Errr - you only need to 'excite' the alternator once (per start) ... so you don't need to hold it above 4,000 rpm.

Think this is what you want?
http://www.geocities.com/fwarner_au/mc_things/Alt.htm


----------
The alternator system is common to cars, buses, trucks, stationary engines, bmw and motoguzzie motorcycles. They all 'suffer' from the blub failure problem. And they too suffer from the oil blub failure fopllowed by oil stavation. Every time to turn teh motor on - check those warning blubs - they are there for a reason - you need them to work!!!

[This message has been edited by Frank Warner (edited 26 March 2006).]

No probs getting volunteered while I'm still at my parents. I see whether I can find the article again.

Surely you don't mean to say that failure of the bulb causes oil starvation?

Surely you don't mean to say that failure of the bulb causes oil starvation?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No. But Murphys' rules say it does.

Sorry. In clearer terms - if the bulb fails and then the oil pressure fails - you have no warning of the oil pressure failure ... so your motor will suffer greatly before you realise something is wrong. Usually to the extent where you throw that motor away.

I thought that that's what you thought, Frank! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

OK, I found the topic in the Boxer Forum. One writer says to use a 470 ohm 1W resistor in parallel with the lamp. Since it's rather long I didn't translate it all, especially since the writer didn't come up with the idea himself, but found it in this English article on the BMW charging system.

Thanks Frank, your explanation makes sense. I have forwarded your link on to my doubter. I must now go and gloat, then roll about upon the feathery cusions of self satisfaction. Even better is that my warm up technique so widely seen as abusive, is the best way to keep the alternater going when the bulb craps out, take it to redline and its excited for the duration..must be careful, too many bad jokes, and that bloody yorkshireman might get involved. Its all that self exciting that does it!

Thanks Bedhist for the links. Are you turning into a German, if you find a town called Bad Man could you photograph it for me! I have someone in mind.

cheers

alec

Some old stuff: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000011.html