Electrical output o euopean FJR

[JustHoward]

One of the weaknesses in the FJR is the lack of adequate generating capacity to carry all the farkles that i want on my bike, including aux lites and heated gear. But in Europe, the FJR is being used as a police bike, with all kinds of electronics, lites, and, I assume, heated gear also.

Do the European police bikes have a different electrical system? Is the stator larger than my Gen II bike? If so, can I retrofit my bike with their system?

 

[@rjen]

The Police versions FJR have a modified Electrical system: they are equipped with an extra battery, as well as additional wiring to supply all the official police "farkles" with power. My dealer services these FJR's and I understand these are specifically modified for their purpose: I don't think this is a standard kit available to the general public...

 

[Ken45]

Realize that police units often spend a lot of time at idle, when then alternator is putting out very limited current.

If you are seriously concerned, go LED for the lighted farkles. Minimize running all the heated gear AND the farkles at the same time, especially at slower speeds.

Ken

 

[Ignacio]

One of the weaknesses in the FJR is the lack of adequate generating capacity to carry all the farkles that i want on my bike, including aux lites and heated gear.

Really? I've got a stock Gen 1 with 100 less watts than yours and still able to fire full electrics, a set of aux lights, two GPS'es, radar, and sundry. What deficit have you actually experienced?

 

[JustHoward]

One of the weaknesses in the FJR is the lack of adequate generating capacity to carry all the farkles that i want on my bike, including aux lites and heated gear.

Really? I've got a stock Gen 1 with 100 less watts than yours and still able to fire full electrics, a set of aux lights, two GPS'es, radar, and sundry. What deficit have you actually experienced?

When i run my aux lites (HID) and heated jacket (90 watts) and heated gloves (15 watts) and radar detector and 2 gps's, I run down the battery to the point that if I stop for gas without turning everything off for about 5 - 10 minutes before the gas station, the bike won't start. This has happened several times. Of course, when I'm running all this stuff it is night time on 2 lane roads, so I'm not turning 5,000 rpm's.

I've checked out the stator, voltage regulator, and wiring and can't find anything wrong--except that I'm paranoid about running what I think I should be able to run.

I will replace the stock headlights with HID's. Any other suggestions?

Howard

 

[HotRodZilla]

Don't know about your electrical issue, but @rjen is correct. Every model of police bike has an upgraded electrical system. Fitting that stuff to a standard bike would not be impossible, but would prove to be a *****...If not very expensive. Like @rjen, I wonder if the parts are even available to non-police bikes.

 

[fljab]

One of the weaknesses in the FJR is the lack of adequate generating capacity to carry all the farkles that i want on my bike, including aux lites and heated gear.

Really? I've got a stock Gen 1 with 100 less watts than yours and still able to fire full electrics, a set of aux lights, two GPS'es, radar, and sundry. What deficit have you actually experienced?

Matt, your aux lights are LED, yes? I remember them from GBU and I've since gone to them as well. The HID's really pull some power and along with running heated clothing it takes it's toll. I was running all of my stuff up there and I could smell the alternator!

I think running LED's wherever you can is a help - I've pulled the HID's from both my aux and low beams. GPS's and radar don't really use much I think.

I don't have the miles on FJR's like you and many others, but if there is anything I could wish for, it would be a bigger alternator and factory cruise...

 

[Ignacio]

Matt, your aux lights are LED, yes? I remember them from GBU and I've since gone to them as well. The HID's really pull some power and along with running heated clothing it takes it's toll.

True, but I ran a set of Hella FF200 with efficient ballast before, Warm n Safe jacket on full, and a pair of HID converted headlights with my whimpy alternator and saw 13.3 or better all day. Me thinks the set of halogen aux lights would be low hanging fruit on that one and be replaced by LEDs.

 

[@rjen]

At our forum we have a member who bought an ambulance-FJR. Same type of modifications as the police version.

Check his pictures of the electrical nightmare he had to untangle...

 

[worney]

At our forum we have a member who bought an ambulance-FJR. Same type of modifications as the police version.

Check his pictures of the electrical nightmare he had to untangle...

I count 7 relays under the seat @!@# That is not a puzzle I would want to trace. On the other hand I know people who do those huge multi-thousand piece puzzles with the repeating pictures for "fun" so I guess there is a "type" that would find that kind of thing enjoyable. :blink:

-worney