alternator connector too recharge while riding . is it possible

I found a battery that might be good to use it's a: Rechargeable 12volt 7.0AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery. Is that good to use with a lighting setup?
 
I found a battery that might be good to use it's a: Rechargeable 12volt 7.0AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery. Is that good to use with a lighting setup?

Just try it and see how it goes, then tweak as required from there.
At least you'll have 95% of the work done with wiring, clips etc.
If THAT battery don't suit the application, just try another battery to the work/wiring that's already been established.
 
Just try it and see how it goes, then tweak as required from there.
At least you'll have 95% of the work done with wiring, clips etc.
If THAT battery don't suit the application, just try another battery to the work/wiring that's already been established.

Thanks man... I think I'm going to try it and see how it works out. Have to find a light now. Been looking but haven't come up with anything yet.
 
12 v 7 ah is what I run!

I expect an hour of power with 55 watts, with some in reserve. Have heard of a H3, 35 watt bulb which I may persue. 35 watts= low beam headlight.

It's bad to repeatedly drain a battery to less than half its capacity, with a 50 minute ride I am just making it to this point.

One will have to charge said battery on shore power until they figure out the on-bike charging, but my electric rates are still reasonable compared to the cost of gasoline, (even more reasonable if I charge at work) and even a coal fired plant is way greener than my 2-stroke. :)
 
12 v 7 ah is what I run!

I expect an hour of power with 55 watts, with some in reserve. Have heard of a H3, 35 watt bulb which I may persue. 35 watts= low beam headlight.

It's bad to repeatedly drain a battery to less than half its capacity, with a 50 minute ride I am just making it to this point.

One will have to charge said battery on shore power until they figure out the on-bike charging, but my electric rates are still reasonable compared to the cost of gasoline, (even more reasonable if I charge at work) and even a coal fired plant is way greener than my 2-stroke. :)

Hey eljefino, cool about the 12v 7ah. An hour of power seems not very much. I was expecting more, I guess. Do you get more time on the 35 watts? If so how much more. What about 20 watts.... any idea of how long that would last? Sorry to question you to death lol. The reason I ask is because I was thinking about trying to use my lights all the time and that would not be practical if you only get an hour or so use out of the light.

Yea, charging it while you ride is the best thing if you can do it. Saves taking stuff off of your bike when you get back from a ride. Once I get deeper into this I will (hopefully) post more answers than questions. I'm going to find a way to charge the battery while riding one way or another. It might take me a while cause of money but I will get it eventually. In case anyone is looking for a 12v 7ah sla battery; here's a good one for a good price:
To me it's a good price.

Well, better go for now. Talk to you in a bit.
 
Links to Amazon may include affiliate code. If you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase, this forum may earn a small commission.
Watts are just volts times amps so a 20 watt would draw 1.666 amps, a 7 ah battery would last 4.2 hours at 100% load so your ride time should stay under ~2.5 at the most.
 
Watts are just volts times amps so a 20 watt would draw 1.666 amps, a 7 ah battery would last 4.2 hours at 100% capacity so your ride time should stay under ~2.5 at the most.
 
Watts are just volts times amps so a 20 watt would draw 1.666 amps, a 7 ah battery would last 4.2 hours at 100% capacity so your ride time should stay under ~2.5 at the most.

Thanks man for the numbers... at least I have an idea of running time now. Now if I can only recharge the battery while the bike is running I would be all set. I'm still reading the thread about that one.
 
AH stands for amp-hours.

Amp-Hours = Amps x On-Time in Hours

If you have a 35W light and a 12V supply you can find the amps by using the equation P=VI (or Power equals voltage times current). A little algebra later, I= P/V so our 35w light at 12v pulls 2.9 amps.

Now if you want to figure out how long your battery would last, say a 7AH, you would use the above equation AH=Amps * Hours with a touch of algebra and its AH / Amps = hours. So, 7AH / 2.9 amps = 2.4 hrs. If you want more, you'll need more amp hours.

Say 4 hours is acceptable, so you would need a battery of at least 2.9 amps x 4 hours = 11.6 AH...

Then, you have to consider the fact that for optimal battery life you should never drop a battery below 50% capacity... So you should double any number you calculate to allow for battery life.

Now, on most automobile alternators, the alternator actually handles every electrical power requirement (under normal operation) except for starting the engine because, well the alternator isn't turning then. The battery is only there for starting and emergency situations where you lose the alternator.

So essentially, there are not TOO many good ways to charge a battery while simultaneously draining it, however you may be able to have it switch between battery and alternator/generator when the bike isn't rolling or when travelling at or below optimal speeds...

Hmm... a conundrum. If there were a way to route the drive of the generator such that it was independent of the clutch, like in a car, that could be an option, but that'd take a slightly longer engine shaft or a short jackshaft to drive the generator and clutch. Not impossible. Just not easy.

You just wouldn't want it on your main drive chain.

Tim
 
Last edited:
Thanks Tim... most of it a little over my head. Algebra was a LONG time ago for me. I think I've forgotten more than I knew, lol. Thanks for working out the numbers for me (I just looked at your age and I see you still have brain cells). I'm going to work out a way to charge the battery while riding. I don't understand how yet, but I am going to get some people to put their heads together and figure out a way. I bet the boys at the bike or motorcycle shop could give me some ideas. Will have to check that out when I get the chance. I don't know about the shaft for the generator... I will have to let greater minds than mine help me think about that, lol. Thanks for the ideas!
 
Back
Top