I am currently restoring a British 1964 Velocette LE motorcycle. It is fitted with electrical components made by the, now defunct, Miller Company (also British).
The vehicle has a 6V 3 coil alternator with permanent magnets mounted on the flywheel and is rated at something over 60W. It is a former police bike and has an uprated alternator which, unlike the standard 6V alternator, does not convert well to 12V.
Originally the bike just had a lead acid battery, a selenium rectifier and no regulator but the load was balanced by a very complicated 8 pole switch which switched in the appropriate number of coils depending on the electrical load required. This worked reasonably well with an open vented lead acid battery.
I wish to fit a Cyclon 6V 8Ah sealed battery and understand that this will mean I must fit a regulator. My problem is that nobody seems to make a 6V regulator for an alternator. Podtronics in Texas make a 12V unit which will also allow conversion of the Lucas 6V alternator to 12V but, as mentioned, conversion from 6V to 12V is not advisable with my alternator.
I have spent considerable time searching for a suitable device but have come to the conclusion I will have to build one. I have the necessary amateur skill to do so but really have no idea about the design i.e. circuit design and component values. I realise heat dissipation is important but the mechanics of that I can deal with.
Any advice would be very gratefully received having spent interminable hours searching for a solution!
The vehicle has a 6V 3 coil alternator with permanent magnets mounted on the flywheel and is rated at something over 60W. It is a former police bike and has an uprated alternator which, unlike the standard 6V alternator, does not convert well to 12V.
Originally the bike just had a lead acid battery, a selenium rectifier and no regulator but the load was balanced by a very complicated 8 pole switch which switched in the appropriate number of coils depending on the electrical load required. This worked reasonably well with an open vented lead acid battery.
I wish to fit a Cyclon 6V 8Ah sealed battery and understand that this will mean I must fit a regulator. My problem is that nobody seems to make a 6V regulator for an alternator. Podtronics in Texas make a 12V unit which will also allow conversion of the Lucas 6V alternator to 12V but, as mentioned, conversion from 6V to 12V is not advisable with my alternator.
I have spent considerable time searching for a suitable device but have come to the conclusion I will have to build one. I have the necessary amateur skill to do so but really have no idea about the design i.e. circuit design and component values. I realise heat dissipation is important but the mechanics of that I can deal with.
Any advice would be very gratefully received having spent interminable hours searching for a solution!