Author Topic: 12v batteries  (Read 4637 times)

Offline Dynamo Regulators Mike

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #15 on: 15.10. 2017 12:31 »
Some interesting reported sophistry in this extract. It would be interesting to read the whole piece and view the diagram referred to.

The reverse current at low revs with the VReg2 is indeed a real battery drain, but does not flow back through the cut-out diode, rather through the field drive circuit. There is nothing in these few paragraphs to justify this 2 Amp low speed discharge as a 'design feature'. For sure this is a design limitation pure and simple. Yes it replicates a characteristic of the cut-out in a mechanical regulator unit, but it is in no way a desirable feature.
Mike Hutchings
A10, T800
Director, DRL www.dynamoregulators.com

Offline coater87

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #16 on: 15.10. 2017 13:26 »
 Yeah,

 Slowly discharging my battery because I drive in town is a hell of a feature. *sad2*

 Lee
Central Wisconsin in the U.S.

Offline RogerSB

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #17 on: 15.10. 2017 15:22 »

1960 Golden Flash

Offline Black Sheep

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #18 on: 15.10. 2017 16:17 »
I use V reg IIs on my Star Twin (12v) and A10 (6v). The Star Twin has a pair of Cyclone batteries in series in an old black battery case, the A10 a Yuasa. Both machines are absolutely fine with daylight headlights - and both are pretty good after dark as well.
As long as your dynamo is in good order, the battery is fairly unimportant. I am very pleased with the V reg IIs. They do the job reliably and are fuss-free. 
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Online Triton Thrasher

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #19 on: 15.10. 2017 18:26 »
Some interesting reported sophistry in this extract. It would be interesting to read the whole piece and view the diagram referred to.

The reverse current at low revs with the VReg2 is indeed a real battery drain, but does not flow back through the cut-out diode, rather through the field drive circuit. There is nothing in these few paragraphs to justify this 2 Amp low speed discharge as a 'design feature'. For sure this is a design limitation pure and simple. Yes it replicates a characteristic of the cut-out in a mechanical regulator unit, but it is in no way a desirable feature.

Why do they babble on about the old Lucas control box?  It only discharged for a fraction of a second, until the cutout opened. 

They seem to be admitting up to 3 A discharge.  That's equivalent to an extra 36 W lamp, at 12 V and is just about the last thing you'd want when you're crossing a busy town at night.

Offline Dynamo Regulators Mike

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #20 on: 16.10. 2017 09:12 »
I use V reg IIs on my Star Twin (12v) and A10 (6v). . . . . . . Both machines are absolutely fine with daylight headlights - and both are pretty good after dark as well.

Yes, the shortcoming of the V-Reg II's low speed discharge will be less apparent on a 6V machine, where charging begins at lower dynamo revs.
Then again on the Star Twin with its more free revving engine, will get up to charging speed more readily, even on a 12 V system, as long as the electrical load is not too great.
Mike Hutchings
A10, T800
Director, DRL www.dynamoregulators.com

Offline Black Sheep

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #21 on: 16.10. 2017 09:56 »
All is explained! The greatest advantage of the 12 volt upgrade on the Star Twin is having a pair of Oxford heated grips. Wonderful.
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Offline RogerSB

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #22 on: 16.10. 2017 10:30 »
Thanks to you all for your contribution to this post.


I don't pretend to understand all the tech detail but I get the gist of it and it seems (to me in a simplistic way) that suitability of the V-Reg II depends on what particular bike you have, how you ride it and your local traffic and roads.


My battery is still at 12.60v so yesterday I ordered a DVR2 from Mike and from what's been said here and also from what I've read elsewhere I'm pretty confident I'll see a difference in how the battery is maintained.  My limit, these days, is 50 - 55 mph even on dual carriageways (no motorways here west of Exeter) and I'm always conscious of my unrestored GF, even if maintained well, is 57 years old so I treat it with due consideration. I'm now looking for a suitable led tail/stop light!

1960 Golden Flash

Offline duTch

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #23 on: 16.10. 2017 12:08 »

 The only other thing I can suggest is use a lower gear for longer (if practicable) to keeps the revs up
Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
Australia

Offline RoyC

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #24 on: 16.10. 2017 12:55 »
I'm now looking for a suitable led tail/stop light!

Try Paul Goff  http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyleds.htm  I have had all my LED's from him and are excellent.
My bike is a 1958 A7SS
Staffordshire UK

Offline rocker21

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #25 on: 16.10. 2017 14:22 »
change the headlight unit for a cibie unit with an H4 bulb fitting  and with 12v electrics you can buy from paul goff an LED for the headlight and a suitable stop/tail led as well, total lighting load is less than 24 watts and a much better headlight as well, much brighter and the beam goes a lot further, great for country roads, you can easily ride with dipped beam in daylight without flattening the battery. done this to my A7ss and it works well. if you are worried about it discharging back through the dynamo simply fit a big diode which acts like a one way valve, very simple to do, i have one of paul goffs units on mine and not a problem.
1960 A7SS, 1954 Ariel fieldmaster 500 twin, motoguzzi Monza 500, motoguzzi V7III special, Yamaha sr400 (2014)

Offline Black Sheep

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #26 on: 16.10. 2017 14:51 »
Halfords do LED 12v stop/tail lights. Hoping that Paul Goff's LED headlights are better than the Classic Dynamo Restorations BPF ones I tried. Great for being seen, hopeless to see by.
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Offline RogerSB

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #27 on: 16.10. 2017 15:25 »
Thanks everybody.


Just sent off an enquiry to Paul Goff for an LED stop/tail bulb which draws 1.25W/4W and also a LED pilot bulb (for daylight running when I feel it's required) which draws only 1.5W. I'm not too worried about my headlight (just yet) because I avoid, if possible, being caught out in the dark when riding my GF.


Hopefully by next weekend I'll not have to worry about my battery. I'll post the outcome here.

1960 Golden Flash

Offline mikeb

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #28 on: 16.10. 2017 20:43 »
Roger
i don't know Pauls taillamps tho have used the 'classic dynamo regulator conversions' ones and the 'matchless clueless' ones. the matchless one was a little easier to fit and i think brighter. they are both more directional than the incandescent bulbs. a great way to save power on the a10.

if you think there are a range of opinions on batteries just wait until you ask an LED headlamp question  *eek*
New Zealand
'61 Super Rocket  - '47 B33 -  '21 Triumph Speed Triple RS

Offline rocker21

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Re: 12v batteries
« Reply #29 on: 17.10. 2017 14:21 »
the classic dynamo LEd headlight unit is a double dip type which is not that good on dipped beam as it does not put a lot of light down the middle of the road, lights up the edges fine, Paul Goffs one  gives a more conventional beam  with an asymmetric dip, much better, i have seen some very cheap LED units about and they are rubbish.
1960 A7SS, 1954 Ariel fieldmaster 500 twin, motoguzzi Monza 500, motoguzzi V7III special, Yamaha sr400 (2014)