Posted: 8/8/2025 11:01:39 AM EDT
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I just finished up doing warning flashers for the Z930M & figured I might as well do a lightbar. Unlike the flashers, the 120 watt lightbar will be run from a relay & a seperate, fused, battery connection. The switch controlling the relay will be supplied from the same key switched power source as the flashers so the key has to be "on" for the lightbar to be on. I chose a 22" flood/spot combo lightbar with the intent of using a magnetic mount. The lightbar has a gentle curve. The magnets I used are some 36mmx7mm cup magnets with a claimed straight pull grip of 150lb. I'm using 3 on each mount. I just finished a test fitting to check positioning and retention. It looks good so far, but I'm still going to do a bit of revision. This is what the test fitting looked like. No electrical connections yet. The magnet sid of the mounts. Attached File Mount attachment to lightbar. Attached File Placement, roughly centered & above the warning flashers. Attached File Electrical connections still getting laid out. |
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Finished up today. The new lightbar switch beside the flashers switch Attached File I redrew the supports to better accomodate the lightbar curve. I used a cylinder profile & slotted opening for the M8 mounting bolt. Attached File In this case I used a direct battery connection for the lightbar feed via relay. I checked the current draw at 13.8v & it was about 6A. The fuse holder has a 10A fuse. Power leads were 14awg copper. Attached File The rat's nest before a bit of organization & connection covering. The small oval shows where I "twinned" the positive & negative switched power leads to service both switches rather than just the flasher switch. Rather than cut & solder, I just made up some adapters with crimped spade connectors. The large oval shows the connections to the lightbar feed line. The extra, small, lead on the ground line connects to the relay control line. It is hard to make out, but the relay is attached to the cover wall with servo tape. Attached File No night pics yet. Attached File The spot portion of the lightbars shows pretty well, but the floods to either side are too washed out to see in daylight. If you want to print a set of mounts, I put files on Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/1381910-magnetic-mount-for-lightbar-on-commercial-ztrak-mo |
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OK, some more pics buttons on/off with switch on Attached File Attached File Lightbar on at twilight Attached File Attached File video walk around with flashers & lighbar lit  Z930m with flashers and lightbar lit |
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Very nice. Any issues with the magnets holding with the vibration of the mower? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Nothing noted yet. They grip pretty tight, you have to break them loose by prying/tilting before you can adjust their position. I use magnet mounts on my tractor mirrors. They don't move unless knocked off by a limb (& I have a leash on them JIC). |