Battery eliminators- steveL?

[andy230]

Hi all,

Any experience with these battery eliminators?? 

The DR has been used for 3 days now, and the battery seems to be getting lower and lower.  Its a US import model, lights on all the time   

As soon as it fires (which sometimes isn't instant!) everything goes bright, etc, so I can only assume its charging, and the battery is gubbed.  Fuse ok, earth ok.  No obvious signs of chafing, poor wiring etc.  Any other ideas?  The battery will charge ok, from charger or solar panel, but doesn't seem to hold it.

The bike is kickstart only (obviously), so while I'm not too bothered, I 'd rather not fry the reg-rect, and was wondering about the Battery Eliminator idea (BattPack?)

SteveL- are they just big capacitors??  Can I not just wire in a "big capacitor" across the terminals of where the battery should be??

I hate batteries!!  Mine are currently all knackered!  2 in the van, one in the skorp, one the DR.

I'd been starting the skorp off the 12v supply in the garage, and bumping it down a hill at work to get home!      Sweaty!!  DR is MOT'd so no more of that. I'll mothball the Skorp as I'm not paying 40 quid for a battery jkust now.  Gel jobs- any good for the skorp??

Cheers for now

a

[guest27]

I know of people who use BE and swear by them.  As far as I understanmd gel batteries do not really like the vibration - but then what battery does?

R

[guest295]

You may find that a battery eliminator costs more than a battery. It should: the capacitor is a very special item, indeed. Gel batteries should only be used in bikes designed for them: the charge rate is different. If you do buy a battery, stick to Yuasa. With decent care they last three times longer than anything else. Find someone who knows how to prepare batteries and buy it from them. A shoddy merchant (or you) can wreck a battery before you even get to use it.

[Steve H]

I can see them working well on bikes that have a separate circuit for the ignitions ala SRX. Not sure about bikes that rely on a battery to drive the ignition circuit, DR750 is a good example (I think)

[andy230]

the capacitor is a very special item, indeed.

How so??  Can you elaborate?  Can I build my own BE with kit from Maplins??

Gel batteries should only be used in bikes designed for them: the charge rate is different.

Ok, good advice, ta

Find someone who knows how to prepare batteries and buy it from them. A shoddy merchant (or you) can wreck a battery before you even get to use it.

I normally get them dry with a bottle of acid.  The latter is very good a making pennies shiney I've noticed, and fizzes profusely on concrete!  There is a household scientist in everyone!!!

A battery is IRO £35.  I'd imagine a BE will be about the same?

Cheers for now

a

[andy230]

I can see them working well on bikes that have a separate circuit for the ignitions ala SRX. Not sure about bikes that rely on a battery to drive the ignition circuit, DR750 is a good example (I think)

Steve- the DR650 kicks over and starts happily on a totally dead battery, so am assuming its fine??  So the 750 requires good charge to even start on a kicker?

a

[Steve Lake]

Hi Andy....
Well, yes, I had one for a while (on an SRX).....it worked, but not that well, and come MOT time it was decreed that the indicators were running too slowly so we bunged a battery in for the mot, and there it's stayed......well, there it stayed until the battery gave up while i was on the IOM, so got another battery. I sold the eliminator on Ebay to .............Beeman!!

As far as the component is concerned......It was just a standard eloctrolytic capacitor...least, the one I had was. Can't remember the value (working voltage and capacitance (in microfarads)...but Beeman could read them off his for you :-)

Obtainable with terminals on Ebay ... usually about a tenner

or from 'radiospares' for about a fiver and fit your own terminals (polarity specific)

Cheers

PS...are you going to cadwell for the morini track day next week??

[Steve H]

Steve- the DR650 kicks over and starts happily on a totally dead battery, so am assuming its fine??  So the 750 requires good charge to even start on a kicker?

Probabaly ok then. 750 doesnt have a kickstart

[andy230]

Hi Andy....

PS...are you going to cadwell for the morini track day next week??

Yes, got my confirmation thru.  Yippeee!!  I trust you'll be there on beasy or beasties??  Are you bringing the TZ-640??  (just out of interest   )

And I'd hope you were going to take mine for a lap or two...

Thanks for the info on capacitors. I know what you mean about not working that well...  A bit like a duff battery!  I can live with that.  I think I'll do some homework and/or go to Maplins.  Although I know the latter are the electronics equivalent of Halfords, staffed by buffoons who know nothing about their products!  Is there an alternative supplier of electronics, bar Ebay??

And can you let me know beeman's address?  Email me (anyone! or beeman if you're reading this thread) on

a[dot]duncan[at]ich[dot]ucl[dot]ac[dot]uk

Cheers for now,

a

[Steve H]

Is there an alternative supplier of electronics, bar Ebay??

http://rswww.com/

http://www.farnell.com/

[andy230]

cheers!

I've just got an MOT for 12 months, so maybe I'll have a bash at a battery-free system.  Will bodge on a capacitor first, and see how it goes.

Cheers for now all, thanks for the input.  Any ratings appreciated before I go throwing my pennies at Ebay muppets!

a

[beeman]

Have been using a battery eliminator for 3 years on the srx or around 18000 miles. with no problems, it even gets thro an MOT ok.
I think the one I got of stevel is on my brothers bike. the good thing about them is if you use the bike infrequently then it avoids the problem of a flat battery.
the problem I have with them is below 3000rpm the indicators dim the lights when they are on, they don't seeem to slow down tho.

You pays your money you takes your choice.

heavy town and winter use it may be safer with a battery, otherwise I would use an eliminator.

beeman

ps with the weight I save from not having the battery, means I don't have to loose so much personal weight!

[andy230]

Hi Beeman

Thanks for the info.  Do you have a make, or type, on yours??  I will give it a bash...  Or does the capacitor have a rating?

Cheers mate

a

[beeman]

I'll have a look tomorrow
beeman

[Steve Lake]

Andy...go here...read this....looks like the details you need

SteveL

http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/tips/battelim.htm