wiring headlight setup...please help

[blckwlfny1]

i have poured over posts as to how to wire my particular headlight setup and i have reached one unavoidable conclusion: I HAVE NO CLUE about electrical circuits other than positive is "hot", negative is not and there's a switch 2 lights and a battery somewhere in between...
...( i love that smiley BTW)
That being said, i would really appreciate a little help if possible
here's what i have:
1) a lantern (big Beam) sealed beam light...selected for its EXACT similarity to the headlight on the TS 100 bike im trying to reproduce...6v, 3watt
2) the grubee skyhawk 2-cycle motor
3) tail light not selected...subject to system requirements
4) a desire to keep this as simple as possible and meddle with the engine minimally

i was considering a "wonderful creations" 6v generator and a direct hookup to the lights. can it be that simple?
Does the physical load that the generator puts on the motor affect the performance?
any and all suggestions would be appreciated
thanks

[GearNut]

3 watts is the maximum output that the white wire alternator is rated to put out.
In reality most struggle to put out 2 watts. A very common problem with trying to power lights off of the white wire is it will kill the signal going to the CDI box and you will have no spark. Some folks get lucky and can start the engine then after it is running they can turn on the light switch and the engine will still run. Sometimes this will only work at higher engine speeds though. The engine will die at idle speeds.

To properly charge a battery you will need a rectifier/ regulator between the alternator and battery. This is due to the fact that batteries produce and charge with DC or Direct Current. Alternators produce AC or Alternating Current. The two do not play well with each other at all.
The very least you can get away with using is using a single diode rated at 6 volts 3 watts. This will give you a pulsed DC current. Still you will have no regulator to regulate the voltage to no higher than 6 volts.
Radio Shack does still sell the diodes. They even sell voltage regulators on a little IC chip, but if you are not familiar with simple electronic circuitry this may get frustrating very quickly for you.

Edit: The Wonderful Creations alternator has received a bad review on every one I have read.
It is a good idea that unfortunately does not work as is desired or advertised to.
The one benefit it does have is it will not kill the spark when used at maximum output, which tends to be less than the white wire output that your engine all ready has.

Norman has a thread on rewinding a mag for more power. There you can learn alot about them.
http://motorbicycling.com/f39/windin...ire-14619.html

[Dave31]

Here is some photos of a bike from DR and he is running a 6v lantern for head light and tail light all powered by the white wire.

[city of angels]

if you want to go a different route i install a fog light set from walmart and a motorcycle battery 7 aph and thats bright enough for me if you go to the search bar and type upgrades you could see apicture of my trike with lighting system install

[r00t4rd3d]

Part #1 - Battery

Super Mini Moto Pocket Bike 12 Volt Battery Parts 49cc: eBay Motors (item 170269544430 end time Sep-26-10 02:01:22 PDT)

Part#2 - Regulator/Rectifier

12V GY6 Moped ATV Dirt Bike Voltage Regulator Rectifier: eBay Motors (item 140425533358 end time Sep-07-10 08:09:26 PDT)

Optional part #3 but it has the wiring directions - Reg/Rec Pigtail

6V OR 12V REG/REC PIGTAIL JIALING ZONGSHEN CLONE ENGINE: eBay Motors (item 350192184985 end time Sep-10-10 23:22:43 PDT)

Im 99% sure this setup would power a suitable 12v light and keep the battery charged. I would run the light threw a On/Off switch only using it at night to allow the battery to be good and charged when needed.

I am gonna try this setup soon and see how it works.

:O

[TheE]

How does that setup convert the white wire's output to 12V?

[r00t4rd3d]

It doesn't. The 6v white wire will trickle charge the 12v battery. You run your lights off the battery.

[blckwlfny1]

Originally Posted by r00t4rd3d

Part #1 - Battery

Super Mini Moto Pocket Bike 12 Volt Battery Parts 49cc: eBay Motors (item 170269544430 end time Sep-26-10 02:01:22 PDT)

Part#2 - Regulator/Rectifier

12V GY6 Moped ATV Dirt Bike Voltage Regulator Rectifier: eBay Motors (item 140425533358 end time Sep-07-10 08:09:26 PDT)

Optional part #3 but it has the wiring directions - Reg/Rec Pigtail

6V OR 12V REG/REC PIGTAIL JIALING ZONGSHEN CLONE ENGINE: eBay Motors (item 350192184985 end time Sep-10-10 23:22:43 PDT)

Im 99% sure this setup would power a suitable 12v light and keep the battery charged. I would run the light threw a On/Off switch only using it at night to allow the battery to be good and charged when needed.

I am gonna try this setup soon and see how it works.

:O

this looks GREAT! But i am using a 6v light. which rectifier would work?

[r00t4rd3d]

I dont know if you should run a 6v light off a 12v battery. Might be too much power and pop bulbs or burst into flames.

I am just guessing here but you could probably use a 6v battery and a 6v reg/rec. Why you would want to when you have 6v for free coming from your engine ? The only plus I see to doing this would be full light power no matter the rpms and being able to turn the lights on when the bike isnt running ?

6v battery
PS-640F Power Sonic Replacement SLA Battery (6.00 Volts 4.50 AmpH) - High quality and lowest price guaranteed

6v reg/rec
6V REGULATOR RECTIFIER LIFAN 50CC 70CC 90CC 110CC 125CC: eBay Motors (item 120408499281 end time Sep-10-10 22:06:39 PDT)


Also note Ive never tried this mod with a motorized bicycle , 6v or 12v , only dirt bikes. Im gonna order all the 12v stuff and try it. I'm fairly confident that it will work fine. I think sticking to a 30-50watt bulb wont drain the battery faster then the engine can charge it.

[TheE]

Originally Posted by r00t4rd3d

It doesn't. The 6v white wire will trickle charge the 12v battery. You run your lights off the battery.

Wait, I'm confused...you need to have an output higher than the battery's terminal voltage in order to charge it. Do high RPMs cause the white wire to output over 12V or something? I've never gotten a chance to measure it...