[james_85_jr]

sense i got the bike the charging system has been weak so im wanting to beef it up a bit
my charging system is factory right now and is so weak that i cant even run the headlights while riding slow i half to run just over half throttle just to break even when just running the stock head lights. :frown:
so i was thinking of removing the pull rope starter sense i never use it and making a plate that will bolt onto the same place to install a "sealed" generator or alternator something like 20 amp so i dont over load the motor and direct drive it off the crank with a small coupling
i have estimated the stock charging system on my recon is putting out about 2 amp at idol and 5 amp revved up based on my volt meter and i want to install some better lights because the stock lights are so weak i can only see about 5 feet in front of the bike
and i also want to install a radio for some tunes while riding and still keep my battery charged.
my question is what alternator or generator to use and is it even posible on a honda recon to do this?

 

[elmerkit]

I think it's more practical to change your charging unit rather than disabling any electrical parts.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

Leave the stock system intact add Hid headlamps instead of the factory bulbs they are run by ballast I would look into that first. you can get Stators and regulator that put out a little more wattage and amperage. some of these utility guy up here should have you an answer

 

[Helmut]

I believe you can buy heavier stators that put out more amperage for certain ATVs. I don't know which models you can get them for and I don't remember where I saw them. They're probably going to be a little hard to find but they're out there.

 

[Pain]

All things considered, I'd put a bigger battery in it and get a battery tender [trickle charger], connect it up permanantly to the battery and just plug it in when you bring the bike home. You could beef up the charging system more if you wanted to, but I personally wouldn't start 'rigging' it beyond just adding a bigger stator or whatever.

Could use a deep cycle marine battery if you planned long trips on the machine between charges.

That's my 2 pennies.

 

[james_85_jr]

well the thing is the new stock stator costs alot so the aftermarket high output stator would probally cost even more right now im running 2 18ah and a 12ah battery but on long trips it still runs down and i end up swaping out with someone that riding with me just to get back because i dont like to ride 40+ mph down a 4 ft wide curvy trail and the idea i had would still leave the origional stator and parts on the bike only thing i was going to take off was the pull start rope and if i ever needed to take my mod back off all i would half to do is take 3 bolts out and undo a few wires to the battery

 

[Pain]

I'm going to try to say this as diplomatically as I can. You are on an ATV. You are riding in nature, and you are trying to enjoy the environment. If you want to take the city with you, just stay the F--- in the city.

That's 2 more of my pennies, and I'll throw another in for a full nickel.

Pack jumper cables. You can certainly mod in what ever power you need, but for me, I have no clue why you would need to.

Marine batteries would be one option to look at. HID head lights would draw less current, as Moose said above.

 

[blowfishRus6]

I'm going to try to say this as diplomatically as I can. You are on an ATV. You are riding in nature, and you are trying to enjoy the environment. If you want to take the city with you, just stay the F--- in the city.

all he is trying to do is get more power out of his headlights with out having to go over half throttle all the time.............................

 

[Pain]

I'll restate my position and apologize for the statement prior to blowfishRus6. I do not know of a way to increase charging capacity. I agree with Moose and HID headlights would draw less current.

If someone can describe a mod to add a generator for such purpose, then they should come forward. It would help anyone else wanting to do the same thing.

Short of being able to supply new headlights and a stereo on you current machine with stock charging equipment, I would suggest marine batteries in place of what you have now.

Please let us know how it works out.

 

[james_85_jr]

well the atv is probally worth about $800 bucks because it is old and a new stator costs $249.64 and the mag costs $333.02 and it is suppost to put out 14 amp according to the honda dealer in richmond ky and i just dont want any more dead batteries and i dont want to pay $600 bucks just to go on a long ride

 

[james_85_jr]

found a alternator that is rated to put out 17a at 1000 rpm and can run up to 10000 rpm for $100 now i need to see if i can get it and fab a mounting plate for it :smile:

 

[Pain]

This might sound counter intuitive, but you could use an electric motor to turn the alternator. If you can find a motor that will run from the machines current stator, it would be much easier to rig.

The problem might be isolating the alternators power from the machines power, because tying them together could have unintended consequences.

 

[Pain]

It's possible you could add the alternator to the existing electrical circuit without problems. But, if it were me I would try to isolate the 2 systems completely, and that is true for either this alternator, or a generator that you wanted to connect via the pullstart "PTO" that you wanted to build.

With that said, if I were going to do it, I would have an second power circuit. Take your second battery, charge it with your fabricated alternator/generator contraption and run all your accessories from that circuit, which is completely seperate from the bikes existing electrical system.

Leave the existing system intact, and use it only to start and run the machine, so it should never discharge the battery used to start/run the bike.

Best of both worlds. :biggrin:

 

[james_85_jr]

good idea pain then there would be less wiring to

 

[blowfishRus6]

It's possible you could add the alternator to the existing electrical circuit without problems. But, if it were me I would try to isolate the 2 systems completely, and that is true for either this alternator, or a generator that you wanted to connect via the pullstart "PTO" that you wanted to build.

With that said, if I were going to do it, I would have an second power circuit. Take your second battery, charge it with your fabricated alternator/generator contraption and run all your accessories from that circuit, which is completely seperate from the bikes existing electrical system.

Leave the existing system intact, and use it only to start and run the machine, so it should never discharge the battery used to start/run the bike.

Best of both worlds. :biggrin:

sounds like a pretty good idea.

 

[Pain]

Course, an even easier idea is to get a deep cycle marine battery to run your accessories and just charge it at home every night. At least if it runs dead you're still able to start and ride the machine.