Topic: charging system question...

[lazyguy400F]

     Does anyone use heated jackets and gloves? I just took my first real ride of the season, and my hands went numb after about half an hour.  I've heard that the electric gloves and such work great, but I keep reading about how marginal the old charging systems are, and don't have any idea of how much strain this would put on things.  (I suppose I could get a fairing, or move south, but that's a bit more drastic).

     

[super pasty white guy]

I've been running grip heaters this winter on my 750.  Makes me feel like I'm in the lap of luxury.

I've replaced most of my lamps with LEDs, cleaned every connector, and put in a halogen headlight.  I haven't had a problem running them on low this winter with mostly city and some highway time.  I did my through the city commute route with them on high one night and ran down the battery, but no problem on low.  You can run on high as long as you're doing highway miles.

I'll dig up the info on which brand I bought, if you're interested.

spwg

[eurban]

I assume we are talking 400f?  Sorry to say that you will probably run into charging system limitations when trying to install accessories.  I don't off hand know the output of the 400f (it is definitely less than the 750) but you could probably calculate the current use of your bike's present setup and compare it with alternator output.  Probably won't have much left over.  You could try and reduce your usage by installing LED tail and front markers and do everything possible to assure maximum charging system output.  I would still doubt that this will be enough but who knows.  Do the calculations first before you spend the money for the grip warmers.  Perhaps TT can figure the numbers for you?  Do you have an electronic ignition, or halogen headlight?

[TwoTired]

What bike are we talking about?
Has there anything electrical been changed from stock?  (Headlight, etc.)
Do you spend a lot of time idling at lights?

Your bike has a 150W alternator at 5000 RPM, but produces 30-40 Watts at idle.

What is the wattage or current requirement of the gloves you wish to buy?

Cheers,

[lazyguy400F]

     It's the trusty 400, with a bigger halogen headlight, and I'm thinking about adding the electronic ignition. (and I do get stuck idling at lights). the gloves draw 27 watts, the jacket liner takes around 200, I think. Sounds like I could manage the gloves if I turned them off when I wasn't buzzing along, but the jacket would be way too much.
     But just to be able to get a shot of warmth part of the time could be good enough- I can bundle myself up pretty well, but monster gloves would be a little clumsy.

     Of course, this would also be a good excuse to have a second, bigger bike, for winter and road trips....I'll start saving those pennies....

     Thanks for the informed advice- it's nice to know that there's people that actually know all this stuff, so that I can remain blissfully ignorant.

[TwoTired]

I forgot to add that the stock bike electricals draw about 100- 120 Watts, whenever the key switch is activated.  This number increases when higher wattage headlights and low ohm coils are added.  The alternator still only produces 30-40 watts at idle and 150 watts when revved up.

So, expect to replace your battery more frequently when adding electrical "upgrades".

Cheers,

[heffay]

i use heating elements installed between the bar and grip but not on the cb.
good stuff... a must have in my opinion.

i'd just throw them on yours.
run them but not right up until you shut the bike off.
and trickle charge the battery frequently.

maybe revert back to stock headlight?  or can you not see well?  i've never had a problem but if you're like my dad you probably could use even more than the hopped up headlight in order to see well at night.

my grips are hardwired to the battery and i don't even want to admit how many times i've accidentally drained the battery by leaving them on after walking away from the bike.  3 years on this battery and still hanging on.  can't virtually cross my fingers so i'll just cross my emoticon lips.   

[lazyguy400F]

maybe revert back to stock headlight?  or can you not see well?  i've never had a problem but if you're like my dad you probably could use even more than the hopped up headlight in order to see well at night.

     I needed a brighter headlight even before I became old and decrepit, so that's staying. The trick with the gloves will be remembering to unplug when I get off the bike, as my short term memory is as bad as my night vision...

[LoopsAndLogic]

I'm still looking for those 3.4w bulbs that go into the gauges and the indicator light cluster. But in LED form!!!

You have 2 bulbs in each gauge, 2 turn signal, 1 high beam, 1 neutral, and 1 oil light.

That's 30.6 Watts!!

The gauge bulbs are always on and the directionals are intermittent, but it will preserve energy.

The rest aren't that important.

Still looking for a set of directional LED bulbs. Not having any luck.....

Been thinking of a higher powered alternator, but who supplies that?

Good luck staying warm

LL

[heffay]

loops... why do you need directional?  they will be underneath the lenses right?  you simply need them to light, correct?

i do have some LED lights... green

simple bulb and 2 wires... i probably have a dozen... designed to run on 12 volt system... wire them however you see fit.

i just bought them cuz they seemed neat.. now they just sit in a package in the garage.

[LoopsAndLogic]

I'm sorry I meant the turn signals. All of the turn signal LED bulbs at the auto stores have them in the Red amber color.

I need the clear kind.

Do you have any LED bulbs the size that fits into the speedo & tach gauges?

I too buy stuff that look cool. You should see my 3rd tool box that's all stainless steel with very few tool inside. lol

Thanks

LL

[heffay]

nobody move!  this is a threadjack!

yes loops, the bulbs are smaller than my pinky nail and glow green.  that small enuf ?



everybody be cool!  i said!


p.s.  what is that car in your avatar loop? 

[eurban]

I'm sorry I meant the turn signals. All of the turn signal LED bulbs at the auto stores have them in the Red amber color.

I need the clear kind.

Do you have any LED bulbs the size that fits into the speedo & tach gauges?

I too buy stuff that look cool. You should see my 3rd tool box that's all stainless steel with very few tool inside. lol

Thanks

LL

I am not certain of the application you have in mind but if you are planning using the leds underneath an amber or red lense then you want your LEDs light output color to be the same color as the lense.  A white led doesn't produce much light in the red or amber spectrum so most of its intensity will be filtered out by a colored lense. . . .

[heffay]

my only concern would be getting them to work... which is why i would send extras 

they are bright!  especially straight on.

[heffay]

p.s.  what is that car in your avatar loop? 

trans am, right?

[super pasty white guy]

For LEDs, try here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm.  They have a wide variety available.

spwg

[lazyguy400F]

    I got some cheap 12 volt led's at radio shack to make a replacement idiot light panel, just couldn't find blue for the proper high beam color. They were easy and work great. (and I made the panel out of teak, in homage to those great british sports car dashes of the 50's and 60's).