Has anybody done a rewire to improve charging as below?

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Alkydale · #1 Post by **Alkydale** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:41 am

When looking at new batteries found this rewire which is supposed to improve charging, has anybody done it and does it work?

http://www.apriliafalco.info/index.php/ ... _charging/

sabestian · #2 Post by **sabestian** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:27 am

Alkydale wrote:has anybody done it and does it work?

I thought everybody would have done it by now...

It's obligatory and it works very well. At least 1V more at the battery.

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:36 am

No - not done it - not had a problem with charging.

People that have done it have (beforehand) reported voltage readings that are below those needed to keep a battery in good shape. The readings that many report afterwards are often somewhat higher than optimum (again this isn't good).

Some have considered doing it but then decided to make sure all the terminals are cleaned first - and found that this is enough to overcome their problem.
I think that's the key - keep all the terminals clean - a lot less effort than the wiring mod.

HowardQ · #4 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:53 am

I've not done it for the same reasons as Andy. Mine has never been particularly bad, still on original battery at 7 years and 24k miles, but will be changing soon (see separate thread).
I have always been wary of over charging as I also own a Honda, and have had Hondas for some time. When the rectifier goes on one of these, you normally find out just after you've cooked the battery dry and it fails.
I've cooked two this way, so like Andy, charging a bit higher than normal worries me just as much as charging a bit low!

Having said that, many others seem to have made this mod and been happy with it.
Anybody done the mod and had any overcharging problems?

Aladinsaneuk · #5 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:17 pm

personally, I am an optimate man - simple and cheap solution to my mind

(I was going to say that all this electrickery is where i draw the line at when it comes to fettling but i would be lying....)

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:08 pm

Can't disagree with that one either, that's why my "past its sell by date battery" is still on the bike.
Not much use if I don't charge it for two or three weeks, but no problem at all if I keep it wired up.

D-Rider · #7 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:58 pm

I've an optimate too but found that I don't actually need to use it .... so I've stopped bothering unless I'm out of the country for a couple of weeks or so.

Alkydale · #8 Post by **Alkydale** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:15 pm

OK then, I'm going to Optimate my battery for a couple of weeks whilst I'm out of action and see how it goes......or doesn't!

Cheeers guys, an informed response as always

bluedimension · #9 Post by **bluedimension** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:16 pm

I considered doing the re-wiring mod but as I inherited an optimate with a previous bike I don't feel the need. Also the optimate appears to keep the battery at the right levels. Not too much & not too little in way of charge held - which spookily enough is what it is meant to do.

Blue.

Falcopops · #10 Post by **Falcopops** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:14 pm

I've done the mod and found it is worthwhile. The starter seems to pack a healthier punch.

Just beware of the issues surrounding the fusing of any additional wiring.

I merely doubled up on the + and - wires and utilised the existing fuse. Others have duplicated the circuit and added another 30A fuse. there's some debate as to whether this introduces a 60A path and whether both old and fused should be dropped to 15A to preserve the 30A protection.

Alkydale · #11 Post by **Alkydale** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:30 pm

Falcopops wrote:I've done the mod and found it is worthwhile. The starter seems to pack a healthier punch.

Just beware of the issues surrounding the fusing of any additional wiring.

I merely doubled up on the + and - wires and utilised the existing fuse. Others have duplicated the circuit and added another 30A fuse. there's some debate as to whether this introduces a 60A path and whether both old and fused should be dropped to 15A to preserve the 30A protection.

Err cheers Pops, you've made my mind up now, going to leave it as it's all become too much for me and I need to sit down and do some colouring or something

HowardQ · #12 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:52 am

Do they still do those paintings with the numbers in the boxes for all the different colours.
Always found that a lot more satisfying than vehicle electrics.

Used to enjoy those old wiring diagrams for older cars and bikes though. The ones that showed the complete loom, end to end for every wire.
The first fault you had you would trace the path of the wire with a blue biro to make it easier to follow. The next one you traced with a red biro, then another colour for the next. Old cars often had regular electrical problems, so eventually you had all the colours you could get biros in.
So the next time you had a problem, you took it to an auto electrician!
But at least that page in the manual did look pretty.
Does anybody else on here remember these old wiring diagrams, or is it me just being an old fart as usual.

Samray · #13 Post by **Samray** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:56 am

Haven't a clue what you are talking about Howard.

Alkydale · #14 Post by **Alkydale** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:47 pm

Old Howard? Are you talking about diagrams for Hanson Carriages?

HowardQ · #15 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:55 pm

Can't hear you, I've got my hearing aid switched off to save the battery.

Remember my old gran coming out with that one on a regular basis when anyone asked any difficult questions.
What's a Hanson Carriage anyway, anything like a Mk1 Cortina?

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Has anybody done a rewire to improve charging as below?

Has anybody done a rewire to improve charging as below?

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