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Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
So, I've got an old 555 that starts instantly, runs great, and all of the mechanical features work as they should.
However, the entire electrical system was abandoned many years ago by a previous owner. The only electrical thing that functions is the starter. I just keep the battery topped off with a maintainer when the machine is parked. Now I could spend countless dollars and countless hours repairing or replacing the wiring loom, or I could do a little hillbilly engineering.
My solution? A $180 generator from Tractor Supply, and a couple of work lights that I already had. I just needed to mount the lights, and strap the generator to the fender.
Works great, but I can't run both lights at the same time as the generator is only rated for 800 watts continuous. 20211217_061651.jpg 20211217_061556.jpg 20211217_061527.jpg
 

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Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
That would be great, but I am pretty sure that the alternator is belly up.
When I was taking the machine apart a couple of years ago to repair the transmission, the nut that holds the main hot wire on the alternator was so rusted that the post spun around rather than the nut coming loose. I never did get the nut off, and finally ended up just cutting the wire.
JL Sargent said:
Looks like it works! If you were near me and the alternator in that machine works, I would come over and help you wire lights to a dash switch powered by the alternator.
Click to expand...
 
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Jonas302

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
1,198
Location
mn
You were able to get your work done in the dark thats the main thing

Now you will be dreaming of enclosing the cab and using the genny to run a window ac unit........
 
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Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
Jonas302 said:
You were able to get your work done in the dark thats the main thing

Now you will be dreaming of enclosing the cab and using the genny to run a window ac unit........
Click to expand...

Now don't go giving me ideas! Lol

In all seriousness, I am a very early riser, and it drives me crazy to sit around the house waiting for daylight so I can do stuff.

Ever tried to drive a backhoe by flashlight?
 
skyking1

skyking1

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Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,621
Location
washington
Yeah I have. It wasn't a backhoe but but JD 350 crawler loader. We were up in the woods way too late in deep snow putting in our thank you ma'ams so we wouldn't be fined by the Forest service for creating creeks. No work lights on the dozer so my brother was out there with the old-fashioned square battery flashlights. They were state of the art in 1980 :)
 
ChuckRock

ChuckRock

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
58
Location
Western USA
I am a sucker for Milwaukee 18V tooling. They have some incredibly impressive work light solutions - almost impressive as this solution. All of which can be purchased from ACME tool :D
 
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Delmer

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
8,887
Location
WI
If you don't like fixing rusted old alternators, then look up one wire alternators. You only hook up that fat wire, it turns on automatically, and you have a battery that stays charged.
 
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Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
Delmer said:
If you don't like fixing rusted old alternators, then look up one wire alternators. You only hook up that fat wire, it turns on automatically, and you have a battery that stays charged.
Click to expand...

Let's not bring logic into this thread, ok?
But yes, that would probably be the way to go.
However, with this generator I have 120v power to run small power tools.
 
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Check Break

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
469
Location
USA
The OEM harness(s) is/are pretty involved (there's a guy in NY who wants $1,300 to build one) but you don't need half of the OEM wiring to obtain a working electrical system. Is there anything left of your wiring harness or is it all gone. You don't need turn signals and a dozen fuses. Your dump valve isn't hooked up and probably never will be. A front and rear harness for a 4000 is cheap and should do just about everything you need, whether you build it or buy it. There's plenty of online help in the build it yourself category. Try the Ford Forum on Yesterday's Tractors for a diagram. Handles the alternator, starter and sending units, battery and instrument cluster but it won't provide heat like your generator's exhaust. After that you can pull power off your key switch and build a wiring harness to power a LED lighting package.
 
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Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
Yeah, there are a lot of things I could do to improve my machine, but I just honestly don't have the time to devote to it. And, like I said, it runs and operates well as it is. It is an old obsolete machine that likely has a bazillion hours on it, and is one major breakdown from the scrap yard. Even if I did have the time and money to make it really nice, I would still have a 40+ year old machine that would be worth very little more than it is worth now.
My new chinaman generator was a quick and relatively inexpensive way to get some functioning lights, and a tiny 30 pound generator can be mighty handy for other stuff.

I mostly started this thread because I figured people would get a chuckle out of it. :)
 
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Check Break

Senior Member
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Jan 21, 2012
Messages
469
Location
USA
Yes. Your contraption did give me a laugh. I hate to tell you this but it will still be running when you and I are being fitted for wheelchairs and long after the CAT and JD successors' electronics have failed.
 
skyking1

skyking1

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Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,621
Location
washington
Clawed Backster said:
Yeah, there are a lot of things I could do to improve my machine, but I just honestly don't have the time to devote to it. And, like I said, it runs and operates well as it is. It is an old obsolete machine that likely has a bazillion hours on it, and is one major breakdown from the scrap yard. Even if I did have the time and money to make it really nice, I would still have a 40+ year old machine that would be worth very little more than it is worth now.
My new chinaman generator was a quick and relatively inexpensive way to get some functioning lights, and a tiny 30 pound generator can be mighty handy for other stuff.

I mostly started this thread because I figured people would get a chuckle out of it. :)
Click to expand...
i've got a forklift like that. blown side shift hose, probably 350 to replace. you learn to not touch the side shift lever. Brakes? not so much. Keep it on flat ground.
 
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Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
Vetech63 said:
OMG....My OCD is off the charts right now LOL. I can't watch this!:eek:
Click to expand...
Oh you'd LOVE how I start my backhoe!
I have a wire with an alligator clip on the end of it that I touch to the positive terminal on the battery. That's the way I got it, and I have never bothered to wire it through the start button.
And yeah, even though it is hot wired, I know that it was not stolen.
I keep telling myself I am going to wire it through the button one of these days, but I never seem to get around to it.
 
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edgephoto

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
733
Location
Stafford, CT
Vetech63 said:
OMG....My OCD is off the charts right now LOL. I can't watch this!:eek:
Click to expand...

I am with you. I can't own anything that is not working as intended.

I bought my backhoe 10/2019. I have not used it for any work yet. Been fixing everything on it and doing all the extra repairs that a 30 year old machine needs.

We bought land to build a house and since materials and labor are an issue we are holding off a bit. Also need to see where inflation takes us. I decided to to just make my machine 100%. between other things, hot weather, bad weather, below 35 deg weather I have not worked on it as much as I need to.
 
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