Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Well, I just purchased a Ariens 926LE for $630. It was a toss-up between that and the 11hp model with handwarmers and remote differential. BUT, it was a $200+ difference, so I went with a little inconvenience.

My question is about the electrical system on these machines. The 11hp and 13hp power both a light and hand-warmers, whereas the 9hp doesn't have handwarmers. I know that the warmers are not an Ariens accessory option, but if the 9hp electrical system can handle it, I want to wire in a pair of electric gloves that I own.

Does anyone know what kind of power the warmers draw or if the system can handle adding this in?  My gloves are 12VDC and draw 22 watts.

Thanks for the great site!

That's a very good idea. I did a little more research, and the bulb is rated to draw about 24 watts. Here's what the alternator can provide according to Tecumseh's website:

Alternator

18 Watt A.C. Lighting Alternator, 3 Amp. D.C./5 Amp. A.C.

But, it's also listed as the same alternator for the models with hand-warmers.

So, Maybe I'll put the switch in, or I'll get an LED bulb and I should be able to power them both at the same time.

Thanks for the reply!

Sammyk,

What make of your gloves, may do the same!!

                                                Fred 

jubol wrote:

Fred, They are Gerbings. Is that what you were asking?

Thanks,

Sam

Sammyk,  yes

Thanks

  Fred

They do make aftermarket heated hand grips for snowblowers, but a pricy option, check them out here:  http://www.hotgrips.com/

Your unit has a 18W AC alternator if it's a Tecumseh (@12.8V) or a 1.5 amp DC alternator at (@12.8V) if it's a Briggs.

There is no extra juice. It has just enough to power the headlamp.

PK

I use the neoprene gloves that ice fishermen wear. About $15. I have some GoreTex gloves but still often start sweating. The neoprene "wetsuit" gloves work well even when your hands are wet. I buy them at Sports Authority.

Snowmann wrote:

Yeah, I have the Tecumseh and that's what I was reading about it. But my confusion comes because even the 13HP model uses the same 18W alternator, yet it has the headlight AND the hand-warmers.

Where are those getting the extra juice from?

Thanks

Here are some handy formulas:

 Watts = volts x amps.

 Amps = Watts divided by volts.

Amps = Volts divided by resistance (in ohms).

I have a Ariens 2003 model 1128DLE. I have the light, hand warmers and a 12v battery that needs charging.

When I switch on my hand warmers, my head light dims a bit which tells me there is a trade off in lumens when the handwarmers are on.

On recent Ariens models, most large displacement Tecumseh engines (318cc and larger) use a split coil 3A DC / 5A AC unregulated system (the only exception is the models with 318cc LH318SA L-heads which use the 18W AC unregulated alternator). The headlight and handwarmers run from the 5 amp AC side. The only time the DC circuit is used is as a battery charger for the 12V start models. You'll notice the 2 or 4 pin connector at the alternator on Tecumseh models (depending on the year), and a single bullet connector on the 18W models. The Briggs powered Ariens models use a 1.5 amp DC unregulated alternator for the 9.5hp Powerbuilts, and a 9 amp DC regulated system on the Inteks, both with single bullet connectors. The Ariens handwarmers use 2.5 amps (30 watts), so you can see an 18 watt alternator could not power the handwarmers even without a light.

PK