Scooterotica

I can't understand this. My Lambretta is converted to 12V DC with a Wassel unit fitted. Checking the output from this I get over 12V to the battery with the engine running, yet after maybe 60 or 70 miles of riding my battery hasn't enough charge to keep the lights running? The battery held charge all over winter without use. Come to use the bloody scooter and the battery flattens with use. I ride with a higher powered bulb in the headlight, 35W I think, but surely this shouldn't discharge a battery that is being topped up by the Wassel unit?
It's a good job I don't ride anywhere in the dark, I'd need cycle lights fitted

You should be aiming for 14.4v with the engine running. This gives enough power to keep the lights running and charge the battery.

You may need to check that you are getting the basic raw voltage out of the stator. This should be more than 14.4volts before it reaches the Wassell, though you will need a few revs on the engine first.

I hope this helps your investigations.

Thanks Martin, the stator unit had been the cause of many a problem last year and I thought I'd finally got it sorted. Maybe a new uprated stator is the way to go.
Is there anything other than the BGM 120W stators available, preferably 12V DC?

One of these?
http://beedspeed.com/lambretta-stator-p ... -9269.html

The standard stators are very marginal, with the lights on you will only see a very modest rise above the battery voltage, 14 volts would only be visible with the lights off. The BGM stator is probably your best option (slight mod required for Wassel).

Thanks Coaster, I only use the lights for added daytime visibility, I have Pathfinders fitted with LED bulbs, I'll try using those for a while and see what the outcome is. Are there any issues swapping a "standard" stator for the BGM one?

coaster wrote:The standard stators are very marginal, with the lights on you will only see a very modest rise above the battery voltage, 14 volts would only be visible with the lights off. The BGM stator is probably your best option (slight mod required for Wassel).

Apart from adding the extra yellow and re-strobing the timing there are no issues that I know of with the BGM and the LT and pickup coils are of a far higher quality. Apart from slightly biggerlighting coils, the BGM has more laminations in the core which helps with the increased output.

coaster wrote:Apart from adding the extra yellow and re-strobing the timing there are no issues that I know of with the BGM and the LT and pickup coils are of a far higher quality. Apart from slightly biggerlighting coils, the BGM has more laminations in the core which helps with the increased output.

The bit that worries me

If you are satisfied that your existing setup is timed correctly then all you need to do is strobe it before you remove the old stator and check mark the point on the mag housing that the arrow on the flywheel points to. Put a dab of Tippex on the arrow to make it easier to see. Fit the new stator, re-fit flywheel and check with the strobe to see how far out the arrow is and move the stator clockwise or anti clockwise until it lines up. Strobes can be picked up off ebay for around £15.

Do you have an inline fuse on your battery, may be worth checking. My set up is only a 2.4aph battery running lights and a pathfinder and the battery has never been flat. Nothing special with the stator just the extra wire

Monty wrote:Do you have an inline fuse on your battery, may be worth checking. My set up is only a 2.4aph battery running lights and a pathfinder and the battery has never been flat. Nothing special with the stator just the extra wire

I have an inline fuse and it's still intact. Battery is 5.0 AH