NORMAL VOLTAGE??

[ohiojack]

Well I just got done putting a voltmeter on my bike. At idle the voltage is 12.7-12.8, at 3000 rpm it runs around 13.6. When I turn my little 35 watt lights on, the voltage drops to 12.8 at 3000 rpm. At idle the voltage drops to 12.5-12.6. I know my alt. only puts out 35-40 amps. I'm sure even going down the road at 60 mph, I'm discharging my battery. Any ideas on led lights that are reasonable.

[cushman eagle]

That is a little low,you should see about 14.2 at cruising speed.I would guess you have a diode out in your alternator,which an automotive electrical repair shop should be able to handle.I replace them in farm equipment quite often ,and for D/R alternators a diode trio,set of brushes,and a regulator are less than $35,but any other brand they can cost $50+

[ohiojack]

Loren: I haven't had it on the road yet, I was just checking it by running it in my garage. By the way, do you still want the drivers back rest? ohiojack

[ekap1200]

Well I just got done putting a voltmeter on my bike. At idle the voltage is 12.7-12.8, at 3000 rpm it runs around 13.6. When I turn my little 35 watt lights on, the voltage drops to 12.8 at 3000 rpm. At idle the voltage drops to 12.5-12.6. I know my alt. only puts out 35-40 amps. I'm sure even going down the road at 60 mph, I'm discharging my battery. Any ideas on led lights that are reasonable.

Looks like my readings when I had those power hog lamps. I got rid of them quick. Installed first generation CREE lamps but hear now ( newer units ) can cause interference with com/radio systems.
Now if I have no acc's on and battery up to 100% she rolls down the road at 13.4 ~13.8, If I have driving LEDs on and the tape deck with moderate volume, and the garmin GPS it will hold 13.3@55mph and 13.3 at Idle. If I
have been working the battery Key on / engine off and discharge the battery a bit it will roll down the road a while at 14.2 until the battery comes up and the voltage settles down back to 13.4~13.8
I hated those driving lamps... Make sure your battery is 100% and take it down the road to check voltage .
Sounds like your getting close to finishing all the to-do pre-trip items.
Gene K.

[ohiojack]

Yeah Gene, I'm getting close. Sounds like my voltages are really close to yours. I remember last fall during our autumn meet in Penn., I left the lights on all the time and never had any trouble. I must be right on the edge. Looking forward to our trip in a few weeks. ohiojack

[ekap1200]

Yeah Gene, I'm getting close. Sounds like my voltages are really close to yours. I remember last fall during our autumn meet in Penn., I left the lights on all the time and never had any trouble. I must be right on the edge. Looking forward to our trip in a few weeks. ohiojack

what type of battery do you have in it ?
Can you use a hydrometer to check the cell.
A sealed wet cell should show a tenth or so from 12.8 installed in the bike
key on/ engine off

[Tonyvdb]

Any ideas on led lights that are reasonable.

Ive been using these LED lights for 2 years now and they are great:
http://www.amazon.com/Off-road-Headligh ... s=Cree+LED" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SgtSlag]

You can find many, many types of LED's, at very affordable prices, on e-Bay. Just make certain they are waterproof. Also, if you buy flood lights, even if they pump out 1,000+ Lumens (10+ Watts), they will not reach out very far, nor will they work well, at night, to light up the road for a good distance. Spotlights are what you want for lighting up the road in front of your bike, out to a distance...

I bought a pair of flood's, pumping out around 1,000 Lumens each, and when I tested them at night, they only lit up the road out to 15 feet. I am okay with that, as I rarely ride past dusk. I just wanted to see how far out they reach. I use mine for conspicuity in the daytime, so I want the light to be spread out as far as possible, to the sides, and front. Cheers!

[ohiojack]

I took the bike out for a 40 mile ride. My results, at 60 mph my voltmeter was reading at 13.4-13.6 volts. As soon as I turned my spot lights on it dropped to 12.9- 13.1 volts. I don't have the money for new lights right now, I'll just have to watch it. Thanks for the responses. ohiojack

[cushman eagle]

You should be Ok with that voltage It is slightly below ideal,but will keep the battery up OK.I can only get 6.2 volts out of my Cushman with the lights on,and that keeps the battery up Ok.
Yes I would still like your backrest when we can meet up for FISH again.

[SgtSlag]

For future reference, here is a link to a pair of 10W, waterproof, cool white, LED's, with black housings, for <$20US, delivered. Skip a few latte's, and you're golden.

I used a pair of $20, 3W LED's for three years, without issue. Don't let the price fool you into thinking they are junk -- they're not. Modern LED's are priced like jewelry: typically a mark-up of 500%-1,000% is quite common. One last caveat... You will need C-clamps to mount these to your engine guard bars, and the chrome C-clamps can cost around $10-$20 for a pair. Might cost you a couple of weeks of latte's, depending upon your local coffee economy. Cheers!