Mk3 Podtronic fitting

I've just bought a podtronic unit for my Mk3, with the intention of losing the original rectifier, zener diodes, and blue can capacitor.

I'm reasonably happy with the wiring although I have zero empathy with anything electrical and really have to think it through...every time unfortunately.

The problem is locating the Podtronic; the bike is standard including the black plastic air box, but it has heavy duty starter cables and a replacement starter solenoid.

I had hoped to site it pretty much where the old rectifier lives but it's pretty tight in there and I can't see how I'm ever going to get the battery back in with that large finned block in the way.

Has anyone got any photos please of a standard Mk3 with a podtronic fitted?......or suggestions for a location.

I have searched all the Podtronic posts I can find on the assumption that someone else has had the problem and fixed it, but if it's there I can't find it.

Help! ................Mick...........kettle738

I have a Mk 111 with Podtronics fitted via an upside down U bracket as far to the right and back(right by oil tank) as it will go. It is very tight but possible, I have a Varta YTX14 BS in there .If you fit it all up and still can't get it in just grind the fins down slightly on the pod unit.
If you're anywhere near Liverpool you are welcome to come have a look.
sam

Hi Sam, thank you for that, I have a yellow Motobat battery which fits within the battery tray easily, but I was looking at the spot you have fitted your Podtronic, top right corner of the battery area next to the oil tank and thinking there aint no way it's going to fit in there......now I know it can be done so I'll look again.

I'm also thinking about attaching it to the rear mudguard if it can be done without fouling the seat. I found a few threads on Podtronic fitting but none of them covered a standard Mk3 with the plastic airbox.......one way or another it will get done.

On another note, my Podtronic instructions came with some handwritten script to the effect that the yellow wires from the unit should be wired directly to the alternator output leads avoiding the wiring harness....I guess there is probably a good reason for that, but as I'm an electronics dullwit I have no idea what it might be......how did you wire yours?

Mick.............Kettle738

Hi Mick,
send me a pm with your address to trident.sams@virgin.net and I will scan my instructions
and send you a copy. I presume you have the 200 watt version of the podtronics unit.
sam

Is there room for it here? My understanding is the yellow wires directly to stator wires and black and red to the battery. Then the podtronics maintains the current charging the battery.

Unfortunately the MkIII battery tray area is compromised by the plastic airbox, if you want to use a full size battery then there is precious little room left.

Since the original post I've gone over it again and found the Podtronic will sit very happily with room to spare on the back of the airbox where there is a flat section that could almost have been made for the purpose, with plenty of clearance around the battery etc.

Not wishing to drill the airbox I've attached it with a couple of strips of double sided adhesive thin foam......this is the stuff that is used to attach badges and number plates to cars; once it sticks it is stuck for the duration, it's very secure....with a discreet black cable tie for insurance.

The upside is, it's very easy to get at, the wiring is simple and accessible from this location, it's neat and unobtrusive and with a thin blade I can cut it off and move it if need be without leaving a trace.

The downside is it's possibly the very worst place in terms of heat transfer to stick it to a plastic surface, but I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

As to wiring, it was easy enough to wire the yellow leads directly to the alternator outputs so that has been done, if I get the time I'll re fit the battery today and see if it works.......thanks for the help and advice, much appreciated.

Mick..........kettle738

Fiddly I know, but there is loads of space under the battery tray where the twin horns used to sit, if still fitted the space is limited. I replaced the horns with a one off modern scrap Honda moped and noticed that there was large space left. This is a good thread for me as I was also looking to update my MKIII electrics to the modern world this year.

I did look at the underside of the battery tray, but I think it would need to be fitted at the construction phase as access to that area once the bike is in one piece would be a nightmare.

The Podtronics is now connected up......battery in and everything works thus far as it did before I started which is always a good sign.....however, I didn't have time to start the bike as I was dragged out of the garage by a higher authority, but I did wonder........with the Podtronic fitted and all the original equipment (zeners, rectifier etc) disconnected.........is the charge warning light still going to work?

This may seem obvious to those with a knack for electrics but it's far from obvious to me......any views on Podtronics and charge warning lights?

Mick............kettle738

I answered my own question about wiring the assimilator......it's blindingly obvious really.....since I disconnected the wiring harness leads from the alternator and wired the Podtronic direct to it then the assimilator was no longer in circuit, so it couldn't possibly work.

I connected the two alternator posts on the assimilator to the Podtronic and started her up.......good news, the charge warning light works perfectly, goes out pretty much immediately and it is clearly charging just fine.

Just an MOT and perhaps a Pazon igntion to do and it's time to put some miles on it.

Mick.........kettle738

A natural place to mount your reg/rec/cap unit:



RS