CA160 Electrical Help!

[revlover]

Eric, Sorry to hear about your mishap. Have you thought about converting to 12 volts since you already have the battery and you will likely be replacing all the bulbs and maybe the ignition coil anyway? That's what I would do if it were mine. It's easier than you think.

[ericmanuel]

Eric, Sorry to hear about your mishap. Have you thought about converting to 12 volts since you already have the battery and you will likely be replacing all the bulbs and maybe the ignition coil anyway? That's what I would do if it were mine. It's easier than you think.

That sounds like a great plan! Just need to know everything I would have to replace to make the conversion.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

~Eric

[DianneB]

If the bike was 6 volt, the alternator probably wont put out enough voltage to charge the 12 volt battery.

Other than that, there are all bulbs, probably the flasher unit, the starter, starter solenoid, ignition coil, maybe the rectifier.

It isn't as simple as it would seem at first glance.

[revlover]

Eric, Ignore the naysayers and become master of electrons in your kingdom! I've seen a few CA95 dreams converted to 12v with no changes made to the stator or rectifier whatsoever. It's very likely your stator is strong enough to keep 12 volts charged above idle. I converted my C102 cub from 6V to 12V only changing the bulbs, battery, and ignition coil. The starter and solenoid were just fine with 12 volts and the horn is frightfully loud. They will last too as long as you're not trigger happy and crank or honk too long.
I've never had a CA160, but I suspect it shares some similarities with its 12 volt cousins the CB160 and CL160. I would first try and find 12 volt equivalents of all the bulbs and a 12 volt point type coil. Give it a try and just see if it stays charged. You can also free up some wattage for charging by using LED taillight and indicator bulbs. Let me know if you need more help. Doug

[G-Man]

I have similar experience with 6v alternators. Even the humble BSA bantam would happily put out 12 volts from its 1950s Wipac alternator.

Because you are reducing the current to get to a similar wattage, the losses at connections are also reduced, giving you a little bit more to play with.

Even the very weak alternator on my 150 Gilera worked happily on 12v.

G

Eric, Ignore the naysayers and become master of electrons in your kingdom! I've seen a few CA95 dreams converted to 12v with no changes made to the stator or rectifier whatsoever. It's very likely your stator is strong enough to keep 12 volts charged above idle. I converted my C102 cub from 6V to 12V only changing the bulbs, battery, and ignition coil. The starter and solenoid were just fine with 12 volts and the horn is frightfully loud. They will last too as long as you're not trigger happy and crank or honk too long.
I've never had a CA160, but I suspect it shares some similarities with its 12 volt cousins the CB160 and CL160. I would first try and find 12 volt equivalents of all the bulbs and a 12 volt point type coil. Give it a try and just see if it stays charged. You can also free up some wattage for charging by using LED taillight and indicator bulbs. Let me know if you need more help. Doug

[ericmanuel]

Update. Always check the to see if the fuse is blown before you change the entire electrical system. Everything works as it should now. It should its all new event the fuse!

Thanks for the help and support
Please if you laugh and make fun of me, do it on the thread so I can enjoy it as well.

~Eric

[revlover]

I'm really confused now. What did you change and what did you leave alone? Are you now using a 6 volt or 12 volt battery? Did the fuse blow twice....three times? Everything works now and you can't argue with results, but I'm really curious how. Please feel free to ridicule my ignorance now.