Hitchcocks Forum

Please don't groan! I know this has come up before, but a search brought no results. I'm a bit fed up of the mess of wiring in the nacelle, amongst other things wiring related on my 2003 Sixty 5. I know some of you have done a change over to total dc electrics, and wondered if the present alternator is up to it. I assume it must be because when running with headlight on the ammeter ballances it ok, even showing a slight charge. However thats with the 35w bulb in, I wonder if it would allow a 55/60 bulb? I have removed the starter and related gear and solenoid, but still have the Motobat battery I fitted when the starter clutch was working, don't ask! Basically I want to simplify the wiring, along the lines of the old brit bikes when converting to 12v, but keeping the battery and using the existing regulater or a better replacement. Is there a link to a "how to" I can use? I have a boyer ignition unit fitted.

Is this what you are looking for?
http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/fo ... post_66572 steve

Hmm, thanks for that! I was thinking more along the lines of the older Triumphs etc, but they used a Zener diode to control the output by shifting excess charge to heat via the heat sink, and a rectifier to convert and charge the battery. Until I read the postings, I assumed one connected the two purples together and then connected the resultant two wires to the reg/rectifier, that doing the job of the Zener and rectifier of old. But it seems from the postings this may be a bit simplistic? Surely a modern reg/rect should be able to cope with full output from a basic alternator like the Indian/ Lucas type?

One bit I forgot, before the Zeners were used, the alternator output was split, I believe 4 coils were in use all the time, to charge the battery, with the other two connected via the headlight switch to give full output when the lights were on. This was on the earlier 6V systems. when 12V systems were introduced they went to the Zener charge control.

My electrical ignorance is first class but I replaced the reg/rec on my 1999 Bullet with the Boyer powerbox which apparently works without a battery, although I still have the battery on mine, although it's not charging at the moment (but that's a separate issue...).

Hi guys-----I remember reading that article the first time and was suitably perplexed back then......Do our hosts offer a re-wiring service then ?? ( It seems to be implied that they do )..if so I'd like to get this present '65 of mine altered...On my previous Bullets I fitted the Bransden Power Box with good results....I seem to remember that it has a heat sink built-in ??

PS..What's happened to dear old NORM ??

Converting to pure DC wont do a thing for the wiring rats nest behind the head light...


If you do decide to go ahead and convert and you dont upgrade the regulator, dont expect it to last long, as the E start bikes stator (different winding's) will load-up the reg unit with more current than was intended.


The AC head light is more efficient and brighter than the DC version unless you run a relay to the head light; which means more wiring.




Tim


N.Z.