firekdp wrote:For a DC conversion the stator needs a small mod. The earth connection on the lighting coils needs to be broken and a new wire added. The podtronics could be swapped for a cheap rectifier from Maplins (about £3) but then a zener diode would need to be fitted (plug into junction box) to regulate the voltage.

Without a doubt this conversion is the best and is really very easy. I fitted the Podtronics and it worked without a battery except the DC horn didn't have enough oomph. It was suggested to fit a capacitor but there was no guarantee this would solve the problem. I fitted a 2Ah battery (small and just two wires), as I already had this, but this isn't enough to drive the pathfinders for long around town, probably better on the open road where you need them. You can get cheaper reg/rectifiers by Wassell. These seem to be a copy of the Podtronics and reliable, as I'm told by a classic bike dealer. The plus side is these can be picked up really cheap too...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BSA-NORTON-TRIUMP ... 240%3A1318.
Monty wrote:I have looked at the Podtronics one and not happy about modding the stator end to be 2 wire, and I dont have a battery at the mo.
To modify the stator is really simple, and if your worried about access to non standard parts at rallies etc. you could get a spare for £24 (see above link) or you could re-connect a std 12v regulator and connect the the "new" yellow that was added to earth on the frame.
I've now converted both my scooters to this plus my spare stator and fitted them with m/cycle plug connectors, I've also made a small plug in conversion for my Ducati regulator, should the need arise to revert back in an emergency (I'll post some pics later).
Getting back to the original question, with this conversion, I reckon you could run Pathfinders without a battery, maybe not two at once, but one fog or one spot at a time, with a 120 watt stator and you can get 35 watt halogens, which will help over the 48 watt standard bulbs. You could try a capacitor for the horn but a low Ah battery should do the trick (small and available from Maplin (or an auto electrical supplier at less than half the price)). But for a really good system fit a 7Ah battery, according to my calcs I could run two spots plus an H4 headlamp for around 1 1/2 hours off this without charge (125watts/7Ah= 10.5 Amps, 10.5/7Ah=1 1/2 hours) and everything is sorted
The H4 conversion is my next project, especially as an H7 LED headlamp bulb is available, H4 soon perhaps?