| Author | Message | ||
     Cowboy |
I need to know the out put of the alternator of a 2001 X1. It is warm weather now so I start rideing very early in the AM, there is a lot of deer in my area. I am not happy with the light on my bike. I want to replace the one light with two very powerful ones. how ever I do not want to go larger than I can burn them safely.Does any one know the max wattage and remain in a safe zone. | ||
| Awprior |
According to my M2 service manual, it's 19-26 VAC per 1000 engine RPM. I know there are quite a few people that run additional electronic stuff on their bikes (lights, radar detectors, electric clothing etc.). I would think that an electric suit would draw more than a light or two, you'd probably be safe. Alex | ||
| 99x1 |
"..the output of the alternator of a 2001 X1." The alternator is rated 22 amps, 13.8 volts at 3600 rpm (~300 watts). I measured a draw of about 10 amps (with a fully charged battery) varying to about 15 amps (battery partially discharged) at idle (~140 watts to 210 watts) on my 99 X1. You could probably use another 100 Watt light and still be OK.... With a dead short on the alternator at idle - I read ~18 amps at about 6 volts (AC side). While initially permanent magnet alternators seem sort of crude (shunt regulator shorts the excessive output), they are kinda neat in that they are sort of a constant current source - as the RPMs go up, the stator losses increase (eddy currents, hysteresis in the laminations), and as the current goes up the copper losses increase (I2R loss). |
