The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

on, the battery might become discharged. There is an article on the group site under \files\electrics
which explains why it's OK to run a 6v generator into a 12v system, it is well worth reading. It seems the
most important thing is to control the rate of increase of charge rather than to limit the maximum
voltage. This is what the black box regulator does. The most interesting part of the article to me is that
a 6v 60Watt dynamo when run at 12v will produce around 100 Watts (theoretically 120W but losses
reduce this). This means that you can run higher wattage headlight bulbs etc. Obviously you don't get
something for nothing and the biggest one is that charging starts at higher revs than before. Other
people might be able to give you some ideas about why your dynamo has failed, but I'm sure it's not
been caused by having a small battery. You say it lasted 100 miles. Is this 100miles on a
new(reconditioned) dynamo or 100 miles since you went to 12v? If it's 100 miles on a new dynamo I'd
be speaking to whoever supplied it!
#1766 Here`s more info: Battery: small 12V and about 3-4amps. Dynamo: history unknown, but can
be more than 10 years since conversion to 12V,we did all the tests described in service manual and
nothing worked, it won`t spin with outside battery and meter shows nothing when running. So maybe
it`s hours are up... Regulator: metal box under seat in top of rear fender, painted grey "hammer
laquer",main fuse on the right side 15a and next to it green led which lights when charging, so what
make is that? It had broken diode which I replaced (kept burning that main fuse). Box has lid which is
detached with four small screws. My friend has left over Alton generator from Gold Star single and I`m
gonna try that one soon as I can get a pulley machined to suit Venom. Any experiences with Altons?
Does it rob much power because it feels so stiff compared to Miller?
#1767 For a number of years I have lived with unsatisfactory 3.5ah 12 v lead acid battery in a hollowed
out battery case. It never had the capacity to smooth out the fluctuations in current requirements to
provide steady lights. Also, every year I had to replace it, as even when trickle charging during the
winter it never fully survived. Two years ago I replaced my lead acid battery for two 6 v 5 ah Cyclone
batteries in series www.hepi.com/monobloc.htm They hold their charge really well, and work perfectly
even after laying idle over the winter. You will need a replica case and not a hollowed out case to fit two
batteries, as they are a tight fit. For six volts either wire them in parallel or use the 6v 8ah version.
While you are at it fit a Xenon headlight bulb and get 30% extra light for no extra load.
#1770 The UK distributor is DMS Technology Ltd, www.dmstech.co.uk located in Romsey, Hampshire
(just round the corner from me). Unfortunately they have a minimum order charge of 100 pounds. They
suggested that I go to RS components. A quick look at their web page rswww.com/uk shows that the
2v 5A/H (p/n 591-483) cell is 6.25 GBP each (plus VAT) or the 2v 8A/H cell (p/n 265-1947) is 9 GBP
(plus VAT). At those prices, a 12v 5 A/H battery would cost 44 GBP and a 12v 8A/H would cost 63.45
GBP. Another solution would be for a group of like minded people to get together and place an order
greater than 100 GBP direct from the distributors?
#1772 Hi I buy my Cyclons as Kempton Autojumble approx GBP 12 for the 5 ah and GBP 15 for the 8
ah. If you can wait, I will get his phone number when I go later this month. Alternatively call CMES who
sell them all be it a little more expensively. However they will give you excellent technical support as I
have heard they have an excellent reputation on rebuilding dynamos. Their number is 01454 323434
#1773 If you go back to Fishtail # 324 page 20 I gave some details of a Cyclone battery 'contact'. I
presume he still does it.
#1775 For those of you w/6 volt lighting and Mag ignition, I recommend using a sealed lead acid gel
battery. These are available for emergency lighting and a 4.2 amp/hr unit fits perfectly in a hollowed out
Exide black rubber case. You could use 2 to create a 12v source. I have a connector wired into my
loom so that one I am not using the bike the battery is on a charge. Because the battery is sealed there
is no worries about boil over. I've been utilizing this set up for about 15 years and it works great.
#1778 I've just finished making a slightly larger battery box from sheet steel, complete with a curved lid
and bolting it to the original battery platform. It will now house a conventional lead acid battery but also
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