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

Anyone have suggestions for attaching a headlight to my snowblower? Unfortunately this model does not have the factory installed headlight. I saw a headlight kit at Sears for $40. Is installing a headlight a simple installation, or would I be better off just using a flashlight?

As always, your advice is appreciated.

if you bought your snowblower from a dealer you would be better off getting a headlight kit for the particular brand of  machine you purchased from him.usually a top of the line is offered in the larger brands of machines  that come out of the box with many options.  some if not all of these options generally can be added to the lesser versions available with the least amount of problems associated with the instalations. you opted to go with a name brand if i recall from your recent post  so lights should be available and probably can be installed. after looking at your former post i see you said your choice was a simplicity 924e. i searched on google and found simplicity info that lists a headlight kit for the intermediate and large frame blowers as an option.MAKE SURE YOUR SNOWBLOWER HAS AN ALTERNATER OUTPUT LEAD! the output lead is where the power comes from for the light.  it might be easier to add the light with the purchase of the machine. if that's not possable i would get the light from a simplicity dealer and install it yourself. 

The first thing to establish is to make sure you have a feed wire coming off of the engine.  Check the voltage.   One of the well informed participants on this forum advised that it's around 15 volts.  If the engine has a feed wire and you've established the voltage, you can pick up a good quality light at any automotive type outlet (NAPA, Chinadian Tire etc.) for probably less than $20.00.  Look for something that will allow you to fasten it to one of the down tubes or cross tubes on the frame otherwise, you could buy one with a simple mount that goes through a hole in controls panel.  Either way, if buy the light at a dealer, expect to pay a premium for it.  In addition to that, if the dealer puts it on, you can expect an hour's labour charge for a fifteen minute job. 

If you decide against putting a light on the machine, I strongly recommend a good quality light that you can put on your head.  Petzl make a decent unit.  I bought a headlight for night fishing.  It has multiple lights for different purposes.  Amber reading light, red safety lights, l.e.d. close range illumination lights and, believe it or not, an H.I.D. high beam light.  It runs on three AAA batteries and will go for many hours on one charge.  The big advantage of wearing a head light is that it shines where you look.  If you need to check out the machine in the dark, no problem.  Can't do that with a fixed light on the snow thrower.