to 12v or not to 12v

B

BoJordan

Active Member
G'day guys, I have searched the forums and suprisingly there isnt actually too much discussion on this topic. So I am wondering your opinions on whether or not to convert my 6v 1978 xl250s to 12v or not. If you click on my link in my signature you can see my build. I have a basic understanding of whats involved in doing so and from the ring arounds I have done it looks like it will be about $310 for a stator rewiring + $100ish for a new regulator/rectifier + however much for bulbs etc.

The good thing about my build is because it is an old farm bike I havnt already got indicators, headlights, tailights etc. So either way I have to buy these parts. I understand going 12v will mean I have brighter lights, the ability to run LEDs and accessories, but im not too sure if I want to pay $310 for the stator rewiring. So I am asking for your knowledge and opinions on whether I should convert or whether I should just leave it or if you have any tips to how to convert without coughing up a lot of money please let me know.
 
For me it comes down to personal preference. I have a 6v bike and I really don't mind having to kick start every once and a while, but my wife hates to have to kick start so I converted her bike to 12v. The 6v lights work just as well as the 12v in my opinion. As long as you make sure to always use 6v lights and not put 12v lights in your 6v system. All in all it really just comes down to reliability and how badly you want LED lights.
 
mhumphre said:
For me it comes down to personal preference. I have a 6v bike and I really don't mind having to kick start every once and a while, but my wife hates to have to kick start so I converted her bike to 12v. The 6v lights work just as well as the 12v in my opinion. As long as you make sure to always use 6v lights and not put 12v lights in your 6v system. All in all it really just comes down to reliability and how badly you want LED lights.
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thanks for your response mate. If I could figure out a way to have a road legal bike without a battery at all I would do that, but unfortunately I am pretty sure that I need the ability to have my lights on when the bike isnt running for it to be road legal in ACT, Australia. So thats why I am tossing up between 6v and 12v. I dont need LED's, I just want a nice bright headlight, indicators and a horn that work well and a good tail light.
 
6v LED bulbs will be just as bright as 12v... it's just a matter of how they're wired.

Given the task ahead of you (choosing fixtures, fabricating or purchasing brackets, wiring, etc) I would suggest leaving it 6v.

If you choose, in the future, to change to a 12v charging system all you'll need to do is swap out the bulbs.

Also, if you do go 12v, there are LED replacement lamps for H4 sockets. They're a bit pricey, but you could swap your headlamp for a universal H4 type fixture and get a brighter beam with plenty left over for charging.

-Deek
 
ILoveThumpers said:
6v LED bulbs will be just as bright as 12v... it's just a matter of how they're wired.

Given the task ahead of you (choosing fixtures, fabricating or purchasing brackets, wiring, etc) I would suggest leaving it 6v.

If you choose, in the future, to change to a 12v charging system all you'll need to do is swap out the bulbs.

Also, if you do go 12v, there are LED replacement lamps for H4 sockets. They're a bit pricey, but you could swap your headlamp for a universal H4 type fixture and get a brighter beam with plenty left over for charging.

-Deek
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Ok, we'll I'm considering sticking with 6v then since I want this to be a relatively simple build.

I have read around a bit about battery eliminator as i like the old school, kickstart style. does anyone have an opinion on these? Has anyone had experience with them?
 
Since some of the other topics that people post on here often dont get answered I figured I will answer my own question for future reference for others who are questioning a 12v conversion. I have decided to stick with 6v as it will be bucket loads cheaper especially since I havnt got an electrical system already set up. I will post a video of the brightness of the lights with a (hopefully) decent 6v set up.
 
all you really need to upgrade is to a three wire stator and a new rectifier/regulator. I just upgraded my 81 cm200t to 12 volt very simple the 250 rebel stator mounted right in the original location. we had to lathe out the difference in the flywheel/armature for the difference in diameter which was only about 60 thousands. then added an additional wire up to the regulator/ rectifier. then I added a regulator rectifier from a 12 volt bike should have 3 wires to the stator then three wires to the bike a positive, keyed or switched power and a ground. I have a feeling your bike is the same as mine pull your side cover and compare to pics of a rebel and I am sure they are the same. should be able to buy all your parts on the bay for around a hundred. the rebel had electronic ignition which adds 2 more wires to the stator but you can cut them and forget them. very simple upgrade other than a little lathe time and switching your bulbs and battery. your coil will handle the load for a while then just switch to a 12v if and when it dies.
 
mike58237 said:
all you really need to upgrade is to a three wire stator and a new rectifier/regulator. I just upgraded my 81 cm200t to 12 volt very simple the 250 rebel stator mounted right in the original location. we had to lathe out the difference in the flywheel/armature for the difference in diameter which was only about 60 thousands. then added an additional wire up to the regulator/ rectifier. then I added a regulator rectifier from a 12 volt bike should have 3 wires to the stator then three wires to the bike a positive, keyed or switched power and a ground. I have a feeling your bike is the same as mine pull your side cover and compare to pics of a rebel and I am sure they are the same. should be able to buy all your parts on the bay for around a hundred. the rebel had electronic ignition which adds 2 more wires to the stator but you can cut them and forget them. very simple upgrade other than a little lathe time and switching your bulbs and battery. your coil will handle the load for a while then just switch to a 12v if and when it dies.
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Cheers mate, yeah I have looked into it a bit and I think I am going to keep in 6v as it will be cheaper and easier for me. I'm pretty sure I won't actually be able to fit a rebel stator as they seem very different. Mine has 2 coils in the stator, where the rebel has many more.
 
well you have to look at the mounting of the stator, most of the smaller Hondas with the stator running on the inside of the flywheel are screwed on with three screws. the number of coils is the difference of how many amps it will put out. when they rewind your original stator they will add more windings so it produce more amperage. same as adding more coils. I would almost bet a rebel stator will mount right up and like I said you have to lathe out the flywheel the difference of the outside dimensions of the two coils.
 
mike58237 said:
well you have to look at the mounting of the stator, most of the smaller Hondas with the stator running on the inside of the flywheel are screwed on with three screws. the number of coils is the difference of how many amps it will put out. when they rewind your original stator they will add more windings so it produce more amperage. same as adding more coils. I would almost bet a rebel stator will mount right up and like I said you have to lathe out the flywheel the difference of the outside dimensions of the two coils.
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Cheers man, mine is bolted in with 4 screws though. I'm sure there is another stator that might fit so I'll have a browse on eBay for honda stators and see what they say.
 
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