Scooterotica

J1MS wrote:Schematic on its way for 12 volt ac.. .....Just waiting for some assistance with the drawing then I will post...

I'd be very interested in seeing that JIMS, I'm currently running a set up very similar to firedp' schematic but using the DC output to charge a 12 7.2 Ah battery and now with a zener across the output of the rectifier. The main problem is that I could only get 12 or 15 volt zeners in 5 watt ratting It does work but its putting out over 15volts even with the headlight on

Amazingly, it hasn't fried the zeners yet I took Byrons advice and have fixed them to an ally plate (insulated from the frame) and positioned it in the air scoop.

coaster wrote:Amazingly, it hasn't fried the zeners yet I took Byrons advice and have fixed them to an ally plate (insulated from the frame) and positioned it in the air scoop.

I was thinking about that earlier, my air scoop is not insulated from the frame.
but then, my setup is different to yours, and perhaps shouldn't really work ?? but i was still getting between 11-14.5v DC on my meter on the 35 mile ride home from yours, most of that high revs. admittedly there was no load.
I [nearly] feel confident enough to fit another tacho, and hope i don't fry this one...
or just get a Vespa unit ?

here's a basic diagram of mine :

should that work
[blatantly copied firekdp's drawing, cheers ]

Similar to mine, but how is the rectifier wired..??

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?

Soulsurfer that is very clearly explained and looks like a simple system to set up....I like it.....and only a matter of detatching an earth at the stator then attaching another feed from it to the Podtronics then fit a battery and dc power is available....This looks like it could be a very simple and relatively cheap conversion.....Keep us posted.....

When the Podtronics is supplied, does it come complete with an internal circuit diagram...??

J1MS wrote:Similar to mine, but how is the rectifier wired..??

by trying all combinations til i got some DC...
it had no instructions, no markings on it, and no help from where i bought it...

soulsurfer wrote: 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.

yeah, these do look worth a punt.

soulsurfer wrote:... or you could re-connect a std 12v regulator and connect the the "new" yellow that was added to earth on the frame.

of course, simple solution

all good stuff.

J1MS wrote: When the Podtronics is supplied, does it come complete with an internal circuit diagram...??

You'd be lucky, I think that may be giving away their trade secret It's all sealed in the back as well

Here's the pics of the final install and the plug in Ducati unit. In case of emergency, just plug and play...

Fantastic infomation, very helpful. Just a question, if this conversion to dc is done on an original ac machine does the ignition switch have to be changed to a dc one? Or can an ordinary switch be use to isolate the battery so it doesnt discharge