White wire? How much juice?

[moronic_kaos]

How many volts/watts flow through that little white wire (accessory wire if I'm not mistaken)? Reason is I'm trying to get a suitable voltage regulator. My multimeter is on the fritz right now so I can't really check it myself unfortunately...



Thanks,

- Kevin B.

 

[Ted]

You don't need a voltage regulator unless you have a battery,,,do you have a battery?

 

[moronic_kaos]

You need it so a bulb wont pop at a high RPM, and to make a functional blinker circuit. My tomos has a voltage regulator for the lights, and there's no battery integrated into the system.

 

[Ted]

If the alternator/generator put out more than 14.5 volts, which is a standard chargeing system output, then there would be a problem. Your car/truck works quite nicely at these voltages shunting what the vehicle doesn't use to the battery, I think I would be more concerned about how many amps is available, as and example: your key fob has a 12v battery in it to lock/unlock your vehicle but it sure won't start the engine.

 

[2door]

How many volts/watts flow through that little white wire (accessory wire if I'm not mistaken)? Reason is I'm trying to get a suitable voltage regulator. My multimeter is on the fritz right now so I can't really check it myself unfortunately...



Thanks,

- Kevin B.

The white wire wil provide anywhere from 6 to 9 volts ac, depending on engine rpm. The wattage is very low, somewhere in the 2.5 to 3 watt range. If you use the white wire for lights the lamps must be kept to a maximum of 3 watts. If you're charging a 6 volt battery keep in mind the current is AC, (alternating current).
Tom

 

[moronic_kaos]

The white wire wil provide anywhere from 6 to 9 volts ac, depending on engine rpm. The wattage is very low, somewhere in the 2.5 to 3 watt range. If you use the white wire for lights the lamps must be kept to a maximum of 3 watts. If you're charging a 6 volt battery keep in mind the current is AC, (alternating current).
Tom

Woww only 3 watts, yea I probably don't need a regulator for that. Thanks everyone.

 

[Cabinfever1977]

6-9volts 3watts and 0.5amps, yeah can't do much with that.
Don't need no regulator. Maybe good for leds and low power lights.
I still prefer my 18volt rechargable battery and car lights.

 

[Ted]

Like it was mentioned,,this is AC power, you will need someway to turn it into DC to be able to use it for any LED lights.

 

[BarelyAWake]

Ya know Ted... I also thought that was the case, but Norm's full light kit includes a taillight with 3 tiny LEDs that seems to work just fine

mebbe Norm's got the juju heh... mebbe o.o

 

[anim8r]

bump

(most digestible version of this info I've seen so far)

 

[young grease monkey]

the way you turn it into dc is a diode. it's like a one-way valve for electricity. so i think LEDs might work, but it would flash at low rpm. and then you get siezures at 30 mph!

 

[Cavi Mike]

The main problem isn't using the diode, it's knowing which way to install it. The stator/magneto/whatever it's called sends out a pulse at TDC and BDC(one forward/positive polarity, one reverse/negative); you need to draw power from the BDC pulse or else it draws power from the spark and your engine won't fire. I honestly don't know which way to install it because I haven't messed with it yet but I soon will.

 

[trug]

Voltage Regulated [5v] Bicycle Dynamo Light & USB Charger

shows how to build a rectifier/ regulator for something putting out 6v 3watt .5 amps (he gets it from a bottle dynamo but the current is the same as the white wire). he uses it to charge his phone and power an led flashlight while riding his bike but you can take the same energy and run one of the hundreds of home built led bike lights you can find on indestructibles.com.

Just remember that .5 amp =500mA and you will have losses in your rectifier. With a battery you can have a more powerful light (500mA +) but it wont last forever.