I have a Electronik Sachse Digital Ignition ZDG system on my mk2 V50 and what looks to be a modern regulator/rectifier…I will have to dig the wiring loom out of a box to 100% check what it is. My question is whether I can use a Lithium Ion battery with a modern reg/rec, as looking at the installation diagram for a particular products states that these batteries cannot be used?
I intend using a Motogadget M.Unit and want to mount the battery under the frame using the centre stand mounts…seen a few done like this. Can’t use my normal lead acid battery so would have to go for a GEL type or Lithium Ion to mount it on its side.
Absolutely in agreement with Russell. Most Li-On batteries for bikes these days come with a built-in charging circuit which is supposed to regulate the DC input, but the alternator/DC regulation on a small-block or Tonti Guzzi is as spikey as a lightning storm at midnight. Many years ago I was talking to one of the two owners of Newtronics Ignition Systems (Pirahna) and I mentioned that my G5 had chewed up a Pirahna ignition and I’d had to revert to points. He stated that Guzzis were the biggest destroyers of the Pirahna and we diverted into a technical discussion on why which ended up with us looking at the output from a Guzzi alternator on an oscillascope. Basically, the DC regulation is lousy and allows some rather nasty fast-moving spikes through; I can almost guarantee that they would see off a Li-On battery in pretty short order.
Thanks for the replies guys. The Sachse ignition system has been faultless. I have liaised with them and got a reg/rec that is suitable for Li-ion batteries. Hopefully over the winter i will have a small scale wiring loom set up with an M-unit for testing.
I like the gel batteries as they are deep cycle so can withstand being flat and recharged a lot better (that’s why they get fitted in things like burglar alarms), and have no special charging requirements.
I was interested to see an article in this months Motorcycle Mechanics saying that Sodium Ion batteries are now becoming commercially available and are very lightweight, compact and can go to 0 Volts but like Li batteries have their own internal charging circuit. Presumably just as susceptable to poor Guzzi regulation. One to watch.
Just to mention - I did blow a power transistor on one of Electronik Sachse rec/reg units when timing my Spada. Not quite sure what happened but think ignition was on too long at wrong point of timing cycle.
It was just out of warranty but they did repair it. I think I paid a little towards it, maybe postage. The thing was, it was just before I went to Mandello and I couldnt wait, so I got a regulator (std nothing special) from Guzzibits and put the old rectifier back on and went to Mandello. Never got round to refitting the ES one.