Tractor work light...which wire is negative?
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Fleet Mechanic
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Tractor work light...which wire is negative?
I need to install it, but there are no directions. Both wires are black. The only difference is that one wire has printing on it, like its size. How can i tell which is positive and which is negative?
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Fleet Mechanic
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Its an Agribrite light, made by JW SPEAKER. its model 900. It has a ground wire and a positive wire, but i have no idea which is what. BOTH wires are black. I guess ill have to take it apart. I can't believe they arent labeled better than that. Maybe it doesnt matter which is what?
Last edited by ag-ford-4x4; Feb 22, 2007 at 05:31 PM.
Postmaster
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Incadescent bulbs are not polarized. Doesn't matter what direction they hook up.
The fact that these wires are not color coded indicates to me it doesn't matter which way they hook up.
If it's an led setup or some other type of light that must be polarized, then I don't know.
The fact that these wires are not color coded indicates to me it doesn't matter which way they hook up.
If it's an led setup or some other type of light that must be polarized, then I don't know.
Posting Guru
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From: In a hole
Originally Posted by 76supercab2
Incadescent bulbs are not polarized. Doesn't matter what direction they hook up.
The fact that these wires are not color coded indicates to me it doesn't matter which way they hook up.
If it's an led setup or some other type of light that must be polarized, then I don't know.
The fact that these wires are not color coded indicates to me it doesn't matter which way they hook up.
If it's an led setup or some other type of light that must be polarized, then I don't know.
what he said
Posting Guru
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From: charlotte nc
If the tractor is an old 9n it has a positive ground system. As far as which wire goes where, It makes no differance as long as the current is entering on one wire and grounded with the other wire to complete the circuit.
Logistics Pro
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From: Southern MD
Generally. . . it doesn't make any difference.
However. . . check the wiring, itself.
Look to see if there is a 'rib' on one of the wires (insulation). If so, this typically, is the ground wire.
Or. . . look at the wire. Is one copper (or brass) colored and the other silver (tinned)?
The silver or 'tinned' wire would usually be ground.
However. . . check the wiring, itself.
Look to see if there is a 'rib' on one of the wires (insulation). If so, this typically, is the ground wire.
Or. . . look at the wire. Is one copper (or brass) colored and the other silver (tinned)?
The silver or 'tinned' wire would usually be ground.
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Fleet Mechanic
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This is a 2004 tractor, the light is brand new. There is no ribbing on it, but there IS printing, like gauge, etc. It has a push button switch, so i am thinking it is not polarized as you guys said. Its just a halogen light.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by ag-ford-4x4; Feb 23, 2007 at 09:07 AM.
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i ain't rite
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
if you have a ohm meter, put one lead to a wire, and the other to the mount and check for continuity. then do the other side. this will tell you if one of the wires is grounded to the mount. if there is not a grounded wire, it can be hooked up either way.
Postmaster
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HOLD ON!! Any chance this bulb has two elements? (High beam, Low beam?) If it does then the two wires both go to +12 and the light grounds through the case. Best to get an ohm meter and check it out.
Measure between both wires and the case of the lamp assembly. If the circuit is open, then one wire to + and the other to -. If you get a resistance reading between the wires and the case, it might be a two filament bulb grounded to the case.
I still think it's probably a single filament and the wires don't matter. Connect one to the frame of the tractor and the other to + (or - if it's a + ground system)
Measure between both wires and the case of the lamp assembly. If the circuit is open, then one wire to + and the other to -. If you get a resistance reading between the wires and the case, it might be a two filament bulb grounded to the case.
I still think it's probably a single filament and the wires don't matter. Connect one to the frame of the tractor and the other to + (or - if it's a + ground system)
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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IMO, The reason it has 2 wires is because of the possibility of water getting involved.
Like boat trailer lighting, it is considered a marine application and needs to be grounded directly. not through the case or mount.
Like boat trailer lighting, it is considered a marine application and needs to be grounded directly. not through the case or mount.
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