Hi All
The diagram was produced by a lot of cut and stick using Paint Shop Pro to edit pictures etc. from several sources and was then saved as a Jpg file so the "chrispness" is not too good in places. I have not placed any restrictions on its use, though Big Ed may have done so when he uploaded it for me.
If you want a copy just do "Print Screen" to save the picture.
I just produced it for VMCC members who were changing to electronic regulators for their Miller electrics and I hope the information is correct.
I have done the change 3 or 4 times very successfully for some friends, but could have made some errors in the paperwork !!
If anyone finds some mistakes or has some suggestions for improving the information please let me know.
As for the other queries, they can usually be answered by going to the Dynamo Regulators excellent site and looking in their Q&A section.
Generally though a 6v dynamo run at 12Volts will give out around 50% more power ie. a 5oWatt should give 75Watts BUT it needs around 30% more engine revs to produce a satisfactory 12Volt output. So the conversion is OK for high speed runs with headlights on but not so good around town. I also understand that to get 12Volts from a 6Volt dynamo, the field current increases and theoretically this can result in overheating and damage but I have no experience of this in practice.
Rewinding the armature and field to 12Volt spec will make the system better at lower engine revs, but then there will NOT be an increase in output power due to "I squared R losses" in the armature caused by the greater number of turns of thinner wire needed.
With Velocettes which have a belt dynamo drive, many users change the gearing of the pulleys to rev the dynamo more to improve 12Volt working and this is fine if the bike is not revved too much for long periods.
You can't win 'em all !!
I have never used a Podtronics Regulator so can not make any comparisons but have found the Dynamo regulators item to be superior to any of the other makes I have tried, mainly on the grounds that it works with a "flat" battery and charges well at low engine revs.
My Comet Miller system was changed to electronic regulator many years ago using another make of regulator which has been reliable, but will not charge with the headlight on below around 45mph even with an LED rear lamp and I am seriously thinking of sporting £46 or so to upgrade to a Dynamoregulators Unit to cater for the odd times I need to drive gently home at night.
I must point out again that I have no commercial connection with dynamoregulators, I just judged them by their highly professional site and the performance of their product, which does "exactly what it says on the tin". I have not sent the diagram to them for approval because it would be a case of "teaching Granny to suck eggs" and I'm sure they would not like to put their name to my efforts, when they have already published a similar paper on their site.
Matty
