

http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Eyes-12…

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > coelacanthist 01/14/2016 at 10:37

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That was a great video thanks man.

I’ll check for that external ignition module tonight. if it doesn’t have one, I guess I’m buying a bike light. Even if it has one that might be the easiest solution still. Would be a lot cooler to not have to recharge a battery though.

atrombs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:41

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Oh yeah I didn’t think about that. I’ve used them over hoods for camping and it’s pretty awkward.

coelacanthist > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:44

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Even if it doesn't have that lead, there may be a very similar engine that does have a stator you could swap from. Thats why I was curious as to the model info.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > McMike 01/14/2016 at 10:48

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Yeah it’s looking like that’s the best plan giving my handlebar that’s on it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > atrombs 01/14/2016 at 10:49

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Yeah and when I have a hood it’s my big snow coat’s hood. And possible a hooded sweatshirt under that and possibly a hat on as well lol

When it gets down to a -20 windchill next month you layer the F up

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > coelacanthist 01/14/2016 at 10:50

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oh ok.

Yeah I’ll let you know when I find out tonight. Thanks again for your help.

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 10:52

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Just ordered the Kawell from amazon, went with the 7.5” for $20

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 11:08

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That looks awesome for you. I don’t know if I’ll be able to power that though

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 11:10

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My hope is the battery will be able to power it long enough without dying on me. So after I do my driveway I put it back on the trickle charger until I need it again

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 11:15

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Yeah I don’t want to pull the mower battery for it. I don’t think I have room on my little blower for that battery anyhow, plus the added weight - don’t forget it’s wheels aren’t powered. I’m old school push power.

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 11:18

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Our friends lived near Traverse City, retired and moved to Florida. This was their snowblower (it’s 22 years old) and gave it to me as a house warming gift.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 11:23

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nice definitely need one of those up by TC.

I’m down in Metro Detroit (Canton). Last year I felt I needed one that big, but I don’t have nearly enough property (driveway/sidewalk) to bother with that size.

Also this one was free too haha. My wife’s Grandma bought it probably around 2005, used it for one year, then put it in the shed and never used it again because my wife’s uncle started taking care of her snow with his plow so she didn’t get injured. When we bought our first house she said happy house warming, he’s a free older slightly wimpy barely used snowblower - enjoy.

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 11:28

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Yep grew up in Plymouth so i know the area well.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 11:30

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oh nice. Where are you now?

I just used mine for the first time this winter 2 nights ago and I was like, why the F don’t I have a light on this thing?

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 11:31

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Clarkston, in the snow belt with a nice long driveway and snow drifts that pile up. I want to go the light route because the other day I was snowblowing and at the end of the driveway I don’t think cars could see me very well. Little bit of added safety

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 11:33

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yeah that’s no good. I had that thought the other night too as a car went by slowly, if my sensor garage light wasn’t on he probably wouldn’t have known I was out there (and I swear that bastard only turns on when I’m not in front of it. It’s an evil son of a bitch - oh did you just finish taking out the trash and are heading back in? BOOM turns on)

WillyJimmy > 450X_FTW 01/14/2016 at 13:26

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+1 for the cup holder.

WillyJimmy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 13:27

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You ever think about just turning the outside house lights on? Not judging, just asking.

450X_FTW > WillyJimmy 01/14/2016 at 13:30

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Babies R Us. Think it was $12, made for a stroller

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WillyJimmy 01/14/2016 at 14:01

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Outside house lights are sensor only and one of them - i swear to god - fucking hates me. It’s thought process is something along the lines of “oh did the homeowner just finish out here? BETTER TURN ON FINALLY” it’s evil.

And thats only over the driveway, side of the house doesn’t really shine far enough to the side sidewalk and there aren’t any house lights on the other side. I have a weird corner lot:

So, inside the Red is my property, not much driveway but a shitload of sidewalk and sometimes I help out the neighbors and go all the way to their driveways. The blue dots are all the house lights. Driveway (up until about the sidewalk edge) is well lit depending on whether the bastard light turns on or not.

The rest are pretty much a crap shoot as that one side light doesn’t throw much light. I could upgrade it, but it’s also a sensor and frankly I never need it on. The other side has ZERO lights

It’s looking like a bike light is going to be a super easy and cost effective solution.

Also, I know you weren’t judging or trying to be a an ass, I probably would have asked the same question. In my old house I used this snow blower for 5 winters without needing a light because it was well lit.

WillyJimmy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/14/2016 at 14:46

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I noticed you didn’t mark your alarm’s sensor locations. Can you repost? Put them in red or something so it’s easier to identify. And also, can you zoom out a little so I can plan a clean route to and from the house?

PS. Do you have any pets?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WillyJimmy 01/14/2016 at 14:53

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Hahahahaha, come at me bro

Alarms are for bitches - i play on hard mode

And yes I have a German Shephard/American Staffordshire Terrier mix. He is not locked up.

lol

There’s a reason I blurred the street names

WillyJimmy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/15/2016 at 09:33

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Ok, you get a pass next Christmas. Lol!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WillyJimmy 01/19/2016 at 15:11

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Hahahahaha,just stop by and knock, he’ll great you...then you can come in for a beer lol

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW 02/26/2016 at 10:18

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Finally used my light:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/so-fancy-17614…

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > McMike 02/26/2016 at 10:18

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your bike lamp idea did the trick:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/so-fancy-17614…