Voltage output stabilty

[zimtuff]

Does anyone know how stable voltage output is in an R3? I want to put a 12V outlet for phone recharging and GPS.
I spoke to a specialist motorcycle electrician and he reckons the power may go to as high as 17 volts if the battery has been run down and can damage sensitive electronics.
He did give me a long winded explanation but his english was about as great as my electrical knowledge.
He had a few HDs and jappers in his workshop but seemed to have some knowledge of R3s

 

[TxRIIIRider]

There's a spot for a power outlet just under the tank on your left side as your sitting on the bike. It's a black plastic trim piece. There's a plug behind that trim piece for adding a power outlet.

I went and bought a cigarette lighter style one with a rubber cover on it from NAPA for $4.99 and it plugged right in to the available plug. I did have to make the hole in the trim piece a little bigger. I've been running that plug for years now and I use it for my cell phone mostly, but it has always worked great.

 

[RatBoy]

Zim,
I put an inline fuse in when I wired. I've been running a GPS for a couple of years now without incident. If the voltage gets too high the fuse will blow... right?

I have yet to have one blow since I bought in 2006.

 

[KingOfFleece]

Right-oh. Fuse it at least. If you are really concerned you can assemble a small voltage rectifier-radio Shacxk can help. It'll stabilize the voltage to the circuit you choose.

 

[Bc fisherman]

I have been running one for a couple years now on my 05 no fuse right off the batterie the same leed that I plug my bat tender into .

 

[zimtuff]

I thought he was going a bit overboard,probably just trying to cover his ass.
I'm not too concerned about my GPS anyway,its only a cheapy.

I wouldnt consider adding something without a fuse attached,but do fuses actually blow when the voltage is higher than norm,I thought it was more like when the resistance got too high?

 

[HellFire]

Uh, guys .... the fuse is for amperage only, it has nothing to do with voltage. The charging circuit is also kept in check by a voltage regulator and the battery, unless there is a catastrophic failure you shouldn't have any worries about using 12v accessories on the bike. More than likely, the more accessories you put on the bike, the lower the usable power voltage will be. Electronics have +/- ranges for working/charging voltages as well.

 

[zimtuff]

Uh, guys .... the fuse is for amperage only, it has nothing to do with voltage. The charging circuit is also kept in check by a voltage regulator and the battery, unless there is a catastrophic failure you shouldn't have any worries about using 12v accessories on the bike. More than likely, the more accessories you put on the bike, the lower the usable power voltage will be. Electronics have +/- ranges for working/charging voltages as well.

Thanks Hellfire

 

[JRCollings]

I have my radar detector set to 'voltage' in between alarms so I can monitor my voltage with it in real time... Whilst the charge system will increase the voltage a little if the battery is flatter to get some charge in there, it should not go anywhere near 17 volts! I think 13.8 is the highest I have ever seen mine.... Comes down to about 13.2 on longer rides. 11.6 ignition on, engine not started as a norm.

Just sharing to give you an idea of 'normal ranges'.

To Hellfires point, modern electronics have a nominal operating voltage rating, but always have a range within which they are fine - auto equipment manufacturers are aware of the vagaries of charging systems so stuff designed for cars or bikes should be just fine.

ALWAYS fuse outlets / anything you add on (with a sensible fuse rating, NOT the biggest you can find) - and put the fuse as close to the source point as practical - this minimizes the chances of shorts, sparks, fires and explosions - personally I prefer my riding that way!

 

[Sidecar Flip]

If you want a stable voltage, tap the voltage (and amperage) post battery. That voltage value will be constant and always below 13.8 VDC. The battery serves as a buffer for voltage instability.

Triumph alternator systems (on all it's bikes) vary quite a bit over the operating range of RPM's. That;s what the batter is for, It's not only a storage device but a voltage regulator/buffer. The ECM in the Rocket is very sensitive to fluctuation as well.