Author Topic: 6 volt or 12 volt  (Read 33051 times)

Offline Peter in Aus

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 431
  • Karma: 2
  • South West, West Australia
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #150 on: 19.10. 2018 08:55 »
That ore you have already voted and forgotten about it, its been going since Jan 14 I know I must have voted but can't remember it!? *eek*
I would have as I am very much in favour of 12V *fight*

Busselton West Australia
49 A7 longstroke
58 A10  SA

Online RDfella

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 2209
  • Karma: 15
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #151 on: 18.03. 2019 17:45 »
I prefer three phase ....
'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.

Online Sav

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 323
  • Karma: 6
  • VMCC Men of Kent and BSAOC member
    • TT Website and Forum
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #152 on: 12.08. 2019 09:27 »
Still with six volt here on all bikes.

The downside I am experiencing is that EVERY six volt LED headlamp I have purchased has given me trouble.

M23 BA15 frequently goes dim like a side light on dip. I ride with an Xposure push-bike light in case!
A10SR double dipper BPF is on full beam whether dip or main (both sides tested from separate supply and whole bulb illuminates)

Two of the new improved LED bulbs just bought from Goffy (very helpful!) have gone straight back as one had no dip and the other did not dip, just went dimmer on both sides.
1961 A10SR, spent a fortune at SRM
1961 A7SS, finally the right green
2011 1937 Empire Star, twin port, high pipes, 2023 off to pastures new.
2022 Gone to the dark side and bought a 1981 Honda Benly, electric leg for my old age! done 450 miles!
2023. 1972 Honda CL350 added. Another electric leg bike with a bit more oomf
White Cliffs Country

Offline mikeb

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 842
  • Karma: 13
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #153 on: 12.08. 2019 09:39 »
Quote
EVERY six volt LED headlamp I have purchased has given me trouble
Sav -  the 'classic dynamo regulator conversions' 6v 5th gen bulb shines brightly on my 6v a10. it should for the price of it. but it is h4 so you need a new reflector or get creative with the bulb mount and some tie wire into the old bpf reflector. all the other 6v bulbs i tried were rubbish.
New Zealand
'61 Super Rocket  - '47 B33 -  '21 Triumph Speed Triple RS

Online Sav

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 323
  • Karma: 6
  • VMCC Men of Kent and BSAOC member
    • TT Website and Forum
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #154 on: 13.08. 2019 09:19 »
Cheers will take a look at that once I have tested the replacement bulbs that arrived promptly, as usual, from Goffy.

Might be a few days as I lost an argument with a medium sized tree I was felling after the weekend's storm damage. Damn thing pivoted and sprung back, skinning my knuckles rather a lot (lucky really) . Won't be wearing gloves for a few days!
1961 A10SR, spent a fortune at SRM
1961 A7SS, finally the right green
2011 1937 Empire Star, twin port, high pipes, 2023 off to pastures new.
2022 Gone to the dark side and bought a 1981 Honda Benly, electric leg for my old age! done 450 miles!
2023. 1972 Honda CL350 added. Another electric leg bike with a bit more oomf
White Cliffs Country

Online RDfella

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 2209
  • Karma: 15
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #155 on: 13.08. 2019 10:21 »
Bring back acetylene. 0 volts. Just need water (plenty of that about) and no prince of darkness to frustrate you at every turn. My charging has just stopped. Again. Can't keep up with fixing things anymore, so just charge the battery once a week (no night riding).
'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.

Offline muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11032
  • Karma: 132
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #156 on: 13.08. 2019 21:09 »
G'day Sav.
"Might be a few days as I lost an argument with a medium sized tree I was felling after the weekend's storm damage."
Can never be too careful. https://tinyurl.com/yym9s3ce
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Online olev

  • Brisbane, Australia
  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 644
  • Karma: 5
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #157 on: 14.08. 2019 07:59 »
Needs to take a chainsaw safety course!!

Offline Swarfcut

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Oct 2018
  • Posts: 2376
  • Karma: 57
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #158 on: 14.08. 2019 09:04 »
Caption. Save on Healthcare Costs with our DIY Vasectomy Kit.

Online Ewen

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Aug 2021
  • Posts: 107
  • Karma: 1
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #159 on: 26.09. 2021 19:33 »
I'm sticking with the 6v on my GF for now because I've just bought a big new lead acid battery for my bike and I don't know if I'll ever ride this bike at night. Headlamp seems nice and bright though. Unless I've just wrecked my dynamo.... I forgot to remove the bridging strap  (linking F and D when testing a few days ago) and revved the bike a bit to see if charge was showing on the ammeter....careless. The trouble is the previous owner fitted a 30 amp ammeter so it's hard to see the needle move. What ammeter should I fit... 6 or 12 amps? Advice appreciated.

1957 Goldflash
1977 Bonneville
2005 BMW GS1200
Suzuki GN125

Online RDfella

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 2209
  • Karma: 15
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #160 on: 26.09. 2021 19:52 »
`12A
'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.

Offline Rickj

  • Active
  • *
  • Join Date: Oct 2024
  • Posts: 5
  • Karma: 0
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #161 on: 11.10. 2024 16:10 »
 just bought a 59 A10, so I’m sure there’ll be loads of questions as last time I rode/owned a Brit bike was 1969. Had loads of BMW’s japanese and even a couple of Harleys. Initial issues are dynamo not charging, so very interested in the 6 or 12 volt debate, as dynamo repair and new battery required, wet sumping, manual valve fitted in feed line by previous owner. With my memory, I’ve stuck a note on the tank to turn on to avoid any catastrophic engine issues. Any suggestions on the above issues are welcome.
Rickj
59 A10

Offline limeyrob

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2023
  • Posts: 899
  • Karma: 4
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #162 on: 11.10. 2024 16:34 »
Dynamos tend to work forever and even when they don't they are easy to strip and repair.  If the bike has been standing the dynamo may have lost is residual magnetism and not be self exciting.  Get the new battery, then "flash" dynamo. If that doesn't do it take the dynamo end cover off and squirt some brake cleaner in and make sure the commutator is clean and the brushes move.   If its a mechanical reg then prise the lid off (they have usually been off many times) and clean the contacts.  End cutting pincers work well for easing over the lid.
It may take 2000 revs first time to get charging but once its got some magnetism it should charge from around 1000-1500 rpm.  6v is fine now with LED bulbs, if you don't already have those get some as they drop the current draw a lot.
Download BSA Service sheets 804A and 809.
Slough 59 GF/SR

Online CheeserBeezer

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 485
  • Karma: 15
    • Priory Magnetos Ltd
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #163 on: 11.10. 2024 21:56 »
I find that 12v provides more versatility. Most modern equipment needs 12v. Sat nav, phone charger etc. Bulbs are easier to get hold of too.

Offline mikeb

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 842
  • Karma: 13
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #164 on: 11.10. 2024 22:08 »
if this is a 6 vs 12 volt question: i see no trainspotter value in old electrics, but have kept 6v on one of my BSAs while doing leds, dvr2, indicators, GPS maps etc. If i started again I'd go for 12v for the reason cheeserbeezer says. and if you can revive your 6v dynamo that can still charge a 12v system
New Zealand
'61 Super Rocket  - '47 B33 -  '21 Triumph Speed Triple RS