More Fodder

[Clyde K.]

When I got my 78e basket case it had no battery, so I used an old 300 CCA lawn tractor battery to get it running. I had to remove the battery tray and tool box to fit it in, but it worked. I cut down an old truck mudflap for the batt to rest on, and forced the tool box back in. On the right side I made a bracket to attach the elec panel to since I had removed the batt box. So, now that everything is tight and works I must ask my more seasoned brethren, is there any particular problem with running my large battery? What will it hurt or hinder, will I gain anything? Thanks in advance. Clyde

[Ken Talbot]

As long as the battery is secured well enough so it won't move around and get damaged or short out, it should be okay. Might be a bit of a bother having to jump start the lawn tractor, though! :-)

[Clyde K.]

Naw, the tractor got a new battery 'cause it is my snow plow also. These batteries only cost $25 at WalMart, which is half of what the 20ah OE replacement battery costs. If it increases my power storage capacity, I just have to get the full voltage charge at LOW rpm thing figured out. Come spring I will need my driving lights working due to deer, elk, bear, turkeys, etc., not wanting to share the road. I don't think those "whistler" things work on bikes any better than they do on cars. Anyway, thanks for the comeback.

[Poprock]

What you need is a replacement reg/rec from Oregon Motorcycle Parts. Geezer builds them himself, and he's a living encyclopedia on 11's and electrical systems. He's on this forum.

[fredintoon]

- - - - is there any particular problem with running my large battery? What will it hurt or hinder, will I gain anything? Thanks in advance. Clyde

Hi Clyde,
I have run a full size car battery in my sidecar rig ever since I built it. Half the cost and 20 x the CCA.
Shoehorning in the biggest battery that will fit in your solo bike has no downside.

[Clyde K.]

Thanks for the input. I was hoping that was the case. I recently read about adapting certain VW Volt Regs to decrease the required minimum charging RPMs. Does anyone know of Pros/Cons on that subject?

[b.walker5]

If you know the threshold voltage rev range your looking for then pretty much any automotive votage regulator will work. The problem for us is that the rectumfrier and the regulator are in the same case, so if you want a seperate regulator your gonna have to seperate the circuit out of the rectifier or get another compatible three phase one from somewhere.

Best bet, as previously mentioned, get a Geezer made unit. Voltage/rev threshold is much lower than OEM and by all accounts they work much better.

[crazy steve]

I'll expand on Brian's post a bit to make it clearer....

Automotive alternators have the diodes/rectifier installed internally to the alternator itself. Main reason for this is to provide cooling of the diodes by the fan on the pulley. The alternator supplies already-rectified DC voltage to the regulator, which varies current to the rotor to control output.

The XS 'regulator' performs the same basic function as an automotive unit, but also contains the diodes/rectifier. So to swap to an automotive regulator, you would have to come up with an external rectifier to convert the AC to DC prior to feeding it to the regulator. The finned case on the stock unit is there to help cool the diodes.

Given that Geezer already offers a ready-made unit with all needed functions, it just isn't worth it...

[b.walker5]

Danke schön.

I knew what i was talking about, even if nobody else did

[skids]

(snip)
So to swap to an automotive regulator, you would have to come up with an external rectifier to convert the AC to DC prior to feeding it to the regulator. The finned case on the stock unit is there to help cool the diodes.

Given that Geezer already offers a ready-made unit with all needed functions, it just isn't worth it...

Not true. You can use the OEM diode pack to turn the AC into DC and run an "excited field" type VR instead of the OEM part. I am doing it in three of my xs11's. Been doing it for years.

[TECHLINETOM]

Not true. You can use the OEM diode pack to turn the AC into DC and run an "excited field" type VR instead of the OEM part. I am doing it in three of my xs11's. Been doing it for years.

OWWW!

My Brain!

Could I get a schematic please?

And maybe one from a GM 10SI alternator too?

I think I might have a solution from work.

The SUM-1167 is a one wire conversion kit for a 10SI alternator
it has a volt regulator, a rectifier bridge, a diode trio. and brushes.

I know how to put one in an alternator but I don't know how it works.

The volt output is 14.2-14.7 volts all the time when you convert.

Also I read somewhere about WYE windings vs. DELTA windings producing more output at idle but I didn't understand it.

Could you guys help me ?

Thanx,

[b.walker5]

Star (WYE) will produce higher voltage at lower revs, but less amps.

Check here for a basic explanation. http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/3_phase_basics.htm There's much more to know but it's not a bad start.

[skids]

OWWW!

My Brain!

Could I get a schematic please?

Thanx,

Sure. Send me an email and I will return you a schematic on how to hook it up. I am not saying it is the best thing since sliced bread but it does work a bit better than stock. My batteries last longer. If you want something easy to plug-n-play that reportedly charges at way less rpms than stock (I think that is what I have been reading) then go with Geezers.
sidhansen@msn.com