Author Topic: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?  (Read 11217 times)

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Offline farmer58za

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KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« on: August 25, 2017, 02:39:46 AM »
There is only one 6V lighting coil on the '79 KLX. Is there a way to uprate the coil to a higher wattage or introduce a 2nd winding on the same coil?
Thanks
David
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Offline Colin Jay

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2017, 12:40:19 PM »
Give Steve at Betta Bikes (http://bettabikes.com/) a call, he has been doing the electrical upgrades for the bikes used for reliability trials here in SA for a long time, and I would dare to say that he has probably done 12v upgrades for the KLX.
Why do things the easy way, when with a bit of effort you can really make it difficult for yourself!!

Offline TT5 Matt

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2017, 01:13:37 AM »
I remember a Vic coil winder on the IT Yamaha forum saying to go from 6v to 12v was just a matter of doubling the turns count and halveing the wire size of the old 6v lighting coil.stores like jaycar carry a lot of wire sizes or try motor rewinders.although abit messy a brush of adaldite between layers as your winding the wire on helps with vibration rub between the turns of wire and increases the life of the coil as well

Offline grouty

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2017, 07:19:59 AM »
The later KL250 trail bikes were 12 volt. The coils are a direct swap with the back plate. Some re-wiring may be required, and a new 12 volt battery. Not sure if they were about in Oz, but we had them here in the UK. I've not bothered with mine as I have little intention of using it in the dark. Those few occasions I have, it's been a lot of fun with a 6 volt glow worm  ;)
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Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2017, 06:52:11 AM »
I looked at a pic of the 1979/1980 KL 250 coil and it has 2 windings which is much better, even with 6V. That would mean if it fitted, I could use one winding for the brake light only and forget about a battery.

However, that KL coil looks a lot fatter than the KLX one. Grouty, can you confirm that it's a straight bolt-in swop?

Regards
David

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Offline grouty

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2017, 09:31:24 PM »
Just had another look, and I was wrong. It is the KZ250 road bike that has the 12 volt system. I think I have one of these engines somewhere. If I can find it I will pull the flywheel cover and see.
It will need the CDI box and associated ignition parts to work. The engine cases are the same in that area, although they have a large lump at the front for the leccy start. No ... before you ask .... this engine won't fit in the KLX frame.
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Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2017, 10:26:04 PM »
Like Colin says, worthwhile contacting Betta Bikes. I have an article on rewinding your own coils that may be of interest to you. Its from 1977 and uses a PE250 as the example but the basic principles could be applied to others.

Power Dynamo do a system for the KL. Link to product info did not work for me so you may have to send them an email

http://www.powerdynamo.biz/deu/systems/lists/kawasaki.php
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline grouty

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2017, 06:48:29 PM »
The kit (78 57 999 00) for the KL250 (1981) is listed as 'No longer available'. Has been for a while.
Shame, as that would have solved every ones problem.
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Offline James P

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2017, 09:04:10 PM »
Steve at Betta Bikes rewound my Suzuki PE250B stator lighting coils (normally two separate 6V coils; one for stop light, one for everything else) to make them identical and they are now connected in series for a single-wire 12V output. Steve claims 60W output for this set-up. The lighting system is now 12V AC (no battery), but I do have a regulator connected to make sure the voltage doesn't get too high.
I daresay you could obtain a similar service elsewhere, but I generally prefer to use people with bike-related experience.

Regards,
James

Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2018, 08:59:12 AM »
A lot of the specific bike interest forums have migrated to FB. I posted the same query on the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (UK) page and with a bit of work, actually got the KLX lights to work better, with simply a 12V AC regulator and 12V bulbs. check it out here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vjmcuk/permalink/952333461585615/

Regards
David

The kit (78 57 999 00) for the KL250 (1981) is listed as 'No longer available'. Has been for a while.
Shame, as that would have solved every ones problem.
Dave's not here man

Offline dont

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2018, 01:28:02 PM »
A lot of the specific bike interest forums have migrated to FB. I posted the same query on the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (UK) page and with a bit of work, actually got the KLX lights to work better, with simply a 12V AC regulator and 12V bulbs. check it out here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vjmcuk/permalink/952333461585615/

Regards
David

The kit (78 57 999 00) for the KL250 (1981) is listed as 'No longer available'. Has been for a while.
Shame, as that would have solved every ones problem.
I think you need to belong to the facebook group to read the post?

Offline pokey

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2018, 12:45:51 AM »
Thought about tackling the issue from the other end? LEDs use much less juice ;)

Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2018, 01:16:46 AM »
Correct, the LED option appears to be the way to go. However, they need DC or must be wired up with capacitors and diodes for AC. That is the next phase of the project.

Right now, A 12V AC regulator, 25W/25W headlight and 5/21W tail light gives great results. Voltage at idle is 9.5V, rising to a maximum of 12 with increased revs.

Regards
David
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Offline pokey

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2018, 06:29:20 PM »
I was thinking a 6V reg/rec rather than changing stator. Only the tail and Headlight need to go via the reg/rec and with the tail taking SFA juice the rest can be fed to the Headlight LEDS. There are some okay 6V Japanese LEDs I have seen that could be converted to fit the existing headlight housing. Indicators and Horn can remain AC. Thats the way i am going with a current project with a Large Capacitor instead of a battery.

 You can also rewind the existing coils with twice the length x Half the diameter to achive the 12v output. Atleast you will know it fits.

Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2018, 12:23:18 AM »
Here's a new LED development from the re-formed Preston Petty Products. Sorry, it's a FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/prestonpettyproduct/posts/1501791529966380

Regards
David
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Offline dont

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #15 on: March 29, 2018, 10:41:53 AM »
I just bought two new preston petty jeadligh/number plates, and have two old ones without the lamp. These will be great.

Offline LWC82PE

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Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2018, 09:52:22 AM »
You have to read this as well:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0BD_MkiU7JpUmxGcWZOZUVIeVU/view
So there would be no real benefit to me adding this to the KLX.

« Last Edit: March 30, 2018, 09:53:56 AM by farmer58za »
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Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #18 on: March 30, 2018, 09:59:43 AM »
The KLX is a slow bike :) You need to make it as light as possible so why not ditch the heavy lead acid battery that will just breath fumes and ruin the bikes finish and add to the weight it needs to lug around. You could fit a lithium battery, they are good and very light but are expensive so if you don't need lights to be on when engine not running, then you can just fit a capacitor which is much smaller/lighter. in a DC system, if you are not using a battery or capacitor the voltage output will be like an AC system and will be more erratic. Not good for electronics like LED's etc. The capacitor smooths the DC output more. Some regulator/rectifiers have a capacitor built into them instead

http://www.powerdynamo.biz/eng/parts/reg_cond.htm

http://www.powerdynamo.biz/eng/parts/condenser.htm

Quote
Certain systems or environments demand a smooth DC voltage. Any alternator - and our systems are basically alternators - produces alternating current  first. It gets rectified to DC but still inherits a certain and very variable frequency (depending on engine revolutions) which may disturb direction indicators, horns and sometimes even lights.
A battery is technically a large capacitor and solves the problem by absorbing that unwanted frequency, smoothing the current.

« Last Edit: March 30, 2018, 10:06:41 AM by LWC82PE »
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #19 on: March 30, 2018, 07:07:46 PM »
Thanks for more useful links. You are right: I don't need the bulk and hassle of a battery and the KLX isn't fitted with one.
 
Currently, I am running lights on the stock single AC lighting coil which is now doing a much better job, since a 12V regulator has been fitted. 

The next phases of the project could be:
1) Add a second winding to the AC coil, to deal with the brake light, without a battery.
2) Re-wire the AC coil onto a bridge rectifier, using DC/LED lights thereafter, without a battery. (with capacitors if required).

Regards
David
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Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #20 on: March 31, 2018, 04:01:49 PM »
Quote
) Re-wire the AC coil onto a bridge rectifier, using DC/LED lights thereafter, without a battery. (with capacitors if required).

You want a combined regulator/rectifier and not a standalone rectifier

Good for tail light globes
https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/filter/Base_Type,1156,1,40:Base_Type,1157,1,41:

1157 is standard stop tail base.

« Last Edit: March 31, 2018, 04:03:49 PM by LWC82PE »
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline farmer58za

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Re: KLX 250 Lighting coil - Is there a way to upgrade it?
« Reply #21 on: April 01, 2018, 07:00:39 AM »
Thanks for the link!
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