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car battery
Quote from oldriders on February 1, 2010, 3:49 pmwhat size car battery do I use if I mount the battery in the side car? I have a HD FLHTC with the stock battery under the seat. I plan to mount a car battery in the back of the sidecar.
what size car battery do I use if I mount the battery in the side car? I have a HD FLHTC with the stock battery under the seat. I plan to mount a car battery in the back of the sidecar.
Quote from Hack__n on February 1, 2010, 6:39 pmSize is not important unless you are using it for ballast, then the larger the better.
Get one that fits well into a marine battery box and strap it down. Some go parallel with the bike battery but I usually use just the car battery since they are much cheaper and have lots more amp hours for cranking and accessories.Lonnie
Size is not important unless you are using it for ballast, then the larger the better.
Get one that fits well into a marine battery box and strap it down. Some go parallel with the bike battery but I usually use just the car battery since they are much cheaper and have lots more amp hours for cranking and accessories.
Lonnie
Quote from gnm109 on February 1, 2010, 7:58 pmoldriders - 2/1/2010 1:49 PM
what size car battery do I use if I mount the battery in the side car? I have a HD FLHTC with the stock battery under the seat. I plan to mount a car battery in the back of the sidecar.
I agree that it should be a standard sized car battery. Are you planning on leaving the standard battery in place and using the additional battery in parallel with the original battery?
oldriders - 2/1/2010 1:49 PM
what size car battery do I use if I mount the battery in the side car? I have a HD FLHTC with the stock battery under the seat. I plan to mount a car battery in the back of the sidecar.
I agree that it should be a standard sized car battery. Are you planning on leaving the standard battery in place and using the additional battery in parallel with the original battery?
Quote from HOG on February 1, 2010, 10:01 pmI have three bikea with hannigan on them. 1 HD and two wings... all with car batteries. One is parallel with the originia and other two are the only battery. No problems with either way.
I have three bikea with hannigan on them. 1 HD and two wings... all with car batteries. One is parallel with the originia and other two are the only battery. No problems with either way.
Quote from gnm109 on February 1, 2010, 10:06 pmHOG - 2/1/2010 8:01 PM
I have three bikea with hannigan on them. 1 HD and two wings... all with car batteries. One is parallel with the originia and other two are the only battery. No problems with either way.
That sounds good. The battery is good ballast, too.
HOG - 2/1/2010 8:01 PM
I have three bikea with hannigan on them. 1 HD and two wings... all with car batteries. One is parallel with the originia and other two are the only battery. No problems with either way.
That sounds good. The battery is good ballast, too.
Quote from Guest on February 7, 2010, 2:39 pmGreat idea! 😉
Great idea! 😉
Quote from Guest on February 8, 2010, 4:49 pmIf you're going to use a car battery, you should consider using a gel cell that doesn't (normally) vent, causing corrosion. I picked up an Optima "blue top" RV battery for ~$100 from the local Interstate battery shop. It was a "blem" - perfectly good battery with a slight scuff that kept them from selling it as new. Came with a one year warranty too. Lots of power and no worries about acid. Now I'm running two Optima "red top" 6volt batteries, tied together in series to provide 12v and plenty o'amps in a smaller package.
If you're going to use a car battery, you should consider using a gel cell that doesn't (normally) vent, causing corrosion. I picked up an Optima "blue top" RV battery for ~$100 from the local Interstate battery shop. It was a "blem" - perfectly good battery with a slight scuff that kept them from selling it as new. Came with a one year warranty too. Lots of power and no worries about acid. Now I'm running two Optima "red top" 6volt batteries, tied together in series to provide 12v and plenty o'amps in a smaller package.
Quote from HOG on February 8, 2010, 7:53 pmThat is what I have in my three Hannigans. Blue top Optima, bought at Sams. U got a great price!! I just bought a 2,000/4000 watt inverter today, so i can hook up a heater or other access. as needed. Couldn't use that on a reg bike battery!!!
That is what I have in my three Hannigans. Blue top Optima, bought at Sams. U got a great price!! I just bought a 2,000/4000 watt inverter today, so i can hook up a heater or other access. as needed. Couldn't use that on a reg bike battery!!!
Quote from Guest on February 9, 2010, 3:05 pmYeah - you never know unless you ask. I'd priced them at a local automotive parts store and it was over $180 plus core charge plus tax... I got the blem plus custom length battery cables w/crimped and soldered terminal ends, glue-filled heatshrink to seal them up, all for under $150 (8.6% tax included).
Yeah - you never know unless you ask. I'd priced them at a local automotive parts store and it was over $180 plus core charge plus tax... I got the blem plus custom length battery cables w/crimped and soldered terminal ends, glue-filled heatshrink to seal them up, all for under $150 (8.6% tax included).
Quote from Peter Pan on February 9, 2010, 3:50 pmInverters are a great deal at pricemart. you get them now up to 3000W for 375$
And it is a blast to work with electric tools just where you want. No need to search for the next electric supply and long extension cords.
Only take into account that all current has to come from the alternator......
In my case with Jawa as soon I switch on the head light I draw down the battery because together with the position lights of the sidecar I surpass already the alternators output.So after 1 hour at night time the light seems t drop down to the ground right in front of the wheel...
I do not think that a bigger battery would help in my case for much more then a few minutes more light.
Best regards
Sven
Inverters are a great deal at pricemart. you get them now up to 3000W for 375$
And it is a blast to work with electric tools just where you want. No need to search for the next electric supply and long extension cords.
Only take into account that all current has to come from the alternator......
In my case with Jawa as soon I switch on the head light I draw down the battery because together with the position lights of the sidecar I surpass already the alternators output.
So after 1 hour at night time the light seems t drop down to the ground right in front of the wheel...
I do not think that a bigger battery would help in my case for much more then a few minutes more light.
Best regards
Sven
Quote from Jon on February 9, 2010, 11:43 pmMy unit is parallel to bike battery. I used welding cable to route to bike battery enclosing hack wires with it in a protective plastic casing. R100 has only 18amp output at best even with all the little tweeks. I run 4 brake/tail lights and 3 headlights. The extra two headlights are even height, as an auto, one on left engine guard the other on right side of sidecar . Many times at night I use only them. Brake lights are on hack fender, bike fender, and one each on top-box and top of Velorex 700 which makes them even in height.
My battery is a compact one from NAPA , strapped and boxed behind hack seat.
One of my projects is to put a car alternator on the R100. I have rotor already turned, the pulley , wee Nippon alternator from a homebuilt airplane application and a start on the bracket which I will fit inside the RT lower on the left side. THEN, I can get a voltage transformer, too. Ya just can never have enough power.
Make sure to anchor it down and be able to get at it easily. Wire size is an important factor too.
My unit is parallel to bike battery. I used welding cable to route to bike battery enclosing hack wires with it in a protective plastic casing. R100 has only 18amp output at best even with all the little tweeks. I run 4 brake/tail lights and 3 headlights. The extra two headlights are even height, as an auto, one on left engine guard the other on right side of sidecar . Many times at night I use only them. Brake lights are on hack fender, bike fender, and one each on top-box and top of Velorex 700 which makes them even in height.
My battery is a compact one from NAPA , strapped and boxed behind hack seat.
One of my projects is to put a car alternator on the R100. I have rotor already turned, the pulley , wee Nippon alternator from a homebuilt airplane application and a start on the bracket which I will fit inside the RT lower on the left side. THEN, I can get a voltage transformer, too. Ya just can never have enough power.
Make sure to anchor it down and be able to get at it easily. Wire size is an important factor too.
Quote from Guest on February 10, 2010, 6:07 pmWill most motorcycle charging systems charge a car battery satisfactorily? I have a V-Star 1100 with a Hannigan Classic sidecar.
Will most motorcycle charging systems charge a car battery satisfactorily? I have a V-Star 1100 with a Hannigan Classic sidecar.
Quote from Jon on February 10, 2010, 6:54 pmAny charger whether in a bike, auto, boat or even bench charger can charge a battery. There are a few things to consider in the word 'charge'. To charge, the alternator has to put out more amps than is being taken out of the battery. Most bike makers use alternators that will keep the battery charged when using all of the factory lights and accessories. But, when additional or substitute
accessories (lights or radios, or whatever) the alternator may have a hard time maintaining the the load and charging at the same time. You can substitute LED bulbs to reduce the draw on running lights, brake lights and signals. 55w-60w (translates to 5.5-6 amps) driving/fog lights take a big chunk of alternator output. There are after market power alternators for many bikes, but those are hi-$. Your bike specs should indicate the alternator out put and possibly the watts of each light and accessory. My bike is '77 R100RT BMW . Both Chilton's and Haynes list each stock bulb wattage. To determine how much charge you have left over from the alternator, simply add the bulbs' load together. My stock alternator puts out about 17-18 amps @3K rpm (slow criuse), and running the stock headlight, tallight and blinkers, I can get away with 2 more tail/brake lights and 2 25 watt fog lights as long as I am not in too much stop and go traffic. My volt meter tells me when I need to turn off the extra fog lights to conserve the battery ( including the car battery). I will eventually get LED taillight bulbs to gain a couple of out-put amps. My battery has never let me down ...knock on wood. The extra car battery can last much longer in an 'overload' (more than alternator puts out) than any little bike battery...hard starts, extra brake lights, hack heater, heated grips, etc.
I also keep a small battery maintainer on the bike when it sits for more than a couple of days. So, yes the bike alternator can charge a car battery but no it can't put out more amps than it is designed to generate. Maybe this helps some.
Any charger whether in a bike, auto, boat or even bench charger can charge a battery. There are a few things to consider in the word 'charge'. To charge, the alternator has to put out more amps than is being taken out of the battery. Most bike makers use alternators that will keep the battery charged when using all of the factory lights and accessories. But, when additional or substitute
accessories (lights or radios, or whatever) the alternator may have a hard time maintaining the the load and charging at the same time. You can substitute LED bulbs to reduce the draw on running lights, brake lights and signals. 55w-60w (translates to 5.5-6 amps) driving/fog lights take a big chunk of alternator output. There are after market power alternators for many bikes, but those are hi-$. Your bike specs should indicate the alternator out put and possibly the watts of each light and accessory. My bike is '77 R100RT BMW . Both Chilton's and Haynes list each stock bulb wattage. To determine how much charge you have left over from the alternator, simply add the bulbs' load together. My stock alternator puts out about 17-18 amps @3K rpm (slow criuse), and running the stock headlight, tallight and blinkers, I can get away with 2 more tail/brake lights and 2 25 watt fog lights as long as I am not in too much stop and go traffic. My volt meter tells me when I need to turn off the extra fog lights to conserve the battery ( including the car battery). I will eventually get LED taillight bulbs to gain a couple of out-put amps. My battery has never let me down ...knock on wood. The extra car battery can last much longer in an 'overload' (more than alternator puts out) than any little bike battery...hard starts, extra brake lights, hack heater, heated grips, etc.
I also keep a small battery maintainer on the bike when it sits for more than a couple of days. So, yes the bike alternator can charge a car battery but no it can't put out more amps than it is designed to generate. Maybe this helps some.
Quote from Peter Pan on February 10, 2010, 6:58 pmThe voltages are identical, so only the charging is limited by the lower amperage of the bike alternator. In every case you install a car battery , you will get much better cranking force because the car battery will not loose voltage while starting the engine. And who cares if you reload the battery in 5 or 15 minutes?
Only show off coffee racers might worry about it. because they have to stop for to pee after 5 minutes again.Motorcycle means it wants to spin its wheels.
Have fun
Sven 🙂 😉 😉
The voltages are identical, so only the charging is limited by the lower amperage of the bike alternator. In every case you install a car battery , you will get much better cranking force because the car battery will not loose voltage while starting the engine. And who cares if you reload the battery in 5 or 15 minutes?
Only show off coffee racers might worry about it. because they have to stop for to pee after 5 minutes again.
Motorcycle means it wants to spin its wheels.
Have fun
Sven 🙂 😉 😉
Quote from Jon on February 10, 2010, 7:22 pmYo, SVEN, get some LED bulbs and reduce the load. LEDS draw onlt about 1/10th of regular bulbs.
I have a dream of putting a car alternator on the R100. I've seeen it done a couple of times. Maybe you could run one off the JAWA tire, like an old bicycle generator.
I dreamin' of a reverse made to run off of a tire. I'm gettin' to old to push uphill.......................
oldriders,
Mine (BMW R100RT/ Velorex700) is a small high powered battery from NAPA. A Harley can pull a BIG OLE battery. If weight and space are not an issue , get a marine deep cycle battery....the bigger the better. Be sure to use large cables like in a car( mine is 1/4" welding cable) or you will lose amps to heat loss..or melt the wire.
Yo, SVEN, get some LED bulbs and reduce the load. LEDS draw onlt about 1/10th of regular bulbs.
I have a dream of putting a car alternator on the R100. I've seeen it done a couple of times. Maybe you could run one off the JAWA tire, like an old bicycle generator.
I dreamin' of a reverse made to run off of a tire. I'm gettin' to old to push uphill.
......................
oldriders,
Mine (BMW R100RT/ Velorex700) is a small high powered battery from NAPA. A Harley can pull a BIG OLE battery. If weight and space are not an issue , get a marine deep cycle battery....the bigger the better. Be sure to use large cables like in a car( mine is 1/4" welding cable) or you will lose amps to heat loss..or melt the wire.
Quote from gnm109 on February 10, 2010, 8:22 pmJon - 2/10/2010 5:22 PM
Yo, SVEN, get some LED bulbs and reduce the load. LEDS draw onlt about 1/10th of regular bulbs.
I have a dream of putting a car alternator on the R100. I've seeen it done a couple of times. Maybe you could run one off the JAWA tire, like an old bicycle generator.
I dreamin' of a reverse made to run off of a tire. I'm gettin' to old to push uphill.......................
oldriders,
Mine (BMW R100RT/ Velorex700) is a small high powered battery from NAPA. A Harley can pull a BIG OLE battery. If weight and space are not an issue , get a marine deep cycle battery....the bigger the better. Be sure to use large cables like in a car( mine is 1/4" welding cable) or you will lose amps to heat loss..or melt the wire.There is a website somewhere on the internet where a fellow installed a Chevy Sprint Alternator on his four cylinder Honda Goldwing. He added a pulley to the front of the motor on one of the camshaft pulleys on one side and made it so that it was covered by the lower fairing. If I had a bike that needed more electricial power, I would certainly find a way to do it. Fortumately, my HD puts out about 45 amps and that's fine for my usage.
Many 1500 Goldwing owners have converted to the Compufire aftermarket alternators. The stock one puts out 45 amps and the Compufire does 90 amps. Quite a difference.
As to wheel-mounted reverses on sidecars, there was a fellow who posted pictures with an article on this site a couple of years ago. It was chain-driven with a dog-type clutch and a car starter with a large battery.
I myself built a sidecar wheel driven reverse for my HD rig with TLE sidecar. It worked OK but was too slow since I used a winch for power. If I could figure out a way to get 24 VDC to the motor, it would be just fine. It's number 23 on my list of things to do. LOL.
The Champion aftermarket reverse for Harleys is OK but for $1,500 it's a non-starter for me (no pun intended) . I can do a lot of pushing for $1,500. That's what the passenger is for anyway. LOL.
🙂
Jon - 2/10/2010 5:22 PM
Yo, SVEN, get some LED bulbs and reduce the load. LEDS draw onlt about 1/10th of regular bulbs.
I have a dream of putting a car alternator on the R100. I've seeen it done a couple of times. Maybe you could run one off the JAWA tire, like an old bicycle generator.
I dreamin' of a reverse made to run off of a tire. I'm gettin' to old to push uphill.......................
oldriders,
Mine (BMW R100RT/ Velorex700) is a small high powered battery from NAPA. A Harley can pull a BIG OLE battery. If weight and space are not an issue , get a marine deep cycle battery....the bigger the better. Be sure to use large cables like in a car( mine is 1/4" welding cable) or you will lose amps to heat loss..or melt the wire.
There is a website somewhere on the internet where a fellow installed a Chevy Sprint Alternator on his four cylinder Honda Goldwing. He added a pulley to the front of the motor on one of the camshaft pulleys on one side and made it so that it was covered by the lower fairing. If I had a bike that needed more electricial power, I would certainly find a way to do it. Fortumately, my HD puts out about 45 amps and that's fine for my usage.
Many 1500 Goldwing owners have converted to the Compufire aftermarket alternators. The stock one puts out 45 amps and the Compufire does 90 amps. Quite a difference.
As to wheel-mounted reverses on sidecars, there was a fellow who posted pictures with an article on this site a couple of years ago. It was chain-driven with a dog-type clutch and a car starter with a large battery.
I myself built a sidecar wheel driven reverse for my HD rig with TLE sidecar. It worked OK but was too slow since I used a winch for power. If I could figure out a way to get 24 VDC to the motor, it would be just fine. It's number 23 on my list of things to do. LOL.
The Champion aftermarket reverse for Harleys is OK but for $1,500 it's a non-starter for me (no pun intended) . I can do a lot of pushing for $1,500. That's what the passenger is for anyway. LOL.
🙂
Quote from Guest on February 11, 2010, 10:53 amMany 1500 Goldwing owners have converted to the Compufire aftermarket alternators. The stock one puts out 45 amps and the Compufire does 90 amps. Quite a difference.
I have a 1500 Goldwing with the 90 amp Compufire alternator and it has not been a problem at all. Lots of juice for everything. Lights, 12 volt cooler, electric clothing, etc. I would recommend this to anyone running a 1500 'Wing.
Many 1500 Goldwing owners have converted to the Compufire aftermarket alternators. The stock one puts out 45 amps and the Compufire does 90 amps. Quite a difference.
I have a 1500 Goldwing with the 90 amp Compufire alternator and it has not been a problem at all. Lots of juice for everything. Lights, 12 volt cooler, electric clothing, etc. I would recommend this to anyone running a 1500 'Wing.
Quote from Guest on February 11, 2010, 11:22 amwingit11 - 2/11/2010 10:53 AM
Many 1500 Goldwing owners have converted to the Compufire aftermarket alternators. The stock one puts out 45 amps and the Compufire does 90 amps. Quite a difference.
I have a 1500 Goldwing with the 90 amp Compufire alternator and it has not been a problem at all. Lots of juice for everything. Lights, 12 volt cooler, electric clothing, etc. I would recommend this to anyone running a 1500 'Wing.
...same with the old beemers - there's several options to choose from.
But where's your car battery mounted, and how big is it?
😉
wingit11 - 2/11/2010 10:53 AM
Many 1500 Goldwing owners have converted to the Compufire aftermarket alternators. The stock one puts out 45 amps and the Compufire does 90 amps. Quite a difference.
I have a 1500 Goldwing with the 90 amp Compufire alternator and it has not been a problem at all. Lots of juice for everything. Lights, 12 volt cooler, electric clothing, etc. I would recommend this to anyone running a 1500 'Wing.
...same with the old beemers - there's several options to choose from.
But where's your car battery mounted, and how big is it?
😉
Quote from Guest on March 10, 2010, 7:34 pmAs some one who still thinks that electricity if some form of black magic - on a boat you can use a small flexiable solar panel attached to the cabin roof, RVs have similar, is this possible on a sidecar ??
As some one who still thinks that electricity if some form of black magic - on a boat you can use a small flexiable solar panel attached to the cabin roof, RVs have similar, is this possible on a sidecar ??
Quote from gnm109 on March 10, 2010, 8:07 pmArthurdillo - 3/10/2010 5:34 PM
As some one who still thinks that electricity if some form of black magic - on a boat you can use a small flexiable solar panel attached to the cabin roof, RVs have similar, is this possible on a sidecar ??
Hmmm, probably not. those small solar panels only put out millamps and milliwatts. What is needed for accessories is some pretty good amperage. Charging a separate car battery when parked should last most of a day and then it could be put back on again.
Arthurdillo - 3/10/2010 5:34 PM
As some one who still thinks that electricity if some form of black magic - on a boat you can use a small flexiable solar panel attached to the cabin roof, RVs have similar, is this possible on a sidecar ??
Hmmm, probably not. those small solar panels only put out millamps and milliwatts. What is needed for accessories is some pretty good amperage. Charging a separate car battery when parked should last most of a day and then it could be put back on again.