Capacitor instead of battery?

Has anyone replaced their battery with a capacitor? MKII. I'm just curious how it works for you.

Johnnymac said:

Has anyone replaced their battery with a capacitor?

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Are you talking about something big enough to provide starting capacity? Of course, they already have the 2MC (99-0737) capacitor to allow running without a battery, but I'm guessing you're thinking in grander terms. I don't think there's a capacitor design out there that has the ability to store power long-term (like a battery).

Agree - the oem commando can start without a battery anyway. But if you are looking to replace the batt with something lighter, a Shorai batt is barely heavier than a capacitor.

I run my 850 without a battery, I have a battery eliminator that replaces the capacitor, zenor and recterfier, my Norton has a Joe Hunt maggie so don't need power to start up, but I run all my lights, brake light, tail light straight off my altenator throught the battery eliminator, it works for me but I don't do much night riding on my Norton but they work ok if need to run my head light, but if you use the brake light the head light will dull out a little, but it works for me, the best thing is I never have to worry about a battery ever again.

Ashley

Johnnymac said:

Has anyone replaced their battery with a capacitor? MKII. I'm just curious how it works for you.

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I watched it for years, first hand. My Brother had a BSA chopper with no battery... ("expert" at local bike shop sold him a nice capacitor "battery eliminator") he'd kick, and kick, and swear, and kick, and throw shit, and swear, and kick. Lather rinse, repeat. Notice the helmet split in two, now taped back together with electrical tape.



And then sometimes the sunofabitch would just quit whilst underway....

From all the things I've read... it just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to remove the battery... "Weight reduction" not really applicable anymore when you can get a shorai that weighs next to nothing. Thanks Guys.

Johnnymac said:

From all the things I've read... it just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to remove the battery... "Weight reduction" not really applicable anymore when you can get a shorai that weighs next to nothing. Thanks Guys.

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Even 35 years ago, a very small FLA battery from a dirt bike would have made life so much nicer.... even at 2-3 lbs. :roll:

I used to run my early 750 without a battery all the time, with the MC2. But around 78 or so I think the alternator started loosing magnetism and it became a real pain to start. Now I just use a battery, but it was cool not to have one. At least for me. I doubt it will start without a battery with the EI, although I did come home with the battery disconnected once, but it was running at the time, the battery bolt came loose. Can't remember if I was using the AAU or Pazon at the time. It acted kinda strange at low rpm's.

I am with Ashman. I have a battery eliminator and a magneto. Life is good!

Slick