BMW K bikes (Bricks)


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1Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Testing Alternator Output... Mon Oct 07, 2013 5:26 pm

Brad-Man

Brad-Man
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I have tested the 33 amp alternator on my '85K and found it lacking - 10.7 volts @ idle, 11.7 @ 2.5k and 12.7 @ 4K.

Pretty much reinforces by belief that the alternator was bad when I bought the bike.

New battery, checked all wiring/earths.

I have purchased a 50 amp unit off ebay and am having a great auto electrical remanufacturing shop local to me test/rebuild (new bearings/brushes @ minimum).

My alternator light comes on when turning the key so I don't think any problem there.

Does the 50 amp alternator behave any different than the 33 amp as far as voltage @ idle, 2.5K and 4K - up?

I'm not much of an auto/motorcycle electics kinda guy, but can follow a wiring diagram, but other than that I'm not much of a diagnostician.

I know that some car alternators have to spin to ~2.5K before they start charging, and will charge below that rpm thereafter, and others charge w/o having to rev it.

What does the K Bikes alternator do?

Thanks,

Brad

    

2Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:04 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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K Bike needs to have the charge light on the clocks working, it trips in about 1100rpm. My red light comes on at ignition and at tick over but goes out as soon as the revs exceed that.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

3Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:29 pm

Rick G

Rick G
admin
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At 2500rpm you should get 14.2 volts for ideal but 13.9 is acceptable.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

4Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:53 pm

Brad-Man

Brad-Man
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Thanks for the info guys!

    

5Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:18 pm

klamityboy

klamityboy
Gold member
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I replaced my instrument lights with an led kit. Now my charge light goes out at 2500rpm not the 1100rpm you quote. I can't remember if it went out at 1100rpm pre led upgrade.


__________________________________________________
Klamityboy
1991 K75RT-P

Model Description: K 75RT
Market: Europe
Type: 0565
E-Code: K569
Engine: 3_ZYL - 0,70l (55kW)
Transmission: Manual
Body Color: Polizeiweiss
Production Date: 30.08.1990
    

6Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:51 pm

Guest

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Guest
You should not change the charge light for an LED. The resistance of a normal charge light bulb is required to excite the alternator.

    

7Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:34 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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bikerboy wrote:You should not change the charge light for an LED. The resistance of a normal charge light bulb is required to excite the alternator.
Would I be right in thinking that if the LED goes out at 2500rpm the alternator then charges? You would be looking at the red LED until you hit 2500rpm? I could live with that. Its just I bought a full LED set [including H4 LED bulbs] for the K so that I can power 2 night driving lights without changing the alternator.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

8Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:57 pm

klamityboy

klamityboy
Gold member
Gold member
This was the note I received when I purchased my LED upgrade kit:

"CAUTIONARY NOTE regarding the charge indicator LED:  On some bikes, you'll notice that the charge indicator warning lamp is still lit once you've started the bike.  This is because the circuitry in the voltage regulator needs to be "excited" for the alternator charging circuitry to be kick in.  All you need to do, once the bike is started, is rev it up to about 2,000-2,500 RPM until the charge indicator warning lamp goes out.  Once the warning light is out, that tells you that the alternator is working to supply power to the bike and keep the battery charged.  If you just start the bike and let it idle without getting the light to go out then the bike will be running from the battery and can drain the battery. This is a non-issue.  I've been running these kits on my bikes for tens of thousands of miles and continue to do so without any problems.."


Of course YMMV


__________________________________________________
Klamityboy
1991 K75RT-P

Model Description: K 75RT
Market: Europe
Type: 0565
E-Code: K569
Engine: 3_ZYL - 0,70l (55kW)
Transmission: Manual
Body Color: Polizeiweiss
Production Date: 30.08.1990
    

9Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Wed Oct 09, 2013 3:53 am

Ghost who rides

Ghost who rides
Life time member
Life time member
I for one don't want to be reving the bike to 2500rpm when cold every start, even warm!

Put in a globe or resistor as suggested by the forum gurus.


__________________________________________________
1986  K 75 C   2nd owner 187,000kms showing .
1987  K100RT  Police repainted, rough and unloved.
    

10Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:53 am

Guest

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Guest
Not sure that I would want to change something so far from the design that the operating instructions need to change. For the sake of 20 minutes I would put the bulb back in. I also have LEDs in my instruments, but not in the charge indicator. All my flashers, rear lights and brake lights are also LED.
I am interested in the H4 LEDs that you have bought, as far as I know no one had yet made a H4 LED that would be bright enough to drive behind.
A 32 amp alternator should be plenty to power a standard bike even with heated grips on.

    

11Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Wed Oct 09, 2013 5:45 am

charlie99

charlie99
VIP
VIP
brad ...sounds like you had a regulator issue ...pretty common
the regulator itself is not verry hard to change ...about 30 - 40 bucks

(but beforehand change the charge indicator globe to a new one ...they do go "soft " over time ).

like all things with brushes ...they wear out .

hope the 50 amp goes well for you

good luck !


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

12Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Wed Oct 09, 2013 8:24 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Life time member
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Ghost who rides wrote:I for one don't want to be reving the bike to 2500rpm when cold every start, even warm!

Put in a globe or resistor as suggested by the forum gurus.
No need to rev to 2500 rpm immediately. But when move off you hit 2500rpm at 40mph/62kph so its not really a problem. Its only an issue if you start engine and leave it on tickover for a long time and we don't do that do we?.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

13Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:07 pm

Brad-Man

Brad-Man
Life time member
Life time member
I believe I have LED's in the instrument cluster too - not sure about the charge bulb 'tho....

I just figured that if I was going to take the time to R&R, then put in the best available and have some spare parts if necessary...

I might wind up putting on heated grips and eventually heated gear for wife & I, so makes sense to go the 50 amp route now - alts the same price on fleabay...

This winter I'll dig into the instrument cluster and verify that a bulb is in there and not an LED for the charge light.

Thanks for all the info!.

    

14Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:17 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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I am interested in the H4 LEDs that you have bought, as far as I know no one had yet made a H4 LED that would be bright enough to drive behind.


I will keep updated on the LEDs. I recently bought some 4W led ES27 bulbs for outside lights at home. I put one in last year, same rating, same light fitting, but the new ones make the older same wattage look like a candle.

I did a bit of research and went for LED H4s with maximum no of LEDS and as soon as I fit them will post my thoughts.



Last edited by 92KK K100LT 193214 on Thu Oct 10, 2013 5:56 pm; edited 1 time in total


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

15Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Thu Oct 10, 2013 4:27 pm

Guest

avatar
Guest
I have LEDs fitted all over my house now, and they are great for most lights.
I have the rear lights, indicators, parking lights and instrument lights (apart from charge) fitted to the K, but the headlight is another matter. That needs to be a very directional light with a single filament just in the correct place to make a good beam. I don't believe that a H4 with 5050 LEDs all over the place can produce the light in the correct places with the standard reflector and lens.
I will continue with the 35 watt HID/xenon conversion with the projector lens for now.

    

16Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Thu Oct 10, 2013 4:59 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Life time member
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You may well be right. I got the LEDs at a very right price and won't be upset if they don't work out for the H4. But a friend of mine in France has H1 and H4 LEDs in his car and swears by them so I decided to take a shot at it. The LED H4 has no hood to stop the low light reflecting upward and blinding others, instead the lower and upper LEDs ones light separately. I will have to see how that affects low beam light because you don't have full wattage on low beam. It may well be ok because we use a lot of LED GU10 fittings which are those recessed ceiling spotlights and they seem well able to maintain a focussed light pattern.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

17Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:22 pm

Guest

avatar
Guest
Don't forget that we bikers in France can do what we want to our bikes, including having dipped beam headlights that don't really have a dipped beam, as we have no MOT or any other annual checks on bikes here.
I believe that the latest version of the Seat Leon car has the first LED headlights on any production car (I thought that Audi would be the first) but that is a complex system using individual reflectors for each high powered LED, and those are not just 5050 SMD LEDs, but high powered items.
I wait for your results and hope that they are what you want, but I think it is going to be 2 or 3 years yet before we see after market LED kits for dip and main beam.
I seems that I lied, Audi had production cars with LED headlights in 2008!



Last edited by bikerboy on Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:37 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Last sentance added.)

    

18Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:54 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Life time member
I suspect that what will have to happen is the original headlight unit will be dip beam only and the other lights become main beam. I may be surprised though because I am quite impressed with recent mains voltage LED light bulb technology. A lot of improvement in 12 months.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

19Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:28 pm

Brad-Man

Brad-Man
Life time member
Life time member
$90 dollars, cleaned up like new, new bearings, brushes and voltage regulator.

Total investment $200.

I'll be putting it in tonite/tomorrow morning - my back's bothering me...

    

20Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:38 pm

charlie99

charlie99
VIP
VIP
good luck brad ....fingers crossed for you


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

21Back to top Go down   Testing Alternator Output... Empty Re: Testing Alternator Output... Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:40 pm

K75cster

K75cster
Life time member
Life time member
Good lluck brad, $90 sounds like money well spent.


__________________________________________________
Keith - 1987 K75c with r100rt replica fairing and half of a 1984 K100rt 1992 K1100LT a blue one

The Clever are adept at extricating themselves from situations that the wise would have avoided from the outset - QUOTE from david Hillel in Out of the Earth.
    

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