High Output Alternator....interest?

[Geezer]

How much would it be worth to you to double or triple the charging system output on your bike?

I have a system in the design stage at the moment that is promising 45 to 60 amps output. It would include a custom alternator cover that would be a little bigger than stock one. Personally the stock 20 amp alternator has always been enough for me but from time to time the subject comes up.

Right now I have the kit price penciled in at around $250 and it could go a bit higher. How likely are you to buy something like this?

On the other hand once I have all the details worked out it would be pretty easy to adapt the kit to other bikes.

Geezer

[webbcraft2150]

Oh sure, after removing most of the watt sucking bulbs and replacing them with LED's, you techno guys come up with an alternator upgrade! Actually, bigger is better and I would be up for the conversion.

BTW, I have a no-good regulator rectifier taking up space on my workbench. Do ya want it as a core for your reg-rect upgrades (of which I need to buy).

[TucmanXJ]

Watt savings?

Not up on alternator output vs electrical system usage on the 1100. Watt can be saved by using LEDs? How does LED replacement provide a substantial (?) surplus of current to operate other lights & accessories?

[mro]

Stock turn signal bulbs are 27 watts each.
LED draws a tiny fraction of that.


mro
search for LED conversions. Several have done this mod.

[xschop]

L.E.D.s and wattage

I replaced all filament style bulbs (excluding headlight) and this does decrease the wattage substantially. If you make sure your headlight is off during cranking, you will definitely notice an increase in starting power. Before I did the LED replacement, when I turned the blinkers on, I noticed the headlight and instrument clusters would dim with each BLINK. Not so now. Also I have been running these same LEDs for @3 years now and have'nt had to replace a single one. If Geezer designs a unit to increase amps, this would be a real solution for all you guys...and gals too that run alot of equipment, radios, fog lights, loudspeakers,fog horns, flux capacitors....o.k. you get the point

[nubee]

Geezer,

I would love to have one!

What else would it take to upgrade?

Is there any downside?

[Geezer]

Thanks for early input guys. This unit if/when I make it will be a complete kit with nothing else to buy. I won't sell one until it's been throughly tested on my own bike.

It will be like a large XJ style alternator. On the XS11 the iron rotor will have to go and a cover with a seal will go in it's place. The new alternator will be a little larger in diameter and stick out a couple inches further.

I don't think it will be a big seller but I do think I could recover my tooling costs in the first year and that makes it worth thinking about.

For now the project will stay in the design phase and I'll post an update after I've built the first unit.

Geezer

[Geezer]

Originally posted by mro
Stock turn signal bulbs are 27 watts each.
LED draws a tiny fraction of that.

Like I said before, I've been happy with the stock alternator but mine puts out more power down low because I'm using one of my own reg/rec units.

I've not switched over to LED bulbs anywhere. I do like the LED gage light bulbs but more for the long life than the low power draw.

LED turn signals don't save you as much as you might think since you don't run with them on all the time. LED running and tail lights iare another story.

On a vintage bike list I'm on a guy made a LED headlight for a vintage bike. It had a couple rings of LEDs with a H4 bulb in the middle. The LEDs put out as much light as the factory (1950's) headlight for day time riding and at night he could kick in the H4 bulb.

Geezer

[snowdog51]

i will take one

as ever bill

[Pat Kelly]

one what?

[hamjam]

reply
....oops ......screwed that up ;-)
Jim

[snowdog51]

alt

hi output alt

[xschop]

I'll take two!

Oh. I thought you were talking @ a fine pilsner....I have been searching for an LED headlight that I can adapt to a 5" housing, but still nothing spectacular yet. Some new vehicles are starting to go L.E.D. but I haven't seen one on a bike that comes to the states....Any ideas?

[eroellig]

Originally posted by Geezer
[...] The new alternator will be a little larger in diameter and stick out a couple inches further.
[...]

Geezer

Geezer,

It sounds interesting. I've been thinking about how to work over the lighting on my bike. I still have the halogen light that came with my bike and it isn't providing as much light as I would like. Perhaps it is just an old bulb, but in any event, I was plotting to do the LED thing so I could also add on extra driving light(s). Perhaps even pursue an HID replacement for the main light.

However, if you come up with a High Output alternator, that would definitely simplify matters. Perhaps even have enough power left over for a heated vest, etc....

I do have a couple of questions.

1) Since your are thinking your creation will stick out a couple of extra inches, what will that do as far as ground strike in the event that a bike is laid over on its right side? Right now I know (don't ask me how I know... ) that on flat ground, the very bottom edge of the alternator cover will just touch the ground. It would suck to drop the bike during a long trip and kill the alternator if it really plows the ground.

2) Do you anticipate building up to a proper charging level at a lower RPM than the OEM alternator (even with your regulator)?

Thanks for investing the time & energy in these lovely ladies.

Eric

[HobbyMan]

How Did I of all people miss this thread. I was thinking of manufacturing one myself. If you have some photos of what it might look like, I might be interested. Money is ever so tight right now but I should be earning some green soon.