Gumbies Omega Altinator

[mikeyd3]

Wow! $575 for an alternator. Semper Gumby had mentioned the omega for powering the heat gear. Since I mounted the Jammer, Ive considered lamps on the low end for seeing and to be seen. I wasnt sure If changing the alt was absolutely necessary but looked into it. A yahoo search brought me right to it. They advertise specifically for heat and added lights. But yikes, $ 575 ?
Any alternatives? Is it necessary?
http://www.motoelekt.com/charging.htm
Mike

[Bob_Roller]

There's another aftermarket system the Enduralast, sold by Euro Motoelectric, it claims a max output of 450 watts, but a test of a system showed significantly less output.

It's cost is around $450.

Only sure way to see how much of your charging system you are using, would be to hook up a multimeter directly to your battery, and then mount the multimeter where you can see it while riding, and see what kind of voltage you see during your normal riding routine.

The stock system has a max output of 280 watts.

Don't forget that you will be asking your 25 year old charging system to be operating at a high output, and  will probabbly cause an early demise of some component.

[mikeyd3]

when you say, "Don't forget that you will be asking your 25 year old charging system to be operating at a high output, and  will probabbly cause an early semise of some component. "
 are you suggesting that regardless of installing the new alternator or not Im risking burning out something or just if I hook lights up to my current (stock) rig?
 I figure a higher output alternator is gonna put more stress on the other components anyway....right?
  Anyway, Im gonna take your advice and run it with a multimeter. If it pushes the envelope as far as watt usage vs output Ill know I cant add a 55 watt lamp. Thanks Bob

 OP - (WU+WL55) = SOL
I shouldnt have flunked math

[Bob_Roller]

I was refering to the stock charging system, with the added load, the stock charging system will be putting out close to max output, and this would probably lead to a failure of one of the components, due to their age.

With the high output system you won't have that concern.

If you do add accessories, don't wire it to the original wiring harness, run wires directly to the battery, install fuses in the power leads.

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to have relays in the 'load' circuit, that get power to activate the relays from a 'switched' power source, so they are shut off regardless if you remember to do it or not.

I added a set of PIAA 40 driving lights to the R65 (each light is 55 watts for about an additional 9 amp load), and I have to run the bike at 45mph no stopping , to keep the battery from being run down, if I have the lights on.

So I know that even at highway speeds, that the alternator is putting out near maximum power, I'm waiting to see which part fails first, as this desert heat is not kind to anything electrical !

[scottyintex]

I followed Gumbie's lead and put a omega charging system on my R65.  I have a sidecar on my cycle and do most of my riding just running around town. With the extra taillight, headlight, sitting at idle at the stop signs, stop lights...............my battery was always down. The old 280 volt system just wouldn’t handle it. I was always hooked up to the trickle charger and it took forever to bring the battery up. My lead acid batter died.....I think it failed because of over stress and even the new gel battery was always down. I went over to LED taillights.............which work very well. Tried LED turn signals but they were just to dim on a bright day....... all of this to cut down on the electrical drain.  But in the end gave up, went with the omega system and glad I did. I have had no problems since I switched.

[Semper Gumby]

One thing I do like about the Endurlast Alternator, which is rated at 400 watts at 5000 rpm (where i spend a lot of time), is that if the GEN light goes out you will still have current.  Its a brushless alternator i.e. it has a large permenant magnet rotating inside a varible field coil.  Reminds me of what is on the BSA's....

Unfortunately you will not be able to install the Omega Ignition - it won't fit on the front of the new Generator.

BTW - I suspect the 450 watt rating is at an RPM I would be loath to run the bike at (6000+).  Need to compare power rating Vs. RPM charts.  That would be the truth of the matter.

[Tim_McGee]

Consider replacing the tail/brake light with an LED unit. Around $50. It draws much less current. If you run other lights consider LED there also. LED marker lights are available at most truck stops in the US for a reasonable price. I did that on my R75/5 which has marker lights in the saddle bags. LED draws less current and is much brighter.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately the bike I really need to do this on, (the BSA Thunderbolt) is positive ground and the LEDs wont work.  Positive ground LEDs are Expensive.  Of course I could just re-wire the whole bike for negative ground.....

[Ed Miller]

Hey Bill, do you know about this guy?

http://www.bulbsthatlast4ever.com/index.html

I have the tail light and the turn signals.  It's nice to hit the brake and see the ammeter needle NOT slam to the left.  I'm not sure he's still in the business.  It's no more expensive than other LED arrays.  You own a BMW:  you scoff at high prices!