Charging system upgrade

[miairhead]

I got stranded in Indiana with a dead battery, it time to upgrade my 84. Who has installed a 450 w upgrade and how much of a hassle + time. I have a new battery drove four days in Ohio, at a motel in Fort Wayne. Had to carry battery to a Vision/Harley dealer to get it charged (by the way very nice staff).

 

[83014]

Options

Use the search feature, not the 'Search Site" but the 'Search' on the task bar between 'New Posts' and Quick Links'. This is a popular discussion. I used the info on the forum to purchase the alternator kit from Les Farand in Australia. It eliminates the diode board and voltage regulator and provides 800w at 1000rpm. The Enduralast and Omega are also good options from what I read. Good Luck.

 

[wecm31]

I hope you have made it home by now and are pondering your next move from the comfort of your garage, not the lobby of a Motel 6!! As Douglas has pointed out, this is an upgrade with many paths and opinions, here is my $0.02... I installed the Enduralast two years and 15,000 miles ago and am fully satisfied. I have read a few of the threads online (ADV Rider has a long one) and personally feel the Enduralast is the way to go. Gone is the diode board and its overheating, shorting to the front case, mounts failing issues. Ditto the voltage regulator in its unventilated mount under the tank. The new alternator rotor is coil free, uses permanent magnets and the combination reg/rec is mounted on my bike under a side cover next to the battery. It provides more than enough power for my grips, jacket and lights, still provides ~ 14.2 Vdc anywhere above 2500 rpm. OTOH.... It is a totally different setup than stock and you are committed like the pig in bacon and eggs I am hopeful that it will prove to be more durable and last longer, that is the bottom line for me. But I am sure others will come out in favour of upgrades to the OEM technology... In terms of time and difficulty... You could get it all installed in a day, but it does not just plug and play. I soldered all my connections. Good idea - will not develop bad joints or loose connections. Bad idea - makes for difficult road side repair/replacment. I have my old rotor/diode board/reg in a box on the shelf. If broken down in Wayne, I'll have the wife ship it out and the old will all plug in after I remove the Enduralast. On that note... Has anyone heard of an Enduralast failure? At what mileage/age?

 

[shire2000]

I also went with the Enduralast conversion on my 1981 R100RT. Found it to be a very simple process. Took my time and had it all done in just a few hours. Originally used the connectors that are supplied, but have since soldered all connections to ensure no broken or corroded connections.

Only issue I have had was my own fault. I installed the new voltage regulator under the tank where the original regulator was. With the RT fairing there is just not eough air flow, it got way to hot there and the unit failed. Talked with John Rayski at Enduralast about it and he had not had any issues with mounting it there before. As it was over a year old, well past warranty, I expected to pay full price for a replacement, but John gave me a good discount and now have it mounted behind the battery on left side where it gets a lot more cool air flow.

I have to say, John and his company are fantastic at before, during, and after purchase support. They always seem to be willing help with extremely good detailed information. Email responses have always been very quick and informative.

Many of my friends have had both the Omega and Enduralast systems. All have been statisfied with what they had. Most are going with the Enduralast now, when they find they need to replace the OEM.

Standard Disclaimer: I have no reason to promote Enduralast other than that I am a very satisfied customer.

 

[RandyB]

I have an omega and solid diode board mounts on my GS and like it

BUT

Plan on installing Enduralast on my RT rebuild.

 

[3moskvichi]

I'm happy with my Omega 450. I did my research beforehand, and saw that both it and the Enduralast were highly regarded. The difference for me was the great customer service and eagerness to help on the part of Rick at Motorrad Electrik. I'm reasonably competent wrenching on simple things, but electricity scares me. I called Rick a couple of times to have him confirm what I thought was the proper procedure, just to be sure.

Didn't have to solder anything, excellent instructions, everything fit and worked as advertised. Now I have great electrical output to run my heated stuff. Intallation - isn't what I'd call easy, but then anytime I have to crawl around on the floor I say it isn't easy. Not rocket science, but more involved than changing the oil. Worth the effort though, and I've never heard of one failing.

 

[miairhead]

If only to a tech day

I ordered a system (EnDuraLast), but with over hundred dogs (dog rescue www.petresourcenetwork.org) it will be a challenge to get the system installed.
I already purchased a adjustable VR, so maybe that will get me buy till I have time.

As always the rescue comes even first before riding, how that is possible I not sure. The rescue kind of grew and riding is as always after the chores.

Spay or Neuter your pet! Sound like Bob Barker.

And I been trying to teach my self to fly, that ground really hurts.

 

[12BSWAYED]

I have an omega and solid diode board mounts on my GS and like it

BUT

Plan on installing Enduralast on my RT rebuild.

Why? I"m trying to decide on which might be better for my R90S....

 

[boxerkuh]

I have the 400 watt Omega system (prior to the Eurolast and the 450 Omega system). I have had it for 5 years and put over 100K on it with no problems. I am thinking that I will use the Eurolast system next, due to the elimination of systems and it's simplisity. Not a big deal to install. Time depends on mechanical competence. 1/2 day to a day at the most. Tech day would be perfect.

 

[krehmkej]

FWIW, I installed the 450W Omega unit as it preserves the OEM stator cover.

My flawed thinking was that this would allow me the option of installing an (Omega) crank-triggered ignition in the future.

Afterwards, I discover that the Omega ignition CANNOT be used with an Omega alternator!

Meanwhile Enduralast steps up with their own crank triggered ignition designed to be used with their charging system.

Oh well, buyer's regrets.

If you have a choice, go with the Enduralast.

 

[shire2000]

If you are going to go with the Enduralast, talk with John Rayski there. He really knows his stuff. Tell him you learned about it from BMWOA and maybe he will give you a nice pen like I got with my last order.

If you want to see how easy it is to install one, go to their web page and download the installation .pdf file. Nice colour photos of an actual install, wiring diagram, step by step instructions from removing the battery cables then front cover to the very end, including some final checks to do before buttoning it all up. Extremely easy if you follow all of the steps.

Remember to mount the voltage regulator behind the battery. Don't ask why, just do it.

 

[miairhead]

adjustable regulator

I changed the default settings on the adjustable regulator. Seems to increase charging to about 13.5 at 3500. I know it's not the answer, but no time to installed the upgrade. Not only a hundred + dogs, but hurt my back and can not bend to do any work on the bike. Was almost more the I could stand to remove tank and adjust regulator.

I guess it really does not make much difference if I can ride anyway. A short mile ride after changing settings was painful.