Was wondering what people are packing on their trips for battery banks for boosting and charging?
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Battery Bank
- Thread starter ToSlow
- Start date
I have a dislike for stators that require disassembly of the engine to replace. My 1200 Goldwing was a good example but my problems tended to be reg / rec. Theoretically a roadside repair but not fun. Getting another 50-60 miles to a safe spot would be an improvement. How much distance would a starter pack deliver with the headlight disconnected?
If someone has a bike with a documented history of sudden problems, by all means CYA with the tools and parts to replace the framus valve while on tour in Mongolia. Other than that it seems over the top to buy a bunch of new parts and keep them in the luggage instead of the motor.
That was probably a rhetorical question, but if your stator is shot and your battery died on the road then the answer is "not very far at all". Until you got the battery topped up. Then you'll get abiut 60 kms on the highway. And then it'll be dead again until you got the stator fixed.
Don't ask me how I know...
I was heading home to Peterborough and at the 404/401 junction I noticed I have no alternator, at night.
I made it home, the last 40km with the dash lights flashing like a disco. The battery was about 6 volts when I got home
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A buddy called me when his Goldwing was broken down in the eastern townships of Quebec heading to Toronto. I sent him to the hardware store to buy 3x 7amp emergency light batteries and a charger. Day one he got to Montreal, charged the batteries in the hotel overnight and got home day two.
I'm with Rick, keep the thing in good shape and it's not really a problem.
The "problem" is when you don't recognize that your charging system has failed and keep riding till the battery is flat. At that point you're pushing it.
If you think your charging system has failed (your headlight will dim), DON'T USE THE STARTER, push start it. Cranking the starter uses as much electrical power as running the bike for 30 minutes. The next biggest load on the battery is the headlight. Pull the fuse.
The coils need 6 amps to spark, the injectors and fuel pump need about 4 amps. The ECU will start to go wonky at about 9 or 10 volts.
this
Like WB and bitzz I've never really had a problem Except one day when the Wing wouldn't start at a gas station and we had to bump it. Squeeze was pushing me down a slight grade. I popped the clutch and gave it a shot of gas. Drove right out from under her and she landed face first. Luckily she was ATGATT and the only damage was some rash on her jacket cuffs.
As it turns out it was just the alternator connection. Pulled that and soldered it up direct. Problem solved.
As it turns out it was just the alternator connection. Pulled that and soldered it up direct. Problem solved.
I'll third the Micro-start.
I use a bank now with both USB-c and USB-a ports.
It will run the laptop, charge the phone and keep the phone running when I'm using it for navigation .
I've given up on a wired USB-a connection to the bike as I always have a 7L tank bag for both the battery bank and the camera.
Full screen brightness, GPS nav and audio book = very heavy battery drain on a phone.
Having a single device to support phone and laptop is very useful for me as often I'm out long enough even if not continuous riding to need a top up.
When I was using a MicroStart only needed it once for another rider and once to try and get the CBF1000 going when the stator failed.
So figured the jump start feature not useful.
The Micro-start lasted years...still works but is swollen now. Using a RAV- power 26,800 mAh currently and quite pleased with the performance. I do miss having the flash light the Micro-start had. That was useful.
I use a bank now with both USB-c and USB-a ports.
It will run the laptop, charge the phone and keep the phone running when I'm using it for navigation .
I've given up on a wired USB-a connection to the bike as I always have a 7L tank bag for both the battery bank and the camera.
Full screen brightness, GPS nav and audio book = very heavy battery drain on a phone.
Having a single device to support phone and laptop is very useful for me as often I'm out long enough even if not continuous riding to need a top up.
When I was using a MicroStart only needed it once for another rider and once to try and get the CBF1000 going when the stator failed.
So figured the jump start feature not useful.
The Micro-start lasted years...still works but is swollen now. Using a RAV- power 26,800 mAh currently and quite pleased with the performance. I do miss having the flash light the Micro-start had. That was useful.
Because of a previous reg/rec problem I installed an ammeter on the GL1200. I was north of Caledon when I saw it go full negative, pulled the headlight fuse and headed home. I passed a bike shop on Charleston SR in Caledon and considered stopping. A block later the bike started misfiring so I U-turned and barely made it to the shop. IIRC 10 volts was the lower limit.
The guys did a quick charge and it got me back to Brampton. Many thanks.
Having had multiple reg/rec problems I debated about an alternator conversion (Poor boy) but ended up with a newer Connie. Then a GL1500 with IIRC 90+ amps. The early GL1800s had an alternator that would let you weld a frame.
I had a similar problem with a stator / reg / rec on a boat. Since it was an I/O there was room for an alternator along with pulleys and room for brackets so when it packed it in it was a dockside fix. I hate stators.
The problem with the old Goldwing alternators wasn't the alternator, it was you had to pull the motor to replace it.
When buddy got back from down east, he dropped the bike on me, GEE THANKS, and I put an alternator off a small gas powered welder (a common Denzo thing) driven off the cam on the right head.
He ended up gifting me the bike, so in the end it was a good deal... but I still like to ***** about having to build that. I rode the bike for a couple of years, then gave it to another buddy that imported it into the Philippines. I think it's still going.
When buddy got back from down east, he dropped the bike on me, GEE THANKS, and I put an alternator off a small gas powered welder (a common Denzo thing) driven off the cam on the right head.
He ended up gifting me the bike, so in the end it was a good deal... but I still like to ***** about having to build that. I rode the bike for a couple of years, then gave it to another buddy that imported it into the Philippines. I think it's still going.
Doesn't matter how expensive or fancy your battery is.
As per the above, if your stator is shot, or you don't maintain it properly, it'll go flat faster than the cheapest, no-frill battery you can find.
The original thread has nothing to do with a bad stator. If you have a bad stator and still plan a long road trip, you get what you deserve.
No battery pack is going to keep saving you time and time again.
That would be plain dumb
I have a couple very small lithium packs , about the size of a deck of cards that will boost a phone to about 95%. Will not start a vehicle , for that I have a CAA plus card ( which also works in the US) and a Visa card. Never needed any of it, thank goodness.
Rider was stuck in in the far north and ended up buying a deep charge marine battery and a charger - riding for the day ( disconnect the lights etc ) then charging overnight. Got him to civilization. I got about 150 km from a fully charged new battery on the Vstrom but I suspect it was trickling a bit of power into the charging system.
Can't recall the exact circumstances but had to get to where there was a stator for the Vstrom available ( there was a recall on the model years and there were none to be had - guy from StromTrooper's original was working okay so he sold me his - about 100 miles away ). Managed to limp into a dealer to get it changed out.
I did get to stay in a very cool old civil war era B&B tho lugging the rather full side cases and top case up the creaky stairs was a chore.
Lovely breakfast on the expansive porch in Warm Springs VA. Had to stay two nights courtesy CAA/AAA - they paid it all. √
Not the trip I intended but an adventure none the less ....was a hot day and waiting for the tow truck a couple of girls drove by and threw me some water bottles which were very welcome.
75+ yr old tow truck driver showed up and after one tip over we got the bike secured on one of those ramp style flat beds.
I would not want to be downwind of me after that day.
Can't recall the exact circumstances but had to get to where there was a stator for the Vstrom available ( there was a recall on the model years and there were none to be had - guy from StromTrooper's original was working okay so he sold me his - about 100 miles away ). Managed to limp into a dealer to get it changed out.
I did get to stay in a very cool old civil war era B&B tho lugging the rather full side cases and top case up the creaky stairs was a chore.
Lovely breakfast on the expansive porch in Warm Springs VA. Had to stay two nights courtesy CAA/AAA - they paid it all. √
Not the trip I intended but an adventure none the less ....was a hot day and waiting for the tow truck a couple of girls drove by and threw me some water bottles which were very welcome.
75+ yr old tow truck driver showed up and after one tip over we got the bike secured on one of those ramp style flat beds.
I would not want to be downwind of me after that day.
I needed my CAA Premium card twice for the motorcycle, once as above and another with a shredded back tire on the Burgman on 144 past Renovo - long story but the kid finally got hold of AAA who then promptly got lost trying to find me ( duh ), then ran out fuel range and had to drive 40 minutes for fuel ( it was a Sunday ) ....I broke down at 11 am and got to the motel in Coudersport at 11 pm. 
Harley dealer in s NY State ordered the tire ( Sunday again ) which came in Monday - got a tow to them and was off and running by noon....CAA paid for all except the tire replacement tho the first tow AAA charged me and CAA reimbursed me.
I have no roadside here in Oz as never more than 150 km from home and buddy has a trailer but CAA Premium really worth it.
Electrical issues really are a bear when touring.
Harley dealer in s NY State ordered the tire ( Sunday again ) which came in Monday - got a tow to them and was off and running by noon....CAA paid for all except the tire replacement tho the first tow AAA charged me and CAA reimbursed me.
I have no roadside here in Oz as never more than 150 km from home and buddy has a trailer but CAA Premium really worth it.
Electrical issues really are a bear when touring.
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