6 volt or 12 volt

[Billybream]

I,m still on 6 volts, never ride at night now, and only fair weather adventures.

[RichardL]

Billy,

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

Ricahrd L.

[KeithJ]

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.    

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?

[RichardL]

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.    

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,  ]

[KiwiGF]

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.......

[KeithJ]

Gave up with 6V after seeing the beam being blown to one side in a very strong wind one dark night.

[muskrat]

I am surprised really. 12v can be achieved without any outward signs. They must be making 6v heated grips now!
Cheers

[KeithJ]

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!

[RichardL]

Gave up with 6V after seeing the beam being blown to one side in a very strong wind one dark night.

 

[duTch]

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.....?

[bsa-bill]

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 )

[duTch]

 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

 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....

[Clive54bsa]

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 

[denis]

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

[bsa-bill]

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