The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

atteries are black already, if a bit dear. There is one on my Honda XR650L - I think it's called a
Dominator in the UK. Personally, I like having lots of battery; the Venom has been used for campsite
illumination during late night work sessions on VOCNA Summer Rallys. This is the best reason for
sticking to a mag - battery condition doesn't affect engine operation. When it finally becomes so
discharged and sulphated that the dynamo field windings can't function (no charge even when revved),
buy a new one. Plus, if you leave an ignition coil powered up for very long without airflow for cooling it
can explode and spray tar everywhere. Happened to a friend's Clubman...
#100 To all of you considering of fitting either a JG or Ktec voltage regulator unit : There is one major
snag with all those electronic regulators. Once your battery is completely flat (after winter lay up) or
because the idiot riding it forgot to switch off the lights, the battery is not charged at all after a restart
(only possible with a magneto), no matter how hard you rev the engine. We experienced that there
must be sufficient voltage in the battery left to get the whole system working again. At least halve
charged ! No manufacture of the those units state this affair in their descriptions ! A mechanical
regulator instead also provides a charge to a completely flat battery
#101 I disagree that a mechanical regulator will charge a fully discharged battery. The field coils of the
dynamo must be energized first before the dynamo can function. However, the mechanical regulator
will function at a slightly lower battery voltage; the threshold voltage required by the semiconductors in
a JG (about 0.7 VDC) must be overcome. This means that a battery too flat to fire up a JG might still
work with a mechanical regulator. I remain unconvinced about no battery at all.
#102 I understand that the magneto system is much simpler, and when properly set-up is very reliable,
but, it seems to me that if the battery is kept up by regular running, and the coil(s) are of good quality,
and considering that millions of vehicles of all types use coil/battery ignition systems, if the quality of the
Boyer system is good, what would the problem be, aside from the dynamo being required for double
duty, ignition and lights? My Mac has the 12V JG unit in place with a B-B ignition system installed in a
K1F body by Dave Smith and seems to work just fine, though it has not had a great deal of usage as
yet,
#103 I recently converted my '56 MAC to 12V lights and ignition. It required rewiring the Miller Dynamo
to 12V, using the excellent JG Electronic Regulator, but I left the old regulator box on the dynamo to
look "right". I got a Boyer Bransden 12 V electronic ignition unit very nicely installed in a K1F Lucas
Mag body with new shaft and sealed bearings by Dave Smith Classic Motorcycles here in the US,
along with the required coil, a small German made unit that seems a good one. I got a 10amph battery
that is a bit small but works well. Except for the required extra wiring to be properly installed, and
retiming according to the clear instructions, that's it. The mag on my MAC needed rebuilding, so I
opted for the Electronic ignition and she starts up 2nd kick every time and often on the first if I do my
bit. Of course, you could just convert to 12V lighting and make sure the 6v mag is good shape for
ignition. My lower back is pretty bad, so any guarantee of less kicking over is happily appreciated
#108 I have tried JG's K-Tecs, dynamos with little success. I also have a Criterion type alternator
conversion. In my opinion the best solution is the Alton. It is easily fitted, well engineered, has great
performance and is aesthetically pleasing. I have had mine for 3 years, I did have a strange mechanical
failure outside the warranty period but they replaced the unit, just for the cost of the postage. Its
performance is superb - and even when you point out that you have an alternator fitted, the most
common comment is "I can't see one. I have uploaded the information files in the file storage area of
the group site, within the "Electrics" folder.
#117 The Alton was designed by a French Vincent owner, Hervé Hamon; For those who don't know the
Alton, it simply bolts on, in place of the Miller/Lucas dynamo and is belt driven as per the original. If you
wish later to go back to the standard instrument, this is simple, other than the rest of the bike being 12v
equipped.
#121 All the details on the Alton have been uploaded to the files section of the Velocette e group. Try
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