6 volt or 12 volt

[Butch (cb)]

Conversely when I wired mine on 6v I paid particular attention to wire dimensions and joints. Apart from the disparity between the headlamp position and reflector causing the dip to be too low and the high to be up in the sky it’s certainly bright enough. I’d bought relays but have seen no reason to fit them to date. Conversely on the H1 which is of course 12v, despite paying a lot of attention to the connectors when I put the original loom back in whenever someone approaches from the rear at night I find myself riding in my own shadow.

[warmshed]

A good byproduct of converting to 12 volts is, for the same load you draw half the current. This means half the volt drop due to resistance of cables and connections.  This comes free.

[Johnny J]

Why not both 6V and 12V!

I haven't seen anybody else using this kind product: http://www.ebay.com/itm/301173896517?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I have bought one and it seems to work perfectly, so I will keep the 6V battery and use 12V for lighting etc.
Have to "flash" for negative earth since this device is not isolated and have common minus, negative earth makes it easier to use LED bulbs.

An advantage as I have read in this/other threads is that with 6V the dynamo provides charge at lower RPMs compared to 12V.

[KeithJ]

"An advantage as I have read in this/other threads is that with 6V the dynamo provides charge at lower RPMs compared to 12V."

Are you saying the unit allows the 6V dynamo to charge at lower revs than a 12V dynamo?

Or 6V dynamo will out put more at lower revs compared to a 12V one?

Keith

[beezermacc]

A 6v dynamo, in standard trim, is capable of producing 20v quite easily. The dynamo spins slightly quicker than the engine (about 10% quicker if I remember correctly) so, at tickover speed most dynamos deliver somewhere between 6 and 7 volts but, depending on the type of regulator you use, you may need slightly over 7 volts from the dynamo to charge a 6v battery. The faster the dynamo spins the higher the voltage - generally. If you use a standard 6v dynamo with the standard gearing it will not deliver enough voltage to charge a 12v battery until about 2000 or even 2500 r.p.m. You can buy a belt kit so that the dynamo spins faster but, if your dynamo is old and has been the victim of vibration the pegs and bearing housing will be worn, so spinning it at a higher r.p.m. might not be desirable if the armature is not well balanced. However, many people use this set-up and are perfectly happy. Alternatively you can have a dynamo rebuilt with a 12v armature and 12v field coil and the dynamo will produce about 12v at about 1000 r.p.m. i.e no need to fit a belt kit but the dynamo conversion might cost about £160.

[shuswapkev]

I have a rigid 650..the cases are 51...no idea when any of  the rest went out the door...gear box case is 49 and frame 48..
using a 6 volt dynamo  podtronics 12v reg      wassel ignition  10 amphr doorbell battery...and indicators...I have changed all lights to LED  switching any on does not wiggle the ammeter needle...I have a horn from a late model landrover...it buries the needle  but is SO LOUD...  I have fitted a digi voltmeter on my handlebar ..it gives me real time on my dynamo..and when shut off ..battery voltage..i use an LED pilot light in my headlight    normal around town running ..the dynamo keeps the dry cell at 12.7v
the wassel allows dynamic timing with a light  and degree wheel...easily adjustable to 1 degree...
12 volt means easy access to bulbs horns ...and whatevers...I also use a navman when I have to...

I,m getting a magneto rebuilt...as I have some concerns about riding on the dynamo...as I don't think it was ever made for that....once cut out is engagaed..my dynamo is always making 13.8 v I don't know if it il do that continually...
     
originally...the wassel ign came up on ebay for cheap...and my last maggy rebuild took nearly a year...

if the magneto doesn't work as well as the wassel...I would like to fit a Kubota type alternator on the end of my E3L...like the sportster guys do with their delco generators...

[Viking]

6V with positive earth is good originality, and for a bike used for show and summer fun.

Problems with 6V: Heavy ware on contactors, more difficult to get 6V bulbs and GEL batteries etc.

Low voltage and moisture are not good friends. 

Hard to get proper lighting beam out of Headlamp bulb (Pre Focus) 6 Volt, 30/24 Watt, even with new reflector
You can get 6V LED +VE, but they are still new and in development…. Or 6V halogen bulbs, but they draw a lot of amp.

12V with negative earth is good for an everyday and practical running a bike, you can easily get electric parts and gadgets like GPS, H4 halogen headlights, flashers, relays, LED bulbs etc.

Going the 12V route with the Prince of darkness (Lucas) dynamo is a problematic route.

Fitting a 12V armature, field coil + 12V electronic regulator. There is the issue with the thin wires in the armature.

Stepping up voltage with a 12V regulator on a 6 Volt dynamo is stressing the matter even further.

The more bullet proof way is an 12V Alton generator. That can feed high output main beam all day.

I would love to have a “police” 12V crank shaft fitted generator on my A10. But finding the primary covers etc. for that is like finding “rocking horse manure”    
Besides that, I am sure that the covers are not so pleasant to the eye as the std. primary cover. 

What is best ?
Depending upon the usage of the bike and the money you are willing to spend…

[rocker21]

I fitted a 12v Alton alternator in place of the dynamo , problem solved i can now run a standard 65/55 w H4 halogen bulb , i live in the countryside where there are no street light so a decent light is a must, also fitted the srm belt drive for the dynamo, needs a slight mod to make it fit the Alton, works well. next thing to try is the LED conversion, some of my mates in the club say it is brilliant and would not go back to a halogen bulb. 12v bulbs are much easier to get.

[RichardL]

No comment on the Alton alternator matter. This is about funny jargon and figures-of-speech. I've always appreciated the British use of the term "brilliant" to mean "great," or "wonderful," or "excellent," but would stop short of using it to describe a light bulb unless I was talking about its relative light output.  

Richard L.

[rocker21]

well the LED conversion compared to the halogen is just that, it is a much brighter and whiter light so i think the term brilliant is justified, having ridden a bike at night with one fitted there is no comparison , the LED wins every time and uses less power as well.

[RichardL]

Ah! Killing two birds with one stone.

[Triton Thrasher]

I use an Alton and I would say don't sell the old dynamo.

[duTch]

 

No comment on the Alton alternator matter. This is about funny jargon and figures-of-speech. I've always appreciated the British use of the term "brilliant" to mean "great," or "wonderful," or "excellent," but would stop short of using it to describe a light bulb unless I was talking about its relative light output.  

  I feel you're taking the pi$$ here, however;
  I've heard "...brilliant white light" plenty of times and figured it as the definition, so would've thought that other uses of "brilliant" were derived from it
 
 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brilliant

[muskrat]

duTch, the simple definition #3 describes you. No pith intended.
Cheers

[ellis]

I'm on 6v at the moment, Bike back on the road next week so I will see if its ok.

ELLIS