CA95 - Desired Alternator Output Voltage??

[Mucci]

I'm looking to convert my CA95 6V system to 12V and need to know the desired output voltage of the alternator from the 6V CA95 system. Does anyone have this information? My bike is not currently running.

My conversion thread: http://www.honda305.com/forums/post67605.html#67605

[Hoosier Tom]

You might want to try www.hondatwins.net

HT

[Hahnda]

Are you hoping that the 6 volt alternator will actually put out 12 if unregulated? I know this works on some alternators but not on the alternator for the CA95.

[Mucci]

I see. So the alternator current is regulated right at the alternator by the dynamo?

If this is the case then why do people switch to solid state regulator/rectifiers?

Also, does anyone know if the alternator from the 305 is compatible mechanically? Or is there a way to remove / bypass the dynamo and regulate the voltage externally?

Thanks for the help. I'm new to these charging systems.

[cadman]

Well you have another "old" English translation of a Japanese service manual which as usual tells you nothing. (Note I spent 4 years at Honda dealing with these - how about a hop-up tailgate). These translations were typically done by non-technical folks so frequently they don't make sense. What it basically says is the alternator does not have enough output to worry about over charging.

I have used a Kohler regulator/rectifier from a Kohler twin on a 305 and it seems to work okay as long as you have a good ground between the regulator case and the frame. I ran a ground wire from the regulator base directly to the battery. I have also used a Radio Shack rectifier to convert to DC but it does not regulate.

The alternator (dynamo) outputs AC voltage which you can measure - I have been unable to find out what the specs are for the AC voltage of a Dream alternator. It appears to be somewhere around 30 to 45 VAC depending on engine RPM. I would assume the conversion from AC to 6VDC is done at the rectifier. So in theory if you had a 12VDC rectifier you could get 12 VDC instead of 6 VDC. Now the question is will the AC output of the alternator be sufficient to charge the battery.

[Mucci]

Now the question is will the AC output of the alternator be sufficient to charge the battery.

Precisely. Are there any CA95 owners out there willing to multimeter this for me? I'd do it myself if it was running.