GS850 generator question

[850biker]

Does anyone know what the charging output of the 850's generator is? I own a 1983 GS850GD

Thanks!

[koolaid_kid]

You may want to clarify if you are speaking volts or amps...

[BassCliff]

Hey howdy hey!

Hi Mr. 850biker,

Let it be known that on this day you are cordially and formally welcomed to the GSR Forum as a Junior Member in good standing with all the rights and privileges thereof. Please note that pictures (of your bike, not you ) will improve your standing! :-D

Have you read The Stator Papers? It's all you wanted to know about the GS charging system, and more. It gives specific testing procedures and expected results. In a nutshell, each of the three phases (legs) of the stator should output around 80 volts AC. At the battery you should see around 13.5 to 14.5 volts DC output from the regulator/rectifier.

Check out the Stator Papers and let us know if you have any questions. Thanks for joining us!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
(The unofficial GSR greeter)

[earlfor]

I dont know specifically for an 83 850, but the standard output for the GS line of 4 cylinder bikes is aproximately 240-280 watts @5000 rpm. Stator output is directly proportional to engine rpm so cruising down the highway at 2500 rpm, electrical output would be 120-140 watts. At any given rpm with the headlight off and not allowing for what is needed to charge the battery, it takes about 68% of available output to run the bike.

Earl

[850biker]

Generator question

Thanks for all replys.

I was talking about output in terms of "watts". My Gerbing jacket and gloves draw 104 watts. I use their controller which I never turn on more than 1/8-1/4 turn. When the red light goes on the draw is 104 watts. When the light is out the draw is 0 watts. The blink rate at the 1/8-1/4 turn is 1-2 per second. Just did not know if the charging system could handle it.

Will post a picture of the bike soon.

[BassCliff]

Which watt is what?

Hi Mr. 850biker,

As a general rule, these bike do not like extra electrical stuff drawing from the charging system. There's not a lot of extra power left over after the requirements of running the bike and recharging the battery. If you converted your blinkers and tail light systems to LEDs (for which you will need a new LED flasher unit) you might be able to save enough wattage for other gizmoes. But even then, it would be very iffy. Your jacket takes a lot of power. A 104 watt draw on the bike's charging system is way too much.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[850biker]

BassCliff

So, even though the draw of 104 watts is intermittent it would still be too much?

[Steve]

A 104 watt draw on the bike's charging system is way too much.

True, under normal circumstances, but the Gerbings use a pulse-width modulation system to regulate power to the clothing. I have used my brother-in-law's jacket liner and gloves and have observed how they work. Yes, they will draw 104 watts, but only for a fraction of a second. Then, a second or so later, they do it again, so it is not a constant 104 watts being drawn from the bike.

You might be able to get away with it, but I would add a voltmeter to the bike to be able to monitor what is going on. Here is an inexpensive unit that will also give you the temperature you are experiencing with your heated clothing and the time of day you are doing it in. Note that it is not water-resistant, you will have to apply a couple coats of clear polyurethane spray or fashion a shield to cover it so the display is protected from moisture intrusion.


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[earlfor]

At low rpm, the electrical system is depleting the battery, so you dont have any excess capacity. At higher cruising rpm, depending on the state of the battery and how much current is being consumed to charge it, you will have at most at times, perhaps 40 watts excess current that you can use to run extra accessories intermittently. Using an electic jacket and gloves with a 104 watt draw will deplete the battery. You could use the jacket for short periods of time if between uses, you ran the bike without using it in the ratio of about 2 1/2 to 1. That would mean for every 25 minutes of use with the jacket, you would have to ride the bike aproximately 1 hour without using the jacket to bring the battery back up to a normal level.

Checking your battery voltage would tell you what percent of charge the battery is in and you could make a spreadsheet predicting maximum jacket use times before the battery reaches a minimum voltage level of about 12.1 requiring the jacket to be turned off.

Earl

Thanks for all replys.

I was talking about output in terms of "watts". My Gerbing jacket and gloves draw 104 watts. I use their controller which I never turn on more than 1/8-1/4 turn. When the red light goes on the draw is 104 watts. When the light is out the draw is 0 watts. The blink rate at the 1/8-1/4 turn is 1-2 per second. Just did not know if the charging system could handle it.

Will post a picture of the bike soon.

[BassCliff]

Mr. Steve is always teaching me. Thanks! Not being familiar with the workings of your jacket, Mr. 850biker, I bow to Mr. Steve's experience. As long as it's not a constant drain you might just be OK. Be sure to let us know.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
(Still learning)

[850biker]

Thanks for the great replies and answering my questions. I will invest in a voltmeter to monitor what is going on and let you know what I find.

[earlfor]

Ahhh, the below wasnt posted when I made my reply. :-) Wattage consumption depends on HOW intermittent. I would check the battery voltage with a multimeter and then ride for 15 minutes with the jacket turned on and stop and check to see if battery voltage is being maintained or declining and then plan accordingly.

Earl

So, even though the draw of 104 watts is intermittent it would still be too much?

[Steve]

Ahhh, the below wasnt posted when I made my reply. :-)

Let's face it, Earl, some of us just type too fast for ya. 8-[


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