Energy Saving Headlights for Garden Tractors

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Author: Lance Winslow

Article source: http://www.jpservicez-searcharticles.com/. Used with author's permission.

Can we develop a lighting system for the average garden tractor to save energy, one which would not draw juice from the battery or alternator? We all know how bumpy it is to ride on a ride-on lawnmower. I propose that we use the bumpy-ness of the ride while mowing to power up the headlights of all garden tractors, this will help in fuel savings, meaning fewer trips to the gas station.

Gasoline and Diesel fuel have seen sharp increases, in the last few years in our nation and it is costs our economy billions. Everything we can do to save fuel makes sense now, even in a garden tractor. And we know if we cannot take as many road trips we will be spending more time at home and thus be more cognizant of the needs to maintain our homesteads. The bumps while driving your garden tractor along with the rumble of the engine and spinning blades can power up the headlights using electromagnetic induction technology to charge a capacitor instead of the headlights working off a battery or alternator.

Currently there are some nifty micro-flashlights being used which you can buy which use a similar technique and are available thanks to the Everlite Flashlight technology research lab. These smaller flashlights work by shaking them for about thirty seconds and shine for about 6 minutes and they shine quite bright since they use a very bright LED light. Here is a link to this home use flashlight:

http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/ee_shakelight.html

Here is a quick movie you can watch online to see how this technology works.

http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/movies/ee_forever.MPG

I propose we use the engine rumble to light the dashboard lights and tractor lights. Generally you have to wait thirty seconds for the engine's oil pressure to come up anyway. This does not mean that the headlights would not be hooked up to a battery, only that you would not be asking for any juice, thus the alternator does not have as much drag on the engine and saves fuel consumption. Once the engine comes up to oil pressure the tractor can then drive and each bump in the grass keeps the lights running. If they get too dim from driving on the driveway where it is too smooth and the PTO is off, then the system would revert back to the battery. Perhaps this is a good way to save fuel? Think on this.