Terra_Nova

I think you may be right.  After doing some more digging it looks like it's actually an A/C bulb.  I just assumed it was a 12V D/C system.  Checked it again and there is voltage at the bulb.  Bulb has infinite resistance across the terminals so that pretty much narrows it down.

Thanks!!  Next time I should spend a little more time looking first


Thanks to TROUTS2 Guide to eternal happyness thread a few posts down I was able to find the manuals on Ariens website which helped out.

I bought an Ariens deluxe 24 new in late 2011.  Due to a poor winter season it only got used once.  Got the first decent snowfall this year and used it this morning.  It worked well except I noticed the headlight was not on.  I don't recall if it worked the one time I used it last year.  I traced the wires as far as I could (to where they enter the engine block/cover under the gas tank) and didn't see any fuses or loose connections.  With the engine running I measured voltage at the connector by the starter and there was none, so it's not a bad bulb.

Any thoughts on things I can check?  It's under warranty still but wanted to give it a once over before taking it back to the dealer.

Thanks!

Any thoughts on how the Simplicity L1428E stacks up against the Ariens Deulxe 27?  Aside from the $3-400+ price hit that is...   Looks like it will net you a cast iron gear case, easy turn (vs. diff lock on the Ariens), remote deflector control, and electric shoot rotation.

The bells and whistles don't impress me that much but the little lady (quite litterally) is threatening to want to run this while I'm at work.  I think the steeing assist and additional shoot controls would be a benefit for that. 

tempted to look into the pro model but for that price I could darn near get two Ariens 27 deluxes :-)

Thanks!!

I'm trying to make the very same decision myself.

Snowmann, very informative post, where can one find details like this?

I was leaning towards the Simplicity based on experience and reputation, plus the dealer is 5 minutes from my house, and having bought my tractor, string trimmer, etc there I have a good relationship with them. Your post leads me to believe that the new Simplicities are now just expensive Murrays... When you say Murray derived gear box, what leads you to that conclusion? Kicking tires of both left me more impressed with the Simplicity. Though the electric shoot control does concern me.

Guess the point of my post. In real world conditions how real are the advantages of the Ariens? Home Depot is the only Ariens dealer close and that thought makes me shudder...

Thanks!