Scooter alternator/dynamo/generator? By prodigit (Read 3,692 times)

[prodigit]

I heard someone say that the generator of a scooter is at constant full load, and that changing the bulbs of a scooter to LEDS is a bad thing.
It makes very little sense to me, but despite that I wanted to know if there is any truth to this?

In my opinion changing the bulbs to leds will increase MPG, as 2 headlights @ 25W, and 2 tail lights @ 25W (100W total) can easily be replaced by 4x4W bulbs (totaling 16-20W).

reducing power consumption by 5x could only be positive, right?
Or am I wrong?

[tvnacman]

both . the stator/generator is kind of stable output bases on rpm . The regulator will output dcv based on acv input and dc load any extra that would increase the dc voltage will be loaded to ground . milage has nothing to do with stator regulator or any electrical power .

John

[nulldevice]

You're wrong prodigit.

If you reduce the lighting power all the saved power will be shunted to ground by the regulator -- for a little while. Adding that 80 watts of load the the regulator will likely burn it out in short order and then the rest of the system will be over voltage and start to fry as well.

[cruiser]

The stator is always operating at maximum output depending on engine speed. The regulator/rectifier does not control the output of the stator. It takes whatever the stator outputs and sends it to the battery for charging and to the various electrical circuits of the scoot. If all the power available is not used, then the regulator/rectifier will shunt the excess to ground. The trick is to not have too much power shunted to ground which will overheat the R/R and also to have enough power to keep the battery charged after the scoot's electrical needs are satisfied. A well balanced system will keep the battery charged while not shunting to much power to ground.

Using LED's and other power saving measures is done to make up for a weak charging system or the addition of other power robbing accessories. Some scoots may do fine without resorting to power saving measures. In any case, there will be little or no change to fuel mileage by changing to LED's or using other electrical power saving measures.

[jct842]

Turn signals and brake lights since not on all the time don't count much, but those incandescent bulbs that are on all the time when changed to led do save a certain amount of power....that power saved should be used for some thing else such as a brighter head lamp. Good bright leds for brake and turn in my opinion are way more noticeable and safer but are not going to save a lot of power/.

Most of the manufacturers had a pretty good idea of how to utilize the power put out by the stator and if you are going to mess with changing that you had better know more than the designer/

[prodigit]

I don't understand why someone would make something as inefficient as that, to send lost power to ground..??
It does not make any sense at all,why they just don't equip it with a dynamo or alternator? At least under load it will be taxed, but when there's no load it'll be no more to the engine than a flywheel!
So basically it's better to get inefficient LEDS, the type that consume lots of power, but give less light output; and try to find a way to harness the remaining energy (like build in a phone charger, and/or even a radio, or GPS system)...

Incandescent is such an old technology. I wonder why they did not equip the bike then with a smaller charging device, and LEDS. Having a smaller electric output should result in taxing the motor less, and could increase MPG; a smaller electric output by selecting a smaller generator.
Running a generator-type of device in 'always on' mode, is is consuming quite some unnecessary fuel. Almost like driving through town in a car with the windows down,while the AC is on.

Perhaps I could change only the head or tail lights (tail light, I read too many issues with headlights focus that changes when changing the bulb to a different type), and try to compensate by installing additional lights (like LED strips (~2.5W per strip; I could install 12 strips under the bike, that makes up for ~30 watts for under the bike), and install in the glove compartment a USB charger/plug (usually consumes 0.5Watt no load, and 1~2.5W- 5W charging a cellphone or running a GPS system). Installing a radio would be very simple; but installing good quality speakers would not.
So I doubt I want to install a radio.

Is there any law against installing white led strips under a bike (so that a white glow would appear from under the bike)?

[nulldevice]

They make the alternator and rectifier / regulator system work that way for a couple reasons. Fewer parts and lower cost.