Has anyone adapted a jap bike alternator to a Commando. I was hoping for 250W to 300W output and crankshaft mounted, similar to the standard mounting. thanks
ando

Ando, what do you want? Are going to make an arc welding set up?

More alt out put will increase the engine load, won't it?

Sorry mate, don't mean to be rude, but higher power standard set ups seem plenty.

Cheers Richard

ando wrote:Has anyone adapted a jap bike alternator to a Commando. I was hoping for 250W to 300W output and crankshaft mounted, similar to the standard mounting. thanks
ando

When I was designing my fuel injection setup I needed more power to run the datalogging equipment on my bike. I mounted an alternator from an Excelsior Henderson on the end of the crankshaft. It is close to the same size as the Lucas but puts out 450 watts. It uses an external rotor so a mounting plate and an adapter for the end of the crank needed to be designed. Unfortunately the Excelsior Henderson alternator is no longer available but I suspect with some research something similar could be found. {Ducati}
I seldom use the datalogging equipment now but the alternator is great. With 3 HID headlamps and a heated vest and gloves the voltage stays at 14.5 volts even at idle. The alternator only pulls the power needed to maintain the voltage at 14.5. If the electrical load is lowered then the alternator pulls no more power than a stock alternator. Actually it is probably less. The original alternator uses a shunt type regulator so it runs at full load all the time and the excess power [if there is any] is wasted heating the footpeg mounts. Jim

do I sense a kit in tht offing?



JD

comnoz wrote:

ando wrote:Has anyone adapted a jap bike alternator to a Commando. I was hoping for 250W to 300W output and crankshaft mounted, similar to the standard mounting. thanks
ando

When I was designing my fuel injection setup I needed more power to run the datalogging equipment on my bike. I mounted an alternator from an Excelsior Henderson on the end of the crankshaft. It is close to the same size as the Lucas but puts out 450 watts. It uses an external rotor so a mounting plate and an adapter for the end of the crank needed to be designed. Unfortunately the Excelsior Henderson alternator is no longer available but I suspect with some research something similar could be found. {Ducati}
I seldom use the datalogging equipment now but the alternator is great. With 3 HID headlamps and a heated vest and gloves the voltage stays at 14.5 volts even at idle. The alternator only pulls the power needed to maintain the voltage at 14.5. If the electrical load is lowered then the alternator pulls no more power than a stock alternator. Actually it is probably less. The original alternator uses a shunt type regulator so it runs at full load all the time and the excess power [if there is any] is wasted heating the footpeg mounts. Jim

jeffdavison wrote:do I sense a kit in tht offing?



JD

comnoz wrote:

ando wrote:Has anyone adapted a jap bike alternator to a Commando. I was hoping for 250W to 300W output and crankshaft mounted, similar to the standard mounting. thanks
ando

When I was designing my fuel injection setup I needed more power to run the datalogging equipment on my bike. I mounted an alternator from an Excelsior Henderson on the end of the crankshaft. It is close to the same size as the Lucas but puts out 450 watts. It uses an external rotor so a mounting plate and an adapter for the end of the crank needed to be designed. Unfortunately the Excelsior Henderson alternator is no longer available but I suspect with some research something similar could be found. {Ducati}
I seldom use the datalogging equipment now but the alternator is great. With 3 HID headlamps and a heated vest and gloves the voltage stays at 14.5 volts even at idle. The alternator only pulls the power needed to maintain the voltage at 14.5. If the electrical load is lowered then the alternator pulls no more power than a stock alternator. Actually it is probably less. The original alternator uses a shunt type regulator so it runs at full load all the time and the excess power [if there is any] is wasted heating the footpeg mounts. Jim

I have flirted with the idea. Right now I'm having trouble keeping up with what I have going. Jim

Thanks for that Jim, I will have a look at what the wreckers has in Ducati alternators.
Stockie as I have got older I notice the cold more so I have bought a heated vest, fitted handlebar heaters and am going to fit a heated seat pad. The 180W alternator is just not up to the job so I am looking to upgrade before winter arrives.
Ando

Does anyone know what type of magnets are in factory alternator or other similar rotors in cycles?