Unicor NF2D Light Tower/Genset

[Chainbreaker]

Agree
First time I put them up, I used a ladder. Wrong!!
About dropped one with me close behind.
My Back still isn't the same.

Truck with tailgate down is now preferred method.
Plenty of foot room to handle the weight.
I bet they are over 60+ pounds each.

Can't you just crank down the platform to ground level working height? Or is it too time consuming to crank down and then back up. As I recall from the platform that was on my older model NF2 it took a lot of cranking and there was a lot of friction in the very heavy duty light platform with its scissor mechanisms and with its metal wheels (feet at bottom). So, yeah I guess pickup height may be faster and less effort required overall.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Will get some pictures of the new lamps working from same location tonight hopefully.

I was thinking it would be nice to see photo's of the two different bulbs installed side-by-side (MH & Sodium) taken like your field shots above just to see the beam pattern and color differences if a photo can capture those differences. Then a shot of only the new MH's installed. Don't go to any added work, just thought if you still had them installed that way it would be interesting to see the differences side-by-side.

 

[Tinstar]

Can't you just crank down the platform to ground level working height? Or is it too time consuming to crank down and then back up. As I recall from the platform that was on my older model NF2 it took a lot of cranking and there was a lot of friction in the very heavy duty light platform with its scissor mechanisms and with its metal wheels (feet at bottom). So, yeah I guess pickup height may be faster and less effort required overall.

It cranks just fine and is very easy.
The unit itself is bigger than it looks. So are the light assembly's.
All the way down, the platform top is almost 6 foot tall on flat concrete.
Ladder seemed like a good idea until actually dealing with the weight and mass.
Close call for sure.

Pickup tailgate from now on.

 

[Tinstar]

I was thinking it would be nice to see photo's of the two different bulbs installed side-by-side (MH & Sodium) taken like your field shots above just to see the beam pattern and color differences if a photo can capture those differences. Then a shot of only the new MH's installed. Don't go to any added work, just thought if you still had them installed that way it would be interesting to see the differences side-by-side.

I might be able to do that tomorrow night.
Replacement bulbs arrived today intact.

I'm anxious to see too!!

 

[Jericho]

NF 2 s were very common on any AFB,used for night maintenance and Security, the plug in 110 works well , they ran for hours and hours many times days at a time only stopped for refuel in all conditions, tropical to arctic , good little unit do the Phase maintenance and you will enjoy years more use, Best bet is to find some old AGE troop , Aero Space Equipment guys, to see if any still have an old T.O. and the "Card Deck" for periodic mait laying around. UN like the ARMY, The Air Force TODO (Technical Order Distribution Officer, an NCo ) is required to destroy all recinded or excess T.Os.they are generally shredded or incinerated , I worked as a T.O.D.O. AUggie for 3 years .They are very seldom found in the civie world, each one is numericly controlled and have to be accounted for when a weapon system is turned in !

 

[Chainbreaker]

It cranks just fine and is very easy.
The unit itself is bigger than it looks. So are the light assembly's.
All the way down, the platform top is almost 6 foot tall on flat concrete.
Ladder seemed like a good idea until actually dealing with the weight and mass.
Close call for sure.

Pickup tailgate from now on.

Ok, gotcha! My older NF2's suspension was lower on the wheels and the ballasts were not part of the lights (were wired inside the units enclosure) and the lights were fairly easy to take off. The ballasts for my NF2 (older style mercury lights) were the size of an old 5 lb coffee can and were VERY heavy when I demounted them from the enclosure's bottom frame so I could use it for my MEP-002a shelter repurposing project. Yours is so much more advanced engine and technology wise. Great score all the way around!

 

[Tinstar]

NF 2 s were very common on any AFB,used for night maintenance and Security, the plug in 110 works well , they ran for hours and hours many times days at a time only stopped for refuel in all conditions, tropical to arctic , good little unit do the Phase maintenance and you will enjoy years more use, Best bet is to find some old AGE troop , Aero Space Equipment guys, to see if any still have an old T.O. and the "Card Deck" for periodic mait laying around. UN like the ARMY, The Air Force TODO (Technical Order Distribution Officer, an NCo ) is required to destroy all recinded or excess T.Os.they are generally shredded or incinerated , I worked as a T.O.D.O. AUggie for 3 years .They are very seldom found in the civie world, each one is numericly controlled and have to be accounted for when a weapon system is turned in !

I was around them a lot in my US Army Aviation days.
Just never looked close at them.

Not sure what a "card deck " is that your talking about.
I know the TO came with some units sold on GP. I've seen and posted a picture of a page from it.
I'm still looking.

 

[Tinstar]

Ok, gotcha! My older NF2's suspension was lower on the wheels and the ballasts were not part of the lights (were wired inside the units enclosure) and the lights were fairly easy to take off. The ballasts for my NF2 (older style mercury lights) were the size of an old 5 lb coffee can and were VERY heavy when I demounted them from the enclosure's bottom frame so I could use it for my MEP-002a shelter repurposing project. Yours is so much more advanced engine and technology wise. Great score all the way around!

I am extremely pleased with it.
Will be getting another one for sure.
Everyone who has seen it in person wants one. They can't believe how nice it is inside.
When they discover the Kohler/Kubota combo they want to know where to get one.
Definitely scored with this!
GovPlanet has only sold 25 of these.

I know most guys on here could care less about this unit.
But It fits my needs perfectly!!
Every bit of info I find/discover about the NF2D I'm posting because there is such little information about them on the internet.
I finally found all the manuals. That helped a lot.
Hopefully the pictures and part numbers will help someone.

New tires will be here next week.
Solargizer still needs installed.
Have spare filters, belt and bulbs for it.
Fuel tank full with two 5 gallon cans.
Another great thing is this unit has tons of room inside. Storing spares and fuel still leaves plenty of room.

No plans to repaint this year.
Next spring for sure.
I sprayed any hint of corrosion wirh ACF50 to stop the rust.

Install other MH Bulb tomorrow.
Then test time tomorrow night.

 

[Tinstar]

Fired up new MH bulbs.
HUGE Difference!
Nice bright white light.
Colors look like their supposed to.

iphone camera just can't convey just how bright it is and how far they can throw the light.
Extremely pleased!!

The tower could've been raised at least another two feet. I didn't see the need to.

 

[Tinstar]

 

[Tinstar]

Watching the deer

 

[robson1015]

That thing looks great....!!

 

[Tinstar]

That thing looks great....!!

Thanks!

New tires will be here next week.
Will look even better with new shoes on!

 

[Tinstar]

New tires were supposed to be here today.
Now FedEx tracking isn't saying when they will arrive.
Not happy.

Tires and new paint. Last two items needed.

They will probably show up when the storms start next Mon/Tues

 

[Chainbreaker]

The new bulbs do cast a very nice beam. I may have to put my light platform back on my NF2 (DIY) D and find those particular light housings and bulbs and scrap the Mercury lights that came with my unit. Having that much light available is a good thing!

 

[Tinstar]

Pictures don't convey just how bright they are and how far the light is thrown downrange.
I was very impressed, especially with the new bulbs.

Perfect timing too, days are getting shorter.

 

[robson1015]

Can't wait to see the new tires and paint !!

 

[Tinstar]

http://www.fumotousa.com/parts.php?partname=FG7BNS&partnumber=89


Didn't even think to check to see if they made one for a Kubota engine.
Sure enough....they do.
Ordered one this morning.

I have these installed on all my trucks.
Makes oil changes so much easier!!
I needed a new copper gasket for the oil drain plug since it was weeping a bit.
This solves that issue.

I did get one for My M925A2 but I ordered wrong size.
Need to figure out which one fits it someday.


Still no word on tires.
The delivery date is "pending".

 

[Chainbreaker]

Don't know when or what color you plan to paint it. I went with Rapco paint and chose 383 green due to my surroundings and it turned out very nice. I have it parked under a low hanging maple tree and the color blends in with leaves and grass quite well which is good since its parked 100' from nearby road. A big chain & lock is a backup if the camouflage doesn't work and if the chain/lock doesn't work the dogs back that up. Of course there is me backing up the back-ups!

 

[Tinstar]

I was thinking about the glossy OD green.
Have the Federal Paint Codes but don't know which one it is.
383 green is always a good choice and will most likely do that if I can't figure out which code for the other.
Luckly I don't have to worry about it being seen, unless someone flys over. Very long driveway.
Locked gate, dogs, cameras and finally my M1A & Kimber 1911 as the final security layer.

Not looking forward to towing it 8 miles to it's new home. At 10-15+-mph. Ugg

Was planning new paint next spring, but I think I will do it after tires.,,If they ever show up?

Like the shiny OD green.
I've seen CUCVs and Deuces painted that color and looked great. Not standard paint color I know.