Author Topic: 6 volt or 12 volt  (Read 27495 times)

Offline Billybream

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #30 on: 05.02. 2014 15:44 »
I,m still on 6 volts, never ride at night now, and only fair weather adventures.
1960 Super Rocket, owned since 1966, back on the road 2012 after being laid up for 29yrs.

Offline RichardL

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #31 on: 05.02. 2014 15:52 »
Billy,

Did you vote at the top of page one of this topic?

Ricahrd L.

Offline KeithJ

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #32 on: 05.02. 2014 18:32 »
Having now received votes from an astounding 5% of the membership, I believe we can say with complete confidence that there is a clear and definitive preference or prevalence of 6V systems on our bikes.    *conf* *whistle*

Richard L.
I don't think that necessarily follows.  Need to know what the 5% of this forums membership is compared to the total number of bikes still around?
'59 A10RR + Second engine

Offline RichardL

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #33 on: 05.02. 2014 18:45 »
Having now received votes from an astounding 5% of the membership, I believe we can say with complete confidence that there is a clear and definitive preference or prevalence of 6V systems on our bikes.    *conf* *whistle*

Richard L.
I don't think that necessarily follows.  Need to know what the 5% of this forums membership is compared to the total number of bikes still around?

...on "our" bikes. [Again,  *whistle*]

Online KiwiGF

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #34 on: 05.02. 2014 19:05 »
I voted for 6v but have to eat lots of carrots before venturing out at night....

I'l try 12v on my B31 project and see how that goes, but as the dynamo is gear driven I will not be able to speed the dynamo up, but on the other hand the engine will most ljkely get a good thrashing at all times.......



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1949 B31 rigid “400cc”  (2nd finished project)
1968 B44 Victor Special (3rd finished project)
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Offline KeithJ

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #35 on: 05.02. 2014 19:13 »
Gave up with 6V after seeing the beam being blown to one side in a very strong wind one dark night.
'59 A10RR + Second engine

Online muskrat

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #36 on: 05.02. 2014 19:27 »
I am surprised really. 12v can be achieved without any outward signs. They must be making 6v heated grips now!
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Offline KeithJ

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #37 on: 05.02. 2014 19:32 »
I am surprised really. 12v can be achieved without any outward signs. They must be making 6v heated grips now!
Cheers
Same as 12V but must have them wired so they only switch on one at a time! *wave*
'59 A10RR + Second engine

Offline RichardL

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #38 on: 05.02. 2014 21:14 »
Gave up with 6V after seeing the beam being blown to one side in a very strong wind one dark night.

 *lol*

Offline duTch

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #39 on: 06.02. 2014 08:43 »
Quote
Gave up with 6V after seeing the beam being blown to one side in a very strong wind one dark night.

  Not so bad if it comes back to centre after the wind drops off......??? :!

 I've lost track of the benefits- (which I'm sure have been covered)
   Is "60W"@12V actually brighter than 60"W" @ 6V? The way I understand it is the genny is still arbitrarily ~60W/6Vx10A, so @ 12V there is still ~60W (12V x 5A)
  Benefits being less voltage drop, which on 6v, can be rectified with thicker wire and availability and wattage selection of 12v bulbs, but will not higher wattage work the system harder.....?
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
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Online bsa-bill

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #40 on: 06.02. 2014 09:20 »
genny is still arbitrarily ~60W/6Vx10A

Not quite sure that's right duTch, what you quote is what the regulator allows, The dynamo voltage varies with it's revs and is often quoted as 12 volts or more (depends on individual dynamo)
I read 18 volts on mine when testing.
Also 12 allows better bulbs to be used (halogen bulbs can be had for 6 volt but for BPF they do alter the beam)
Battery comes into this as well, if you have a good battery then the lights should not dim even if he dynamo fails to deliver 6 or 12

(will keep calling it a dynamo - generator )
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline duTch

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #41 on: 06.02. 2014 10:18 »

 yeah Bill, I think that kind've what I meant, which reminds me that I think Musky(?) said a 12v reg will do the job.....I think I need to reread that...all a bit heady *conf*

 Guess one day when I'm bored, I'll test the 'dynie' output-( is that by connecting D+F to + and body to - on the meter...???)

 FTR- I have been using a 6V 35/35 halogen in a H4 Hella glass, and have a 35/35 halogen BPF in a 'Lucas' glass which I haven't road tested yet.

 Don't want this pickle, just wanna....
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 Clive54bsa

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #42 on: 07.02. 2014 04:03 »
I'm not sure of the "laws" but I don't think DC voltage works the same as AC, where if you double the voltage, you halve the amperage. I converted my '61 to 12v pos earth and noticed that I blew an inline 5 amp fuse I had installed, at night, with the lights on, when I pressed the horn button. I checked my Alltette horn and it was drawing nearly nine amps. I adjusted the horn as best I could and although I could change the sound, I could not reduce the amperage. I then swapped it to my '54 Golden Flash (still 6v), and the horn drew 4 amps. My solution was to put in a 10amp fuse, no problem now. So in my case a doubling of the voltage, doubled the current drawn. I'm sure someone out there can explain this phenoma.
My reason for converting iin the first place was that my regulator was boiling my battery, so I wanted to use a Boyer regulator and my dealer suggested I change to 12v, brighter lights, easier access to bulbs etc. Can't say if it's so much better.
Clive 


'54 GF,  '61 SR

Offline denis

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #43 on: 07.02. 2014 08:14 »
Hi all, I'm on 6v positive earth, the day my dvr2 'll need replacement,  i'll probably go for for 12V, just to see what happens..

Denis

Online bsa-bill

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Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #44 on: 07.02. 2014 08:48 »
Quote
Can't say if it's so much better.

I think the bulbs are better Clive, but again difficult to compare due to variables, my 70s Mini did not have anywhere as good  lights as my present Focus.

I think (but stand to be corrected) that the laws are the same for direct and alternating current - ye canna change the laws o phiysics Jim
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco