Thread: Improving Ride-on mower lights

Originally Posted by oka374

I don't have a B & S motor on mine anymore, fitted a Chinese honda. I just hooked the lights across the battery with a switch and fuse and let the charging system sort it out which would work in your case too.
As others have said a couple of small LED worklights or even a small LED lightbar would work fine

A Chonda for mine is on the ever increasing to do list.

I'm not sure of this 'special alternator' system that the BS people talk of, I'm not aware of vertcial shaft twins that use an alternator system. I know of horizontal shaft twins that can have them, but not common.

Maybe your MTD is 20 years newer than my 2000's MTD, but my lights are connected to the battery, and not some pseudo alternator system.

I"d love to see this 'alternator' set up on your rideon tho.

Question: do the lights come on with just ignition on, or even no ignition? If so, then you have a std wired light setup just like mine is.
I fitted LEDs, not so much for better light, I don't really use them. I fitted LEDs more so that they draw much less current, and hence battery charges better IF the lights are set to on whilst in use.

If memory serves me correctly the light fittings, that is the plastic 'bayonet' that holds the std BAY15S bulbs are the same as the white fittings used on D1 indicators too. (I'll have to double check to confirm).

Mind you tho, my MTD is early 2000s(I think 2002 model, but can't remember).

What model MTD is it?

There is often a stator under the flywheel. How else does the mower keep the battery charged?
Small engine charging system, battery, and alternator | Briggs & Stratton

Ah! I see.

I have the parts book for many (earlier)MTDs. none show any alternators in the wiring diagrams. doesn't mean they don't exist, just not shown in these diagrams.
In fact diagrams are next to useless, as they are very hard to discern which wire goes exactly where.
Then again, the diagrams doesn't exactly show a starter motor either, and I know it's there. It only shows a solenoid, which I assume can only be for the starter(otherwise what for).

At least for mine the diagram does show a mess of some use(to me).

The diagram for the Intek twin ... 90% of it makes no sense.

I just checked my larger Husqvarna Rider mower, it came with headlights from the factory and they are wired through the ignition switch direct from the battery, not involved with the charging system at all. The originals were 20w MR?? globes and I just bought LED replacements. That mower is fitted with a Kawasaki V twin 15.5 hp and is a very nice motor.
The 21 year old smaller Rider had a 12.5hp sidevalve B & S which was pretty tired so as I mentioned before has been replaced with a Chonda 16hp OHV which vastly improved performannce. It was the smallest I could get with an oil filter but was a bolt on replacement, the base was fitted with mounting points for both honda and B & S.

Originally Posted by oka374

I just checked my larger Husqvarna Rider mower, it came with headlights from the factory and they are wired through the ignition switch direct from the battery, not involved with the charging system at all. The originals were 20w MR?? globes and I just bought LED replacements. That mower is fitted with a Kawasaki V twin 15.5 hp and is a very nice motor.

Exactly what I would have expected. My old Rover is the same, but there is really no need for it to be different, as long as the battery is being charged. These mowers are lower tech than an FJ Holden, except of course the FJ had a generator. Oh, and the Holden did not have the verdammt hydrostatic drive.

Originally Posted by oka374

The 21 year old smaller Rider had a 12.5hp sidevalve B & S which was pretty tired so as I mentioned before has been replaced with a Chonda 16hp OHV which vastly improved performannce. It was the smallest I could get with an oil filter but was a bolt on replacement, the base was fitted with mounting points for both honda and B & S.

With electric start? I reckon the 16 horse would be fine for my Rover, which is currently garden art due to the B&S self destructing. It doesn't need 22HP here. I think I'll look out for one. Even though I'm still thinking of moving, the grass doesn't care. After all this rain we've had, a few days of sun and Indiana Jones would struggle to find my back fence.

Originally Posted by AK83

The diagram for the Intek twin ... 90% of it makes no sense.

That doesn't only apply to the diagram, if my experience with them is any guide. Never again. NEVER, I say!