advice please?

[donjack]

I'm looking at getting some 12v heated clothing for the upcoming winter months. the question is, will my standard battery be up to the job or should I invest in a new lithium battery?
I found this:-

http://www.genialmotor.it/catalog/KYMCO-DOWNTOWN-125-300-2009-XRACER-MOTORCYCLE-BATTERY-b1M

what I don't understand is the capacity, our battery is 12ah, the lithium is 18ah, would this damage my dt's electrical system?
cheers,
Don.

[de dee]

   higher Amp hours only lasts longer  , its the high voltage that kills ,

[gn2]

You need to know if the alternator can supply enough power to run the standard electricals and the heated clothing.
If its cold enough for heated clothing its probably too icy to ride......?

[donjack]

Thanks de dee for your input.
Gn2, I'll investigate further on the alternator. As to " too icy to ride", where I live, its next to the sea so we don't suffer ice as much, the roads a usually well gritted because of the local buses and.......i don't have the luxury of a car for my daily commute. I've been riding scooters for 20 odd years and I think I have missed about half a dozen days where the weather was that bad that I had to.........i hate to say this word........walk!! haha 😆 I also work shifts which make public transport a bit of a nightmare!! It's a case of take your time and be very VERY careful!!
Thanks again for your input, much appreciated 
Cheers,
Don.

[bluesin]

If you plan on plugging into your  glovebox outlet... the fuse is only .08 amps  ....   not enough . I put a 3 amp in mine .Short barrel fuse is what it takes.  I would probably upgrade battery as well . The heated clothings usually draw from battery . Gerber brand is supposed to be good .

[donjack]

Hello there bluesin, I had read about the glove box fuse and I have installed a new outlet just below the front of the seat with a 3 amp fuse direct from the battery just for the heated clothing, I thought it would be better downwards rather than across for some strange reason!! I'll definitely have a look at the Gerber.
Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Don.

[boo]

but you might consider one of these with good boots, warm gauntlet gloves, and a head cover under you helmet.
Cold weather is not a good time to be pulling excess power from your battery.
I bought one for about $80. last year. It is soft, comfortable and warm. It has extended my riding season.
Just a thought.

[de dee]

  about 15 years ago I pick up a army parka for artic it is good for 60 below zero, I have to vent it a little around here, to warm, only 20 below, 

[donjack]

Haha 😆 de dee, and I thought our British winters were cold! It gets to 5 degrees + and I'm wrapped up like Michelin man!! 

[bluesin]

Hello there bluesin, I had read about the glove box fuse and I have installed a new outlet just below the front of the seat with a 3 amp fuse direct from the battery just for the heated clothing, I thought it would be better downwards rather than across for some strange reason!! I'll definitely have a look at the Gerber.
Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Don.

Good idea ! Let us know what you do in the long run .

[zombie]

What you need to know is what the total wattage of the "clothes" will be, and add that into the full running draw the bike has all lit up. Most of the small scooters have a 35 amp alternator/stator with 65 amp peak, and really are already hitting the limit.

A larger ah battery is a good idea if it fits. It is nothing more than insurance tho, and will not effect how much power the stator puts out.
 The biggest draw on the bike is always the blinkers followed by the head/tail light. If you replace the blinkers, and other lights w/ LED's you will gain back almost 25 amps. A full conversion is generally around 25-30 bucks.

Good luck, and stay warm.

[donjack]

Thanks zombie, I'll defo look into the wattage that the clothing pulls and also replacing the lighting with led's, I'm waiting for a couple as we speak for the main beams, I already have HID's in the low beams, 55w. I'll have a look around at what bulbs I'll need for the indicators and brake lights.
Thanks again for your input.
Cheers,
Don.

[nushipwright]

interesting topic! I'm subscribed!

[zombie]

There's a 7.00 subscription fee to the poster of the thread.

[donjack]

Thanks zombie! My bank details are as follows:- .........