6 volt or 12 volt

[muskrat]

 Manosound raised the question about a poll to see how many of us have converted to 12 volt systems.
If you have a bike on each system (1 on 6 and 1 on 12) vote for your favorite and reply to the post with your thoughts.
Sorry to jump in Richard, I've never started a poll so I thought I'd better see how it's done.
Cheers

[muskrat]

I first converted to 12 volt on my racer (1992) so I could run electronic ignition. I had a total loss system (no charging). I saw the results (trophy's) almost straight away. Years later after retiring from racing the '51's mag was playing up so I put the racers ignition on her and used a converting reg. Now the racer is on the road as my cafe all 3 of my BSA's are 12 volt.
Safety is a good feature. The horn doesn't just go beep, it goes GET OUT OF MY WAY.
Cheers

[groily]

Good plan, and the results will be interesting!

I'm a committed 12v person, whether alternator (late B31 and Oilfields converted using simple rectifier/regulator options and/or upgraded stators) or dynamo (AMC twins and A10). To begin with I retained my A at 6v, but gave in a while back and went 12v when she needed a battery.

All with DVR2s, courtesy of Manormike. No probs, but I live in the relative back of beyond and don't do traffic much, so higher cut-in speeds don't matter. Decent size batteries in all cases, wet ones for me, ranging from 8amp hours to about 12 depending on space.

One nice thing is the ability to use heated grips on a dynamo bike on the open road, if headlight kept down to 35W halogen and if original thick dynamo windings retained, when there are 80W available all the time at cruising speeds.

No way back for me, unless I lived in a town. Which will never happen unless/until senility steals the decision-making faculties.
Cheers, Bill

[Brian]

I have converted both my A10's and my s/arm B33 to 12v. Std generaters with DVR2's. The A10's both have Manortech belt drive conversions.

The better lighting is an advantage but I dont do a lot of night riding on my old bikes anymore, the main advantage is being able to buy globes easily plus there is a lot wider range of batteries available in 12v.

[scotty]

staying with 6v

S

[WozzA]

12 Volt for me also..  Trevinoz restored my old Gen rewinding it to 12 Volt Neg to Earth at my request,
coupled to a DVR2 ..   12 Volt globes are available at any servo or auto accessory outlet.
& I use a 12 Volt trickle charger which I swap from bike to bike to keep the battery's in tip top condition.  

[RichardL]

Well, this isn't exactly what I meant, since it won't return the results as raw number. Nevertheless, mine is 6V.

What I meant was something like that which is available here: http://pollcode.com/ .   Just going to this site to see what I meant won't be a problem, but I didn't want to take the chance of sending people off into some malware site for my lack of knowledge.

Richard L.

[scotty]

Richard

Did you see the poll question/answer at the head of the OP.

It has the response totals to each question

S

[RichardL]

Scotty,

Thanks. Too much hurry. I missed that.

Richard L.

[wilko]

Here in rural Oz it doesn't matter because you will get killed by suicidal kangaroos at night time. No night riding here since animal lovers have decided that 50 million kangas are endangered!

[Ethelred]

perhaps this needs widening to include magneto v coil as that's usually part of the equation.

[RichardL]

Is that for real about no night riding? Perhaps you could argue that the roos are unlikely to be attracted to a dim 6V headlight.

Richard L.

[WozzA]

Is that for real about no night riding? Perhaps you could argue that the roos are unlikely to be attracted to a dim 6V headlight.

Richard L.

My word they are...   you cant even light a cigarette with a match @ night without risking being mugged by them..  or the drop bears... 

[Brian]

You have problems with drop bears as well Wozza, their a damn nuisance over here. Something should be done about them.

[Seabee]

I've stayed with 6V on both of my bikes.  I'm a purist when I possibly can be.  No offense to 12 volters, just my perspective....... (Oh, and I don't ride at night!)