LiFePo4 on an old bike - charging system?

[simonwri]

For anyone else reading this thread at a later point, a more cost effective approach to replacing the Suzi GS R/Rs is to make use one one from a Honda GL1000. They're usually in the $20-$30 range (excluding shipping). Some wiring will be needed.

These will work all the way up through the mid 90s.

Thanks for your input Sonreir . Good advise for those who maybe want a straight swap.
Is the GL1000 a series R/R?
I ask because the polaris upgrade is apparently popular because it is a series and can cope with newer LiFePo4 batteries and the like. Difference being the way it senses and reacts to charge levels.
Just wanted to differentiate between the older style Honda and Suzuki and the newer polaris R/R's (these will sting you about 75 US Dollars new)

Please tell me if I am on the right track or not.
Remember to I am not running a stock GS electrical system . Mine is severely lightened of a lot of non essentials....(i don't even run a fuel level gauge anymore! wiggle test is good enough for me

 

[Sonreir]

No. The GL1000 systems are probably still shunt types.

That said, a series regulator isn't that much better in the way/speed it reacts to changing voltage levels. The main advantage of the series type is the precision. It can be dialed in to a very specific voltage a lot easier than a shunt type.

For instance, the single phase R/Rs we have manufactured for us are a shunt type and are specced out to 13.9V, plus or minus .4V. Well within the specs required for LI-ION battery operation. If we were to swap to a series regulator, we'd double the cost, but we could go to 14.3V, plus or minus .1V.