I have to start planning the lights, heated clothing and all the other electric gadgets. Which brings me to the question: Does anybody know how many amps the alternator in an 650K5 is capable of? Is that 40 amps of the main fuse really it?
apleschu
The 650 has a 500w alternator. Alternators are generally rated in watts. My 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 had a 360w alternator for comparison. Both bikes handle the Gerbing jacket liner and gloves just fine, along with running high beam headlight during the day. I am not an electronics guru by any means, so I can't give you the relationship (if any) between watts and amps. The real key is "excess" power not used by the bike itself, and that info is hard to come by. The main difference between the V-Strom and the Burgman is the ECVT tranny on the scooter, which probably does use some current. In any event, I have had no issues with running the heated gear on my 650.
Where'd you come by this information? (Not challenging you or saying I know better; I just wonder where you found out!) 500W is pretty good -- I think my VTR1000 is only 280W, and I'm always worried about keeping the battery charged when I use my electric gear.
Oh, and BTW, the formula for power is P=IE, or power (in watts) equals current (in amps) times voltage (in volts). So, assuming the charging system does its best to keep the voltage at about 14.5v, it can supply about 34.5A. If the bike's electrics plus all your gadgets draw that much, the battery will no longer charge. If they draw more, then the battery will make up the difference until it runs flat, then everything stops.
I think I checked the system draw with the headlights disconnected, and without starting the engine, and got 2-3A. My meter only goes up to 10A, so I'm afraid to try reading the current while the bike is running, or even with the headlights connected. Each 55W filament should add at least 3.8A; I don't know how much the ignition, injectors, fuel pump, and CVT motor use. My guess is, the CVT uses quite a bit of power when changing gearing ratios, but maybe very little or none to hold a ratio.
<tongue in cheek>pauljo said:
Thanks for basic information, I wouldn;t have known after 30 years in electronics.
</tongue in cheeck>
Now, where can I read/see this? See, it's a fact that the main fuse is a 40amps fuse, which if Mr. Ohm is correct (And he always is) points towards a 480-530W alternator, depending on which voltage it is capable of holding at max load. But then, the CVT fuse is also a 40 amp fuse, which leads me to believe that the CVT motos can use quite a chunk of electrity, otherwise they would have a 10 amps fuse.
So,,, bottom line, I'd really need to know if that 40 amps that the main fuse is is everything our alternator is capable of and where this information comes from . Because with 40 amps max, a bike consumption of give or take 10 amps without headlights, @35W each headlight we can add 3amps each which brings us to 16 amps. About a 10 amps reserve, so that you can still charhe the battery and we arrive at 26-30 amps.
This leaves approx. 10 amps conservatively for your consumption before you start running risk of not charging the battery any more, not charging the battery enough, ... And that all under the assumption that the alternator really IS a 40 amps type and not a 35amps or worse.
Still hunting for facts ...
I had the Suzuki "promotional literature" spec sheets for both the Burgman 650 and the V-Strom 1000 back in 2003 when I bought them. I believe that is where I got the 500w / 360w figures from. I have since tossed them, so I can't confirm that.
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