12vDC Regulation

[Call Me Ahab]

Greetings folks,

I've got a small problem(seriously, for once, it really is). I've purchased a 12v Speaker system w/ amp for the bike, but it will only accept a steady, consistent 12v DC power supply. Obviously our bikes put out between 13~15v with constant flux in voltage.

My solution is to wire in a 13-17vDC input - 12vDC output regulator. Before I proceed, I was just wanting some of the more experienced electrical wizards to weigh in on this and provide some feedback... Is this safe, or even advisable? As it stands now, the system will not function with the odd voltage output from my stator.

This is the item I have acquired, I would like to install soon, but am awaiting feedback. Unfortunately I jumped the gun on the order, so I'm doing this kinda backwards.


You folks have a wonderful day, I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of... work. I'm going to work.

 

[JTGS850GL]

It'll work as long as the device draws less then 4 amps.

What makes you thing that the amp will only accept 12V DC? I'm a little surprised that the speaker system wont work across a wider voltage range. Most devices will accept something other then a straight 12Vdc. Is this speaker system designed for home use and you're adapting it to automotive use? Did it come with it's own AC to DC power supply?

 

[posplayr]

Greetings folks,

I've got a small problem(seriously, for once, it really is). I've purchased a 12v Speaker system w/ amp for the bike, but it will only accept a steady, consistent 12v DC power supply. Obviously our bikes put out between 13~15v with constant flux in voltage.

My solution is to wire in a 13-17vDC input - 12vDC output regulator. Before I proceed, I was just wanting some of the more experienced electrical wizards to weigh in on this and provide some feedback... Is this safe, or even advisable? As it stands now, the system will not function with the odd voltage output from my stator.

This is the item I have acquired, I would like to install soon, but am awaiting feedback. Unfortunately I jumped the gun on the order, so I'm doing this kinda backwards.


You folks have a wonderful day, I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of... work. I'm going to work.

I would not run that at Idle, you see it has 1 volt dropout. It needs 13V to get to +12V output. 4 amps is pretty stiff. Maybe get LED's to lighten the load so you dont have to worry about it.

 

[JTGS850GL]

My guess is would stay in regulation under a light load to about 12.7V Maybe even a tenth or so less depending on the method of regulation. Hard to tell without seeing it's construction.

 

[posplayr]

It'll work as long as the device draws less then 4 amps.

I'm a little surprised that the speaker system wont work across a wider voltage range. Most devices will accept something other then a straight 12Vdc. Is this speaker system designed for home use and you're adapting it to automotive use? Did it come with it's own AC to DC power supply?

I suspect, although there will be sound, it might be not all sound he wants to hear. Best to filter the input, although no guarantees about this one.

 

[JTGS850GL]

Would be nice to get more detail on the load being applied.

 

[posplayr]

Would be nice to get more detail on the load being applied.

I've purchased a 12v Speaker system w/ amp for the bike,

A house hold device that expects relatively well filtered D.C.

The worst thing is the negative going spikes on the output of the R/R. They are like 0.25V at a frequency synchronous with RPM.

A series diode with a cap, snubs those things off well if the cap can supply the instantaneous current when the voltage drops out. Probably similar to the cap in the supply.

Personally rather than blow 50 watts into speakers you wont be able to hear, get a blue tooth setup right in the ear.

 

[Call Me Ahab]

A house hold device that expects relatively well filtered D.C.

The worst thing is the negative going spikes on the output of the R/R. They are like 0.25V at a frequency synchronous with RPM.

A series diode with a cap, snubs those things off well if the cap can supply the instantaneous current when the voltage drops out. Probably similar to the cap in the supply.

Personally rather than blow 50 watts into speakers you wont be able to hear, get a blue tooth setup right in the ear.

Is this something (the cap) that would be relatively easy to set up?
I've attempted a blue-tooth solution, but with the helmet I cannot get it to stay in my ear, or in the same place... Also removing helmet can be very painful

Would be nice to get more detail on the load being applied.

Sorry, when it comes to electricity I may as well be trying to read greek... Ask for something specific, and I MIGHT be able to tell you :-k

I suspect, although there will be sound, it might be not all sound he wants to hear. Best to filter the input, although no guarantees about this one.

That's exactly the problem I'm having... Horrible popping, screeching, just god-awful noise. I assumed that it was a voltage issue, as the amp was rated @ "12v DC Input Only"

It's not a home-system, it was supposedly meant for use with motorcycles, which makes me wonder why I'm having these problems.

How would I go about filtering input?

 

[posplayr]

Look at the figure I posted before.

 

[Steve]

If it was sold to be used on a motorcycle, I think you are WAY over-thinking the issue.

Most automotive-type accessories are rated at a NOMINAL 12 volts, which will differentiate them from aircraft items, which are 24-volt or household items, which are 110 volt (AC).

By the way, rather than blast the music to everybody else, you can install speakers in the helmet that will connect to your phone or other mp3-type device. I looked into them for another GSer some time ago, found they are relatively cheap at about $35. Available from Sierra Electronics.

.

 

[JTGS850GL]

Or install a nice new exhaust and just enjoy the sound.

 

[Call Me Ahab]

Look at the figure I posted before.

Wow - Missed it the first time over, thank you!

If it was sold to be used on a motorcycle, I think you are WAY over-thinking the issue.

Most automotive-type accessories are rated at a NOMINAL 12 volts, which will differentiate them from aircraft items, which are 24-volt or household items, which are 110 volt (AC).

By the way, rather than blast the music to everybody else, you can install speakers in the helmet that will connect to your phone or other mp3-type device. I looked into them for another GSer some time ago, found they are relatively cheap at about $35. Available from Sierra Electronics.

.

Definitely something to look into, thank you! I don't have much room to work with though... we'll see

Or install a nice new exhaust and just enjoy the sound.

Actually... long-term, that's the plan. My exhaust is finally starting to rust

 

[Call Me Ahab]

Steve actually raises a pretty wonderful point...

Rather than tying up wattage in a speaker system that's just wasting electricity, a small in-helmet solution would work better. I like the speakers, when they work they sound great...

Thank you everyone for your help here,

and Posplayer, thank you for the diagram, as soon as I translate it into caveman I'm going to hit radioshack to see what I can set up - if this works, I will be very happy, at least until I can afford the $35 set from sierra... I found it, it's about as basic as it gets, and I like that. Only issues I can forsee are perhaps being too quiet... They're the large style speakers you get in a headset, just designed to rest inside the helmet. The output from an mp3 player or cellphone might not be powerful enough to hear over the engine / wind / traffic. I'm trying to find 3rd party reviews on it, but not much luck.

In any case, until I can find a vetter fairing in good condition (passable, at least... I found one in "mint" condition, when I asked for photos, it had been pulled off a wrecked bike... shattered in two. The guy laughed at me when I asked if that was the one from the posting .... well, this'll have to do.
Our conversation ended there, by the way. Screw craigslist.

Again, thank you folks!

 

[posplayr]

Steve actually raises a pretty wonderful point...

I guess Bluetooth sunk in more the second time.

http://www.sena.com/product/product/smh10/

Whoops, must be I'm loosing it. I though I had posed about just using a Bluetooth?

 

[Call Me Ahab]

I guess Bluetooth sunk in more the second time.

http://www.sena.com/product/product/smh10/

Whoops, must be I'm loosing it. I though I had posed about just using a Bluetooth?

I believe you did - the reason I had discounted bluetooth devices was that I had only seen large... invasive devices that were pretty painful for me to use with my helmet...

Apologies, I wasn't even aware that there were low-profile speakers for use in-helmet. The models I've seen all have used in-ear speakers like earbuds or conventional earphones. Those hurt like hell when I pull off my helmet. I've owned two of them and despite my best efforts I could not use them without discomfort.

I'd searched for motorcycle-compatible bluetooth devices in the past, but when I saw the same things I'd been using, I gave up on it as a lost cause. It looks like I just gave up too easily... After all, why would I have spent $169.99 for a stereo bluetooth headset that feels like someone is trying to split my head open with a nutcracker every time I pull off my helmet



EDIT: That creature there is.... interesting... I'm not sure how it even installs O_O Doing some research on it now, thanks for the link!
WOW that's a gonna be a no... Waaaay too pricey for me - neat though

 

[posplayr]

I believe you did - the reason I had discounted bluetooth devices was that I had only seen large... invasive devices that were pretty painful for me to use with my helmet...

Apologies, I wasn't even aware that there were low-profile speakers for use in-helmet. The models I've seen all have used in-ear speakers like earbuds or conventional earphones. Those hurt like hell when I pull off my helmet. I've owned two of them and despite my best efforts I could not use them without discomfort.

I'd searched for motorcycle-compatible bluetooth devices in the past, but when I saw the same things I'd been using, I gave up on it as a lost cause. It looks like I just gave up too easily... After all, why would I have spent $169.99 for a stereo bluetooth headset that feels like someone is trying to split my head open with a nutcracker every time I pull off my helmet



EDIT: That creature there is.... interesting... I'm not sure how it even installs O_O Doing some research on it now, thanks for the link!
WOW that's a gonna be a no... Waaaay too pricey for me - neat though

There are cheaper knock off on ebay for about 1/3 the cost.

 

[Call Me Ahab]

There are cheaper knock off on ebay for about 1/3 the cost.

Thanks for the tip - for now I'm going to exhaust possible solutions to the problem... if all else fails, then I will buy either a direct-wire helmet speaker setup or a bluetooth, depending on how reliable it looks to be.

I know we got a little off topic, but the help is always appreciated.

 

[posplayr]

Thanks for the tip - for now I'm going to exhaust possible solutions to the problem... if all else fails, then I will buy either a direct-wire helmet speaker setup or a bluetooth, depending on how reliable it looks to be.

I know we got a little off topic, but the help is always appreciated.

I have not reviewed any of this but think this is similar.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-BT-inte...Intercoms_Access_Controls&hash=item2c6d6c9407

The blue tooth earbuds are much cheaper but a pain.

 

[cowboyup3371]

I have the Scala Q2 that connects to my phone via Bluetooth and with speakers Velcroed to the inside of my helmet. I don't feel the speakers/wires at all and only have to push the microphone down a bit when I put the helmet on.

 

[Call Me Ahab]

I have not reviewed any of this but think this is similar.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-BT-inte...Intercoms_Access_Controls&hash=item2c6d6c9407

The blue tooth earbuds are much cheaper but a pain.

Understood - I'll look into that, seems good for the price!

I have the Scala Q2 that connects to my phone via Bluetooth and with speakers Velcroed to the inside of my helmet. I don't feel the speakers/wires at all and only have to push the microphone down a bit when I put the helmet on.

Decent features, but the lowest I could find that was around 149.99, and it was on clearance (reason unknown) - For now I'm looking for a cheaper fix... One day I plan on buying a Goldwing or one of the (forgive me...) Harley baggers as a transport bike - I'd like to lessen the load on the gs850... In fact, to that end, I've had it sitting idle while I plan out my next project for about 2 weeks.

The speakers and headphones are just to help alleviate the tedium of my now-extended ride to work every day. I went from 5 minutes to 45, so some music would be nice

I'll keep looking around, I'm still contemplating trying out that power regulator, haven't had a chance to hit Radioshack to build Posplayer's recommended fix...

Thanks everyone