6 volt or 12 volt

[Joolstacho]

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).

[TT John]

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.

[tinu]

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.

[orabanda]

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

[Triton Thrasher]

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.

[JulianS]

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.

[bikerboy]

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

[Joolstacho]

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).

[duTch]

 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 

 what is  ???

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

??

[Triton Thrasher]

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.

[chaterlea25]

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
Likewise with a dud battery the charging system works flat out trying to raise the voltage top the cut out point

John

[mikeb]

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.

[Joolstacho]

Thanks Mike, I'd completely forgotten that earlier thread.

[BSA_54A10]

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

[Worty]

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!