R100/R80 400 watt alternator

**John Ferris** · #1 22 Oct 2002

I am thinking of buying the 400 watt alternator kit from Motorrad Elektrik.
I have read 3 good reviews from the Airheads list. Has anyone herad of any problems with them?
John

**Story Leavesley** · #2 22 Oct 2002

I've heard good things about the conversion kit too. I already have most of Rick's parts for the conversion installed on my PD. Unfortunately, there are several special purpose parts for the kit, including a special diode board, stator, and rotor.

And there's the reason I decided not to install the kit on my PD. If I'm halfway around the world and I have problems with my stock BMW charging system, I can carry a spare rotor or diode board or get one from almost any BMW dealer and get back on the road. However, if I have Rick's kit installed, I have to carry his special purpose parts or order them from him.

If I were using my BMW locally I would definitely install the kit. For my RTW bike I'll stick with the stock charging system, upgraded with the solid mounts, Thunderchild diode board, Motorrad voltage regulator, and rewound stator.

Story

**nobby** · #3 24 Oct 2002

hi story
if your having problems with your elecrics check out the folowing websites reading them tranformed my electrics
http://www.airheads.org/contrib/wireupgrade.html
http://www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/airheads...ing.info.shtml
the things to be done can easly be done on the road
cheers chris

**Mombassa** · #4 29 Oct 2002

There are a few issues with the Omega upgrade. For one, I don't think Rick sells a second rotor to go with as a spare. As well, the stock rotor is not as wide and won’t generate any juice with the Omega stator. There’ve been a few failures of the 400 w upgrade. The diode board (actually made by Emerald Island in the Far East) is an absolute beauty. I changed my brushes, installed a stock rebuilt rotor from Rick and put an Omega (see pics below) diode board in (without the rest of the upgrade) and got stunning results. I nearly have to stall the bike to get the alternator light to come on. I have a good dry cell battery and an after market Transpo voltage reg as well.

http://www.nohorizons.net/Pictures/R...0board%201.jpg

http://www.nohorizons.net/Pictures/R...0board%202.JPG

------------------
Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

**Gijs** · #5 29 Oct 2002

Hello John Ferris,

Do you have the website of Motorrad Elektrik ??

thanx
Gijs

**John Ferris** · #6 30 Oct 2002

My old alternator was fine but I am going to get 2 jacket liners from Gerbing, 77 watts each. I don't think the old 280 watt will handle the jackets and extra lights on the bike. I have just installed it, but I am waiting for other parts for other things on the bike before I put the bike back together. Rick says that a stock R80/100 with the headlight and taillight on will draw 150 watts. Add the rest of your elect. gears watts to get your total. He is at
http://www.motoelekt.com/
Go to links on this site, his link is under Motorcycle parts.

[This message has been edited by John Ferris (edited 29 October 2002).]

**Rene Cormier** · #7 12 Jan 2003

John, I am in a similar position with the 400watt Omega and am curious what you decided to do.

kberretta: could you be more specific with the failures that you have heard about?

Cheers,
Rene

**John Ferris** · #8 12 Jan 2003

I did install the Omega alternator kit. The only problem I had was installing the solid diode board mounts. Very hard to get to and of course when I moved the vent hose it broke into several pieces.
I have not heard of any problems, but if there was you can not get parts easily.
A friend of mine had a old alternator stator. I took the cover off of it and used it for the new stator.
Then I put my old rotor in my old stator with the cover and brushes in place. I packed it in a box ready to be shipped.
I had one of Rick's rewound rotors on my bike for 90,000 miles with no problems. If there should be a problem with the Omega kit my old alternator is ready to go.
John