[mrbeal]

Now that fall is here it's too dark too early to cut my grass after work. If I had brighter lights I could do it..... does anyone know if there is a direct replacement bulb for my Craftsman that I can put in and have more light? I used to plow with it and the stock lights were plenty bright when it was dark BUT I was doing it in the dark with white snow which is very reflective, grass... not so much. I'm not really interested in adding lights, just replacing the stock bulbs with something brighter. Thanks in advance.

 

[Brad]

Well, MrBeal, my suggestion would be take a bulb out and stop by the local Autozone or similar auto parts store. Might be able to get a bulb that is a replacement but halogen or some similar higher output that will give you the brightness you desire.

If that works, add to this post so others might be able to do the same thing. Good Luck!

 

[Mark / Ohio]

But to add a note of caution, more light, especially a higher wattage lamp or switching to halogen from a standard incandescent could also mean a hotter bulb. Might want to do some preliminary short term testing with the new lamps to see if the surrounding enclosure or lens appears hot enough to warp, melt, or brown from radiant heat.

 

[Brad]

But to add a note of caution, more light, especially a higher wattage lamp or switching to halogen from a standard incandescent could also mean a hotter bulb. Might want to do some preliminary short term testing with the new lamps to see if the surrounding enclosure or lens appears hot enough to warp, melt, or brown from radiant heat.

Excellent advice. Might be a problem there.

 

[DrBailey]

But to add a note of caution, more light, especially a higher wattage lamp or switching to halogen from a standard incandescent could also mean a hotter bulb. Might want to do some preliminary short term testing with the new lamps to see if the surrounding enclosure or lens appears hot enough to warp, melt, or brown from radiant heat.

Mark , do you think someone might have a LED lite to fit his application? I have LED's for tail light and turn sig., they replace the 1157 bulb.
If Im thinking right,I belive that the led has less draw then a regular bulb.

 

[mrbeal]

Hmmm, good stuff to think about, thanks guys!

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Mark , do you think someone might have a LED lite to fit his application? I have LED's for tail light and turn sig., they replace the 1157 bulb.
If Im thinking right,I belive that the led has less draw then a regular bulb.

Now there is a thought! I did not think they even made actual LED headlamps but found they do and are curently in use in high end model cars.

LED headlights beam beyond premium cars - 1/22/2010 - Electronics Weekly

They do make the 1157 in white for backup lights. They show only a fraction of the current draw of incandescent bulbs.

LED Light Bulbs, Automotive, 15mm Index & SC Bayonet - LEDtronics - C65K1168

But since they direct light mainly forward and would not make use of the reflector I wonder if they would make enough light?

 

[DrBailey]

Here is a little more info, led 1157 is a two element bulb,led 1156 is a single element bulb. I usually get this kind of items from www.sourthernrods.com here is a page from there on line catalog. Southern Rods and Parts - Search Results

 

[junebug1701]

Here's a few more suppliers of automotive LED's:

http://www.v-leds.com/

Car LED Lighting, Underbody Kits, Dome Light LEDs

Super Bright LEDs ? LED Lights, Bulbs, and Accessories

 

[Mark777]

Hmmm, good stuff to think about, thanks guys!

This is the type of modification and fabrication that helps everyone thinking about adding to their own equipment.

I hope you do it...take lot's of pictures and details explaining how you did it (and, perhaps, enter it into the new contest!)

Mark