Additional lights on FJ1200

[johnf154]

Hi all, new to this site. Have FJ 1200 which I converted to a trike, since I am a bit ancient, and have fitted extra lights. Charging system is just about coping, so need eithet to improve charging or replace alternator/battery. Suggestions (clean ones) would be appreciated.
John

[simi_ed]

John, your options are pretty limited.  You can upgrade to an external regulator that will better control the charging.  You can also upgrade some of the lamps to LED to save some power, but not the dash lamps (they don't last) nor turn signals (changes the flash rate & you lose the self-cancelling feature).
As far as upgrading the alternator, you're in uncharted territory.  I contacted a shop that specializes in upgrading alternators to a higher charge rate; they told me the FJ alternator was 100% full & there was no room for more copper to get more power.  Otherwise you need more alternator rpm which would be difficult, or perhaps supercooling the alternator. 

Let us know if you come up with another option to get more amps.

Ed

[johnf154]

Thanks Ed, appreciate your information.
John

[weymouth399]

Welcome johnf154

The FJ charging system will carry quite a load. You could run a extra batt in line or use led lights and probably be ok. The FJ has a tendency to over charge, there are cheap fixes to that problem though. (both of mine are over 15v at rev) Pay attention to your batt vent hose for routing away from bike.
(very important in a overcharge condition) Mine drips now and then. Check water level regularly also.

Pics we like pics, never seen a FJ trike but do believe there may be one in my future. (sooner than later too)


Bob W

[Tengu]

I've been considering putting additional lights on for a while now. I'm not keen on HID due to space and power draw. So I have thought a lot about LEDs. There are a few to choose from. Clearwater look good but expensive, especially due to the British pound, there is a fellow on adventure rider forum sells LED lights, and another style available here in Oz on sunshine coast called Xvision.
There are so many to choose from and the range in prices and power levels / brightness are also greatly variable.
So whilst there are some great options, here in Australia the law requires a separate switch for any auxiliary lights. And the hassle of all the wiring! Lol
However power draw is much less and light just as bright as other options

A question tho: how do you mount additional lights on the FJ and keep it looking like an FJ?

[johnf154]

Welcome johnf154

The FJ charging system will carry quite a load. You could run a extra batt in line or use led lights and probably be ok. The FJ has a tendency to over charge, there are cheap fixes to that problem though. (both of mine are over 15v at rev) Pay attention to your batt vent hose for routing away from bike.
(very important in a overcharge condition) Mine drips now and then. Check water level regularly also.

Pics we like pics, never seen a FJ trike but do believe there may be one in my future. (sooner than later too)


Bob W

Thanks Bob, Forgive me if I am a bit slow not very good with websites and how to use them, grey matter is a bit ancient. appreciate the information, if I can find out how to add photos will do. Looks like you are well experienced in modifications.

[johnf154]

Welcome johnf154

The FJ charging system will carry quite a load. You could run a extra batt in line or use led lights and probably be ok. The FJ has a tendency to over charge, there are cheap fixes to that problem though. (both of mine are over 15v at rev) Pay attention to your batt vent hose for routing away from bike.
(very important in a overcharge condition) Mine drips now and then. Check water level regularly also.

Pics we like pics, never seen a FJ trike but do believe there may be one in my future. (sooner than later too)


Bob W

Hi again Bob, have managed to some put photos on gallery.
John

[johnf154]

I've been considering putting additional lights on for a while now. I'm not keen on HID due to space and power draw. So I have thought a lot about LEDs. There are a few to choose from. Clearwater look good but expensive, especially due to the British pound, there is a fellow on adventure rider forum sells LED lights, and another style available here in Oz on sunshine coast called Xvision.
There are so many to choose from and the range in prices and power levels / brightness are also greatly variable.
So whilst there are some great options, here in Australia the law requires a separate switch for any auxiliary lights. And the hassle of all the wiring! Lol
However power draw is much less and light just as bright as other options

A question tho: how do you mount additional lights on the FJ and keep it looking like an FJ?

Hi Tengu, Additional lights fitted to my Trike are extra tail/stop/indicator to rear. Strip LED driving lights ( coming into force for all vehicles before long in UK) in front of rear lights for marker side lights, and two "Angel Eye" spotlights currently mounted on a short angle iron mounted from engine guard, but am looking to fit these either direct to fairing or engine guard. Have monuted two switches fed direct from battery in place of left hand  fairing vent. One operates "Angel Eye" which is a single LEd that shines only around rim of spotlight and second switch is for the  normal spotlight.
Cheers
John

[fj11.5]

 great looking trike mate, 

[johnf154]

topic=5460.msg47810#msg47810 date=1
322669679]
great looking trike mate, 
[/quote]Thanks, enjoyed building it and now riding. cruises very stabil even high speeds.(Well you have to test these things don`t you) Leading link forks made a lot of difference. Understand you are facing op soon and would like to wish you well with that and hope you are soon riding again.
John

[flips]

Hi there.
My first suggestion is get a good battery,the higher the CCA number the better.I have been running a H.I.D headlight (uses less power, 35w,and has much better light output)without any trouble for about a year now,although some members have posted quality/reliability issues.I also run a pair of little 55w spots via a relay off the high beam circuit,mounted on small brackets of the oil cooler.Have you done the headlight relay mod yet?

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=2377

or Harvey did it this way....

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=67

Cheers

Jeff P

[fj11.5]

topic=5460.msg47810#msg47810 date=1
322669679]
great looking trike mate, 

Thanks, enjoyed building it and now riding. cruises very stabil even high speeds.(Well you have to test these things don`t you) Leading link forks made a lot of difference. Understand you are facing op soon and would like to wish you well with that and hope you are soon riding again.
John
[/quote]

topic=5460.msg47810#msg47810 date=1
322669679]
great looking trike mate, 

Thanks, enjoyed building it and now riding. cruises very stabil even high speeds.(Well you have to test these things don`t you) Leading link forks made a lot of difference. Understand you are facing op soon and would like to wish you well with that and hope you are soon riding again.
John 
[/quote]      testing is a must do, never know when you may have the need for kookaloo ,,  had the op mate and recovering nicely thanks  ,,  leading links would make all the differance to handling, , any decent sidecar uses them as well

[Marsh White]

Yes, beautiful looking trike!  Love the exhaust!  Here are your pics:

[E Double]

John, your options are pretty limited.  You can upgrade to an external regulator that will better control the charging.  You can also upgrade some of the lamps to LED to save some power, but not the dash lamps (they don't last) nor turn signals (changes the flash rate & you lose the self-cancelling feature).
As far as upgrading the alternator, you're in uncharted territory.  I contacted a shop that specializes in upgrading alternators to a higher charge rate; they told me the FJ alternator was 100% full & there was no room for more copper to get more power.  Otherwise you need more alternator rpm which would be difficult, or perhaps supercooling the alternator. 

Let us know if you come up with another option to get more amps.

Ed

Leds last fine in the dash.  Mine have been in for over two years and 30K miles.

My front turn signals are made by Rizoma.  They're LED.  I have LEDs in my wingrack turn signals.  When you use leds you just have to add resistors inline.  My Rizomas came with four.  I used them all;  Auto cancel still works.

Luckily for us the FJ is carbureted;  You're starting with 365w (26a @ 14v); If you switch all of the lights to LED, and go with a 35watt HID in the headlight you'll see a big gain in reserve power.    I'm thinking about getting a Wee-Strom, and they only have about 65 watts available after FI and everything else.  In the winter I'm using a heated jacket liner, gloves, socks and now pants, and I still have some juice left over on the FJ.

Check this guy's stuff out; http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/StoreFront.bok  The thread for this guy's products (Sanjoh) over at ADV Forums is 120 pages long, and growing.  From reading all of the folks reviews it appears that he's putting out a good product.  I'll probably be picking some up in the near future.

[Brook]

...... Is there any other bike out there, that you can change, in so many different ways. ... Just saying!!