yes, the alternator creates AC, but its then rectified on my XRR. ie the AC component is zero. ditto Martin's, Tim's and Karim's so I've no idea why yours isn't. Martin, Karim, Tim and I have all used Garmin's without any drama.

its also regulated to 13-14v. this is just a batteried Honda which suggests they use the same regulator/rectifier. the 18v at peak revs would be between the rectifier and regulator if it exists at all. have you actually measured it or is someone misleading you?

have you got some odd import? eg an MX version that I haven't heard of? I did 25,000km without any grief and wouldn't go adding complexity to the power supply without really knowing I needed to. as it happens, we didn't need to with our bikes and doubt you need to with yours.
good luck, though

The alt doesnt put out 18v, that was just quoting someone elses bike PRE-regulation.

The xr650R will generate about 13.5 max.

whjen reading an XR website, the headlights were said to be AC, with DC for the rest of the bike.. hence the seperate AC regulator.

Will your gps's run off ac ??

[This message has been edited by tedmagnum (edited 03 November 2005).]

seems to be a little confusion on this subject. XR650R watercooled model released 2000, does not have a battery and puts out AC current not DC current, splicing power to a GPS from headlight etc will damage the GPS and you need a rectifier to convert the AC to DC. Thats why the lights dim when the bike is idling and brighten when revved. The XR650 (L) has a battery and puts out 12v DC current which is fine for GPS etc.

well, I'm glad none of us considered that, Rob, or our GPSs might have failed on us ;-)
I must get a new Avo too as its clearly lying

Most XRRs in the UK are likely to be European models (XR650R-ED) which have two generator outputs, one is 12V AC one is 12V DC. Both are regulated. Plenty of north american (AC only)models have been imported too. The sticker under the seat will say if it's a -ED model. The DC feed has a regulator-rectifier and smoothing capacitor mounted near the headlamp. The AC feed has a regulator mounted under the seat. If you've got a standard indicator switch amongst your handlebar controls, then chances are you've got DC too.

If using a fag-lighter socket, vibrations can break the connection, particularly at less than a leisurely pace off-road, causing the GPS to power off. If internal batteries are fitted as a backup, then it should be fine.

Mine is the Euro one and yes it does have a DC output. Its not as easy as just plugging a gps into any old DC supply as the cap/reg on the bike is quite agricultural and iv been recommended not to go that route. The stator on the XR is pathetically weak, stuggling to even honk the horn unless your giving it some throttle. Ill probably go up the rewound stator route with a twin output and put in a seperate regulator/rectifier and a couple of capatitors to smooth the current.

FWIW, I've been using a Garmin GPS152 as speedo continuosly on my XR650R-ED for the past 3000 miles (I use the GPS functions too, but have removed the stock speedo). Power requirement of this GPS is 5W max at 10V. Power supply is 10-40V. I also run a 40W helmet-light at night on the DC circuit and the GPS is still happy. I don't have indicators. My horn works ok without the helmet-light on, but then it's an aftermarket part as the -ED doesn't come with a horn from the factory.

I have an H4 headlamp upgrade too (the lamp is a stock XR600L part, which is a direct replacement). This works nicely on the standard ac supply. This combination of uprated headlamp & helmet lamp is great for trail riding in the dark in the uk.

I didn't upgrade my stator, if necessary HID lights could be run on the standard setup to get more light output too, but a stator upgrade may be cheaper.

Ian


...oops I meant XL600R

[This message has been edited by Ian Bradshaw (edited 08 January 2006).]

I don't know about your bikes electrics, but you might look at getting an Isun or similar. This is a solar panel with a 12v Socket which can either charge aa batteries or run your Garmin during daylight hours. It would also power other small items.
It might save a lot of electric heartache http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif