> Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 02:54:37 -0000
> From: "decathlon_5061n"
>Subject: charging system 101 nklr
>Let me know if I understand this correctly. The amount of power
>that the generator produces depends only on the speed that it is
>run.
Correct.
>The power that is produced powers those parts that need the
>juice - lights, ignition, etc. and the excess power is dumped to
>ground by the regulator.
Partial credit only. All correct, plus the electrical system is
responsible for charging the battery.
>Therefore, if you use electrical
>accessories that draw more than the stock parts, such as higher
>wattage headlights, or heated vest, the electrical system dosen't
>work any harder, it just dumps less excess power to ground.
Again, partial credit only. The electrical system is responsible for
charging the battery and will do so as long as the electrical system
and accessories draw less power than the alternator can generate at
the current engine RPM. If the electrical system and the accessories
are drawing more power than the alternator is producing at the
current engine RPM the battery will source current to make up the
difference. Making up the difference drains the battery. Herein is
the peril of drawing more current than the the alternator can
produce.
>So
>adding extra electrical load shouldn't be expected to cause extra
>wear and tear so long as adequate power is availble to charge the
>battery. Do I have it right?
Correct. Just avoid draining the battery by drawing more current than
the alternator can produce at the current engine RPM.
>What about electronic heat
>controllers for electric vests that cycle on and off to regulate
>heat output?
What about them? Yes, they work. Their benefit is that they present
an average draw on the electrical system which is less than the
maximum draw of the vest. For example, if the vest draws a maximum
of 45 Watts and the controller is set to 50%, the controller draws
only 1/2 * 45 Watts = 22.5 Watts. The vest delivers 1/2 the heat
that it would were the controller set to 100%. This helps reduce
demand on the electrical system. If the controller is set to 100%
then the controller and vest draw the vest's full 45 Watt load.
With the KLR's anemic electrical system, I use an Aerostitch
controller on my 45 Watt Aerostitch vest for exactly this reason.
>Does the constand cycling on and off cause any added
>wear and tear on the regulator or other parts of the electrical
>system?
No, so long as the maximum current drawn by the controller does not
cause the battery to start sourcing current.
Remember also that the KLR's alternator produces its full output only
at very high RPM. Only when you have the engine really wound out do
you have full alternator power. At lower engine RPM you have far
less than the alternator's full rated power. When at idle or in slow
traffic turn off all the accessories you can to save the battery.
-- Marc Illsley Clarke, KLR650 A12, Loveland, Colorado USA