What's involved and is it worth it?
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Previously wrote: Iâm run…
Previously wrote:
Iâm running my WD16H at 12V, 40W dynamo with standard armature.
Whats involved â 12V regulator, battery and bulbs. Most of the electronic regulators give you the option of wiring for either 12V or 6V. You can also change the armature to a 12V one but I havenât bothered. They have twice the number of windings, so a finer wire which is supposedly more fragile.
Is it worth it? â opinions vary. How often and far do you ride at night? I did it because I canât resist changing things.
Pluses - 12V is more tolerant of the odd poor connection, more reliably bright (ha ha) lights.
Minuses - the revs at which the dynamo produces enough charge to balance the draw rises, unless you have changed armature. So extended around town night riding could possibly drain your battery.
I have fitted LED pilot and tail/brake lights, which draw almost nothing so the ammeter shows positive even at very slow speeds for daytime lights on riding. And at 30MPH with 35W headlamp on I get a positive ammeter reading.
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Thanks Iain for your very…
Thanks Iain for your very helpful response. Since I don't ride at night I'm not sure it 's going to be worth the effort.
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Iâm running my WD16H at 12V, 40W dynamo with standardarmature.
Whats involved â 12V regulator, battery and bulbs. Most ofthe electronic regulators give you the option of wiring for either 12V or 6V.You can also change the armature to a 12V one but I havenât bothered. They havetwice the number of windings, so a finer wire which is supposedly more fragile.
Is it worth it? â opinions vary. How often and far do youride at night? I did it because I canât resist changing things.
Pluses - 12V is more tolerant of the odd poor connection, morereliably bright (ha ha) lights.
Minuses - the revs at which the dynamo produces enoughcharge to balance the draw rises, unless you have changed armature. So extendedaround town night riding could possibly drain your battery.
I have fitted LED pilot and tail/brake lights, which drawalmost nothing so the ammeter shows positive even at very slow speeds fordaytime lights on riding. And at 30MPH with 35W headlamp on I get a positiveammeter reading.