I’m working on my lighting right now and read many of the applicable posts. The consensus appears to be that the white wire can be used to power a 6v system of limited power requirements. I also read and verified that it is AC and shorting it or drawing too much power from the wire will kill the spark. A full wave bridge was suggested to convert to DC which would be more appropriate for a charging/battery/lighting system. I also read that the CDI is powered from only one half of the AC wave. If true, there may be some other options for a lighting system.
I used a half wave rectifier to verify this. With the engine idling, I connected a diode to the white wire and shorted it to the frame. The engine died. I restarted the engine and reversed the diode and shorted it to the frame. Even with a direct short the engine slowed only very slightly. Using this half wave rectifier configuration, I should be able to have what ever electrical load the system can provide without significantly affecting the spark.
The voltage appears to vary with RPM. The RMS (average) voltage of a half wave rectifier is .707 times that of the AC or full wave RMS voltage. I’m going to experiment with some simple electrical systems on my bike using a single diode for half wave rectification, a capacitor, maybe a battery and zener diode for regulation. I’m planning on doing a 6v system but because of the half wave rectifier, I may have to use a lower voltage system.
If anyone has looked into any of the above, I would like to hear about it. I’ll post again after I have some results.
I live in California. To comply with the laws, I need to operate as a moped. That means a one time $18 plate fee and the proper equipment. A stoplamp and horn are required. I plan on driving at night, so I also need a headlamp and taillamp. The brightness requirements for a moped are less than for other vehicles, so I’m hoping that the alternator on the engine can provide enough power. I will use LEDs in at least the taillamp and stoplamp. I plan on using an electric horn even though a mechanical horn might be legal
I used a half wave rectifier to verify this. With the engine idling, I connected a diode to the white wire and shorted it to the frame. The engine died. I restarted the engine and reversed the diode and shorted it to the frame. Even with a direct short the engine slowed only very slightly. Using this half wave rectifier configuration, I should be able to have what ever electrical load the system can provide without significantly affecting the spark.
The voltage appears to vary with RPM. The RMS (average) voltage of a half wave rectifier is .707 times that of the AC or full wave RMS voltage. I’m going to experiment with some simple electrical systems on my bike using a single diode for half wave rectification, a capacitor, maybe a battery and zener diode for regulation. I’m planning on doing a 6v system but because of the half wave rectifier, I may have to use a lower voltage system.
If anyone has looked into any of the above, I would like to hear about it. I’ll post again after I have some results.
I live in California. To comply with the laws, I need to operate as a moped. That means a one time $18 plate fee and the proper equipment. A stoplamp and horn are required. I plan on driving at night, so I also need a headlamp and taillamp. The brightness requirements for a moped are less than for other vehicles, so I’m hoping that the alternator on the engine can provide enough power. I will use LEDs in at least the taillamp and stoplamp. I plan on using an electric horn even though a mechanical horn might be legal
