logsplitter lights ?

[squib]

is there any way to hook up lights on a gas driven hydraulic splitter. ?? using the engine for electric..

 

[Brian VT]

Great idea ! Sorry I'm no help.

 

[brad068]

is there any way to hook up lights on a gas driven hydraulic splitter. ?? using the engine for electric..

Herman, unless yours has electric start you are probably SOL. Most log splitter engines are cheap and don't have a lighting coil built into the stator. The engine mfgs figure that the rotor/stator only needs to create enough energy to create spark not to charge a battery or run a lighting circuit hence a cheaper engine to build.

You can probably get a different flywheel (rotor) and a stator (lighting coil) that will fit your engine but at what cost.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

When your engine finally dies, find one off an old snowbower that has a light attached.

Matt

 

[NoPaint]

If you think you can do this there is always the possibility of running a tiny alternator off the shaft that runs the pump. This wouldn't take much HP so as long as you've got a pretty big engine it shouldn't lug it down much. This would require a bit more work than "plug and play". You could also start reading on Honda XR/CRF dirtbike forums what they do to run lights on the smaller XR/CRF 50 and 100's because if I am not mistaken there are place that will wind your coil to make more power so then you could run the light off the stock engine too.

 

[NoPaint]

These people might be able to help. There might be a way to get more juice out of the stock coil so that you can have extra leads to run a light. Remember that if you run a light off the engine the RPM's will dictate the brightness of the light, if you run an alternator or off of a battery then the engine will be charging the battery and you would get constant lighting. Don't forget safety stuff like covering all wire, fuses, relays, and anything else thats necessary but I think you could make this work real well.

http://www.coilspecialists.com/

 

[JustWood]

How about long extension cord from house and a flood light.
Or ,if out in the boon docks,
An inverter hooked to your haul vehicle and a flood light .
Or just a spare battery to hook to some driving lights mounted on splitter.
These optons are prolly cheaper and have other uses besides wood splitter lighting.

 

[NoPaint]

But its soo much cooler running it off the engine ;-P

 

[Corey]

Could be done, but won't be easy if you don't already have a 12V system/electric start. You could always wind your own charging coils or weld on an additional pulley to drive an alternator, but either is a lot of hassle. Other option might be to wire up some LED work lights. Those things will run for hours on a couple of small batteries. I've also got a fluorescent lantern - used it on and off for so long, I forgot when I last put batteries in it.

I know batteries would certainly last as long as I'd ever want to split wood after dark this time of year...couple of minutes would do it for me!

 

[Tudorman]

Running some lights off the splitter would be way cool, but a simpler solution would be to use a few 12v LED lights and a car battery. The LED's draw little power and car (or marine) battery would probably last a least several hours before needed charged. I found these on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TEN-12-Volt-1-8...oryZ3240QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You could mount the battery and an improvised light mast to your splitter, but the vibration might shorten the lamp's life.

 

[LLigetfa]

A solar panel and a battery will do it.

 

[Jamess67]

I would suggest grabbing your favorite beverage and shutting the thing off and go enjoy the warmth of the wood you have split. Seriously I would like to do the same light mod. So I watching closely also.

 

[squib]

thank you all for your comments & suggestions.

i do not have a gas hydraulic splitter yet that was going to be my next question, what brand , h.p. & etc. i want to get a splitter but am

taking my time in getting one, want to try to do it right the first time.

suggestions or recommendations on what brand & features of splitter. ?? i want to get a furnace & heat solely with wood.

thank you in advance .

sounds like the led`s & a deep cycle battery might be the way to go for lighting....

 

[JustWood]

If you haven't bought your splitter yet make sure you get one with electric start. Then you can easily hook up lights.

 

[NoPaint]

Thats the best advice to go off of if you are waiting to purchase. All the non-Chinese ones seem good to me. I wouldn't touch anything from Harbor Freight for quality and principle reasons but the others seem to be excellent options. I would say buy a new one and know that it was taken good care of from the beginning. Try out a local mom and pop shop as they usually can cut good deals and have the best service. Best of luck!

 

[Valhalla]

Solar lights are a good idea. Except you have to park it in the sun.

I would attach a small alternator, with self contained regulator to run off an accessory pulley or drive. Should be simple job to add one. I did the same on old tractor. It works like a charm. Pick up a good used small alternator cheap.