speaking of batteries......

71basketcase · May 14, 2008

there was talk about using emergency lighting batteries on bikes, but I can't find the thread......

is anyone currently using this setup on their kick-start only bikes? the thought intrigues me because of their size and the relatively small power draw on a bike with kick start and conventional light bulbs rather than halogens.....

... and I was thinking that with the space savings it would be great to be able to build an extra waterproof tray in that under the seat compartment for tools, maybe some of the wiring etc.....

as always.... thanks

karl

71basketcase · May 15, 2008

FYI... I found a guy out there in web-land who has been using this style battery for three seasons now: it's 12v, 3 amp-hour and except in stop and go traffic, it works fine......

AND... one of my former students runs an electrical supply outlet and will give me a great deal on a battery 8)

kfh

tpeever · May 15, 2008

3AH sounds a little small. I am experimenting wih a 7AH Westco AGM battery with a high output SPARX alternator on a 61 Matchless G12 that I have converted to 12V, solid state regulation and electronic ignition. Some folks have thought that the battery might not like this charging system and I have only been running it a few weeks but seems just fine so far. I don't think I would go smaller than 7AH on a Commando but it will depend on what types of draws you have on the system and how well your charging system can keep up.

71basketcase said:
FYI... I found a guy out there in web-land who has been using this style battery for three seasons now: it's 12v, 3 amp-hour and except in stop and go traffic, it works fine......

AND... one of my former students runs an electrical supply outlet and will give me a great deal on a battery 8)

kfh

cash · May 15, 2008

the thought intrigues me because of their size and the relatively small power draw on a bike with kick start and conventional light bulbs rather than halogens.....

Karl,
I always thought all the standard head light bulbs were of the same wattage, if so you'd be wasting your time and get less candle power. Better perhaps to fit led's into the rear light.

Cash

Jeandr · May 15, 2008

No battery would work too

The electrical system of the kick start Nortons can work without a battery as long as the capacitor is fitted and the ignition system is stock (points), so even a very small battery will do.

Jean

71basketcase · May 15, 2008

I'm sold: and I'm going to make a sealed tray with the savings in room for either storage or ??

thanks for the feedback, all.

Karl

Yellow_Cad · May 15, 2008

I am using an 11 AH gel cell and running it down after several hundred miles (50 to 75 at a pop) with very little town driving, lots of cruising, and a standard headlight type bulb always on bright. My stock single phase system is definitly charging but I don't know how much. I have an early 850. Is the problem that I am running the headlight on bright? Are all of you running single or three phase systems?

tpeever · May 15, 2008

Sounds like your charging system is pooped. You can check charging rate with a voltmeter while running to see what you are getting out of the alternator. An 11 AH battery should be way more than you need even with the brights on all the time.

Yellow_Cad said:
I am using an 11 AH gel cell and running it down after several hundred miles (50 to 75 at a pop) with very little town driving, lots of cruising, and a standard headlight type bulb always on bright. My stock single phase system is definitly charging but I don't know how much. I have an early 850. Is the problem that I am running the headlight on bright? Are all of you running single or three phase systems?

Yellow_Cad · May 16, 2008

How many volts at what RPM should it read at the battery if the charging system is doing as it should? There is a chance that my battery is the problem and testing the amount of charge should tell me which of the two it is.

jjett · May 21, 2008

This is a good question. Now lets everyone go out and check our bikes voltage at the battery at say 2000 and 3000 rpm.

I recently had a bout with the charging system on my Suzuki and it turned out to be a fried alternator. Proper charging on that machine was listed at 13.1-14v at revs with the high beam on. Once sorted out it was nailed at 14v. Below 13 and you probably wont be charging much, above 14 and you may be damaging your battery and burning bulbs.

speaking of batteries......

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