Got a generator today - Now a question

Racing421 · #1 01-15-2009, 11:11 PM

All this "white wire" stuff gives me a headache! I just don't want to dilute any juice to my spark, so I am planning on connecting this 12 volt generator/front/rear light kit.
The generator has two taps, "T" and "H" and if my ohmmeter is right, it appears the "T" is ground (no resistance from the "T" to the shell of the gen.
Can anybody tell me what these two letters stand for?
Also, since this generator is made for a conventional bike, I was wondering if the higher revolutions could cause the lights to burn out prematurely. Maybe I could attach a larger wheel to slow the RPS down. Anyone have any experience with this?

Racing421 · #2 01-16-2009, 11:51 AM

Just to add something to my previous post..........I purchased a 12v sealed lead acid battery that I want to tie in to the 12v generator.....Do I need any type of voltage regulator circuit or can I just wire the dynamo directly to the battery?

Motormac · #3 01-16-2009, 12:29 PM

We have to assume here that the generator is putting out 12 volts? Is there a picture of this generator or a link to a picture? Im pretty sure H is the hot wire and T is negative.

MB-Monkey · #4 01-16-2009, 12:39 PM

Currently i am working on a simple 12V inclusive circuit for Head/Tail (flashing) and turn signals. The 12V sealed battery will run your circuit, but not sure if the generator would "charge" the battery.

Higher RPMs should not generate more than 12v as i am sure that is the MAX output for the unit; therefore, your lights should not burn our prematurely. (thats a nice compound sentence)

As for the "T and H" logic would dictate, since it is a duel light setup, that the "T" would be for TAIL LIGHT and the "H" would be for HEAD LIGHT. The ground would be completed by mounting the units.

Hope this helps

Youngbird · #5 01-16-2009, 12:58 PM

Racing421....T=Tail and H=Head. Pretty sure the lights and the gen. ground to the frame. DUH for me....guess I should have read all the way down, sorry.

5-7HEAVEN · #6 01-16-2009, 02:05 PM

One of my projects is an electrical system using this:

eBay Motors: New Very Small Alternator Mini Generator 15-100Watts (item 110337437858 end time Jan-20-09 02:38:14 PST)

which will be belted onto:

Motorized Bicycles Detail Page

Racing421 · #7 01-16-2009, 03:10 PM

Thanks! I never thought it would be for head/tail. When I see two taps, I'm thinking positive and negative...........Are you sure the T doesn't stand for "Taiwan Ground" and the H for "Hong Gaw Positive?"
Now I'm thinking I will tap both H/T and run them straight to the battery Positive, then power the lights thru a switch back to the battery.
If anyone can shed some light (no pun intended) on whether this 12v dynamo (yes, it is marked 12v 6 watt) will charge my battery?
I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't.
Thanks again for all your help!!!!!!!!!!

MB-Monkey · #8 01-16-2009, 03:22 PM

well i was discussing this with the wife as a sounding board so take that in mind.

A 12V may require more voltage then the generator can put out. For instance, In a car setup the battery runs at 12V but the Alternator runs at 13.8V enough to place energy back into the battery. Saying that, with a 12V supply to the battery you would not discharge your lead battery as fast but eventually it would need to be put on a full recharge. I would think it should hold a good usable charge for days if not weeks with the 12v Gen hooked up to the leads.

This also solves the issue of the lights dying when stopped so i would wire the lights thru the switch to the battery and see if the gen saves the charge in the lead battery. even a small seal battery should run a light setup for days before discharge.

Racing421 · #9 01-16-2009, 08:38 PM

Thanks, Huffy!
The sealed battery I ordered is a 7.5 amp hour SLA, and they claim it can be charged hundreds of times. It's only 6"x2.6"w x 3.6"tall...........Maybe I'll spin the 12v generator with a drill (not too fast) and see how many volts it puts out at higher RPMs..........I'll let you all know.

Racing421 · #10 01-16-2009, 09:55 PM

OK, I just had a moment of concern................If I hard wire the generator to the battery, is there any issue with the generator "draining" the battery while the bike sits in the garage???????????
I just don't know if the generator creates resistance while sitting at idle. I'd hate to drain a good battery to find this out. I could always put a switch to break the positive going to the generator, but I don't want to do this needlessly.

Help!!!!!

I know, I have way too much time on my hands, thanks to the "W" economy.