R80/7 electrics question

[rayfwms]

I just purchased a '78 80/7 w/50K in excellent shape--I ride all winter in Va and love my gerbing jacket/glove set up- can the stock electrics on the R80 handle this? or alt upgrade recommended.? my first bike was a '78 R100.....feel right at home with this little baby.
Thanks

[20774]

My feeling is that the stock alternator will be marginal with both jacket and gloves on at the same time. Off the top of my head, I'm remembering you might have about 50w of power for use in things beyond lights, ignition system, etc. Possibly a search of past posts might bring up some specifics from those who know more about how to compute load on the charging system.

If you have the ability to switch them on/off and also to run them at lower power settings from time to time, you might be able to maintain the battery. But my guess is you will need routine trickle charging as well as sustained RPMs to keep the battery up to snuff.

[wecm31]

I upgraded my 85 R80RT to heated grips and later a jacket as well and the stock system couldn't keep up. After I checked the dash voltmeter with a digital to correct for the offset, I could ride along and turn things on/off with a pretty good idea of my true voltage. The grips alone were okay, the jacket by itself was taking it down to ~ 12.5v, and the whole show with hibeam was ~11.5v!! I since went to the Enduralast and no looking back, never drop under 14v on the road. YMMV:brow

[MIAirhead]

Why take a chance, get a upgrade, Enduralast or Omega. If you get the Enduralast I recommend when you get the kit, open go to the hardware or auto parts store and get wire to match the size of kit. Many solder the connections.

Be sure you give yourself enough time to do the wiring, about 3 to 6 hours. It is easy enough, just follow the directions. I also recommend you get the bolt to remove the rotor, http://www.northwoodsairheads.com/Tools.html it makes it easier to remove the rotor.

[44006]

The answer to your question depends upon the following Info not stated:
1) How many watts load does your heated clothing add and is it full time
or on and off depending upon thermostat setting?

2) How long in time each day might you ride at the most?

3) Is money no object or do you need to watch your budget?

4) What is the riding style - rural 40 mph + with few if any long periods
standing in traffic or urban with much time spend at low rpms waiting
for traffic and lights?

================================================== ======
I can ride 10hr/day in a rural setting with a stock /5 with stock lighting exc
for H4 bulb conversion with 40 watt vest day after day with no problems.
the /5 only puts out 180 watts instead of the 280 the /7 should.

I would be dead in an urban setting unless short ride to and from work with
recharge each evening.

As for money - the new systems are great from all I have talked to but
consider this. A new lawn tractor battery in the best class and highest
cranking amp from Walmart has a lot of capacity compared to most higher
cost motorcycle batteries I see at about $42 cost. And it only takes a
few minutes with a hacksaw to cut the battery tray in half down the
center fore and aft to allow the tray to spread andthe lawn tractor battery
to fit in the bike without the tool tray installed.

My /6 with a 280 watt alternator and lawn tractor battery will run my 40 watt
vest all day and then power my computer for 3+ hours to watch television or
video in camp and sometimes short periods of electric blanket on lowest setting
off the inverterin the evening and still start the bike on a 50deg morning.

Don't know what this would do in an urban commuter setting but if the
commute was not too long and one plugged in a small charger in the
evening it would probably be more than enough.