Author Topic: 6 volt or 12 volt  (Read 27488 times)

Online Joolstacho

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1094
  • Karma: 7
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #105 on: 02.08. 2016 11:39 »
So I'm worried about this from Mister Thrasher:
"I use an Alton and I would say don't sell the old dynamo". Hmmmm...

(Also see my topic re: 7.4v LiPo batteries).

Offline TT John

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 246
  • Karma: 2
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #106 on: 07.09. 2016 11:31 »
I have stuck to 6v system on most of my bikes but I have improved the lighting system by fitting 6v pos led lighting, I know that the led pre focus headlight units are a little expensive at the moment, but I can be seen by everyone and I can also see much better at night in the country, I did have a problem with one of my small bikes C15, whereas I could not get anything out of it, so I change that to 12v but that was alternator, left the 6v horn on it which is loud now, halogen lighting on that one, which is very good. *yeah*

Online tinu

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2016
  • Posts: 93
  • Karma: 0
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #107 on: 22.09. 2016 22:06 »
After a few night rides (days are getting shorter), I am quite happy with my 6V headlight... I do no races at night.
I have a new LED tail/stop light, what I think is very bright.
A10 Golden Flash '57
VW T3 '84 "Bulli"


Online orabanda

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 1180
  • Karma: 24
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #108 on: 23.09. 2016 03:32 »
Installing a relay into the headlight circuit is an improvement as well (the dimmer switch only sends a signal to the relay; does not carry full load current - less voltage drop - globe burns brighter).

Richard

Online Triton Thrasher

  • Scotland
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 1928
  • Karma: 23
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #109 on: 23.09. 2016 06:38 »
So I'm worried about this from Mister Thrasher:
"I use an Alton and I would say don't sell the old dynamo". Hmmmm...

Some people say the latest Altons are better, but they have a terrible history of failing in service.

I had a three phase one stop working, a few months from new. They sent another, geared single phase one for free. 
That has worked for a good few thousand miles, but other users have had geared type Altons fail.

And don't expect anything like prompt attention from the Alton makers.

Online JulianS

  • 1962 A10
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2017
  • Posts: 1385
  • Karma: 29
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #110 on: 27.03. 2017 13:38 »
Converted to 12 volt in 1976 using standard Lucas E3L and JG control unit. Did many night miles due to commuting for shift work using a 60/55 watt H4.  Converted because of poor 6 volt lights and battery boiling with mechanical regulator..

The JG lasted until 2010 when I replaced it with another of the same.

No longer commuting. Have fitted an Osram Night Racer 35/35 watt HS1 bulb in a Lucas flat glass H4 light unit and LED tail/stop. Good light output easily balanced by dynamo.

Offline bikerboy

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 435
  • Karma: 4
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #111 on: 14.06. 2017 02:11 »
Having been an auto electrician for over 20 years in a previous life I converted to 12 volt without any hesitation or regret

Mind you none of my bikes are standard anyway I am far from a purist

Online Joolstacho

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1094
  • Karma: 7
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #112 on: 14.06. 2017 07:32 »
Bikerboy (sorry to hijack this thread, but it's 'kinda' relevant). I've asked this question on a few forums, but so far no answer.
6v batteries are increasingly hard to get.
Can we use a 2 cell LiPo battery (at 7.2v), instead of a 6v battery (Obviously I'm running a 6v dynamo).
My question is, how would the regulator be charging the LiPo?
It'll be about the amps I guess, 30c - 40c cells are easy to get and cheap, would they handle it ok?
(Yes we could go a hard shell pack for safety).

Offline duTch

  • Ricketty Rocketty Golden Flashback
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 4528
  • Karma: 41
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #113 on: 14.06. 2017 08:37 »

 my limited knowledge tells me that LiPo/ (Li-ion) cells require a different charging parameter...I've acquired a few 18650 Li-ion cells to play with but  *dunno*

 what is  ???
Quote
It'll be about the amps I guess, 30c - 40c cells are easy to get and cheap, would they handle it ok?
??
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

Online Triton Thrasher

  • Scotland
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 1928
  • Karma: 23
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #114 on: 14.06. 2017 17:52 »
So I'm worried about this from Mister Thrasher:
"I use an Alton and I would say don't sell the old dynamo". Hmmmm...

Some people say the latest Altons are better, but they have a terrible history of failing in service.

I had a three phase one stop working, a few months from new. They sent another, geared single phase one for free. 
That has worked for a good few thousand miles, but other users have had geared type Altons fail.

And don't expect anything like prompt attention from the Alton makers.

That's my second regulator failure on the Aton just occurred!

Have now fitted one of those £10 Asian regs off Ebay.

Offline chaterlea25

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 4015
  • Karma: 54
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #115 on: 14.06. 2017 22:01 »
Hi TT
The Altons now come with "podtronics " rectifier regulators rated at 200 Watts
I think other reg's arn't up to the output from the alternator

People fail to realise that alternators /dynamos work flat out to raise the battery voltage
If this rate of charge is too high for the battery it will cook the battery *warn*
Likewise with a dud battery the charging system works flat out trying to raise the voltage top the cut out point

John
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline mikeb

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 813
  • Karma: 13
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #116 on: 14.06. 2017 22:14 »
Quote from: Joolstacho
Can we use a 2 cell LiPo battery (at 7.2v)
I'd be very anxious about trying a lithium battery. they charge at different voltages, need to be well managed in charging current and explode/burn when the parameteres are wrong. this has been mentioned before here in a couple of posts:
https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=10919.msg82146#msg82146
if you do try this do it on a bench and do some reading first - hate to see another a10 burn.
New Zealand
'61 Super Rocket  - '47 B33 -  '21 Triumph Speed Triple RS

Online Joolstacho

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1094
  • Karma: 7
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #117 on: 14.06. 2017 23:22 »
Thanks Mike, I'd completely forgotten that earlier thread.

Offline BSA_54A10

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 2544
  • Karma: 37
    • BSA National
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #118 on: 27.06. 2017 10:48 »
Been using Cyclons for ages and would never think of using any other type of battery.
Originally I bought 2 of the 2,5Ah 6 V packs ( which fit nicely into an old Lucas battery case ) but pinched one for another bike and have ben running on the one battery for a couple of years without any problems.
The Cyclons do not self discharge and the plates being round with fiberglass matt between them never break off.

OTOH the double dipper LED headlamp globe was a total wast of money providing less than no useable light, but with the LED tail lamp & std headlamp I have 1/2 of lighting with all lights on and no generator.
Fitted a 3 W high pressure halogen parking globe which gives out more useable light than the LED Headlamp so with the3W parlingbulb & 0.5W tail/stop lamp night riding is no problem
Bike Beesa
Trevor

Offline Worty

  • The drayman's friend!
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 1994
  • Karma: 7
  • Procrastination is the thief of time!
Re: 6 volt or 12 volt
« Reply #119 on: 11.07. 2017 23:03 »
6v for me - keeping the bike standard as far as possible.  I reckon the bikers-of-the-60s' eyesight wasn't better than mine so it'll do for me.  I use a Powersonic 8ah sealed AGM unit which is often used for alarm stand-by systems and seems to work fine at present.  Night riding is fine although I don't have to dodge crazy roos!
Current Bikes😎
Kwaka W650
'61 Flash

Past Bikes👍
'49 B31
'59 BMW R60
Yam FS1-E, YB100, RS100, RD200DX,250DX,350B, XS750
MZ250