Clone Charging?

[Getsome]

I bought a Predator 420cc (13HP) from Harbor Freight that I'm using on my build. I want to put 4X18 watt LED lights on it. I can't find anything in the owners manual in regards to how much power the factory charge coil/stator, is putting out? There is a stator listed in the parts break down. I'm sure it's not nearly enough to do what I'm trying to do. Will the Honda GX390 charge or Lighting coils fit the 420? I've searched to web all over to find out more on this and I've hit a dead end.

 

[Hellion]

I'm not inclined to think any of the Predator motors would be suitable for running accessory lights, unless of course it was a drop-in replacement engine for a riding mower which commonly have headlights to begin with.

Have you been fruitful in your information search as of now?

 

[chancer]

I'm not inclined to think any of the Predator motors would be suitable for running accessory lights, unless of course it was a drop-in replacement engine for a riding mower which commonly have headlights to begin with.

That is not True. Some predators do have a charge system, Just not the 6.5hp.

 

[Hellion]

Well, which ones then? Don't waste your breath chastising me, tell the OP.

 

[chancer]

I bought a Predator 420cc (13HP) in regards to how much power the factory charge coil/stator, is putting out? .

Sounds like he knows. You were the only one left to chastise.

 

[Denny]

The 420 and the 670 are the only 2 Predators capable of charging.

Denny

 

[Getsome]

Thanks for the comments guys. I know the 420 has a charging system, just no sure how much. Once I get it going, I will measure the output so everyone will know. This 420cc is a mystery on the internet. Not much information at all on them. I'm learning as I go. Heck, Denny was the one to tell me it was a hemi.

 

[mckutzy]

420 isn't...
Only the 212...of the right stock number and the ultra visible cast aluminum valve cover...

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Check the Buggies Gone Wild forum. Guys over there putting modified big blocks on golf carts left and right. If it's been done, they've done it.

 

[Denny]

420 isn't...
Only the 212...of the right stock number and the ultra visible cast aluminum valve cover...

Go look at those canted valves in his pictures and weird rockerarms and then tell me what you think. The valve cover is also very different from my 420.

Denny

 

[watase]

The literature for the 420 doesn't say anything at all in regards to it's charging capabilities. I've searched in the past for the same information and many websites/forums say that it's a 3amp output due to the coil that it has. They also say that it's possible to put another coil in for a total of 6amps. Still that's quite low powerwise, enough to keep your battery charged but not much else.

4x 18 watt LEDs at 12v is 6amps already. You could always just run a small alternator to get the power you need? You can get some pretty inexpensively.

 

[mckutzy]

I guess I stand corrected.... I thought they were the "old style" motor.
I had a look of this new motor. I did think that too, of the valves and there odd placement.
interesting..

 

[itsid]

I think you can almost double the amperage without installing a new coil at all ..
IDK what the 420 does, but
most charging system on clones use a lousy single filter diode to achieve DC charging.
In which case a nice four diode rectifier setup can get the cutoff rest of the generated voltage too
and thus nearly doubling that charge.
(not the amperage though... that's limited by the coil itself, you're only refreshing the battery twice as fast [simplified speaking])

but with the battery as a buffer you can certailny run at least 40Watts of lights for about 90% of your driving time..
(say you're plowing the nearby wood for 2hrs with the kart.. you should have the lights turned off for about 15mins in order to not drain your battery)

A slightly larger battery (buffer) and a second coil to get to 6amps and you should be good..

'sid

 

[Getsome]

I think you can almost double the amperage without installing a new coil at all ..
IDK what the 420 does, but
most charging system on clones use a lousy single filter diode to achieve DC charging.
In which case a nice four diode rectifier setup can get the cutoff rest of the generated voltage too
and thus nearly doubling that charge.
(not the amperage though... that's limited by the coil itself, you're only refreshing the battery twice as fast [simplified speaking])

but with the battery as a buffer you can certailny run at least 40Watts of lights for about 90% of your driving time..
(say you're plowing the nearby wood for 2hrs with the kart.. you should have the lights turned off for about 15mins in order to not drain your battery)

A slightly larger battery (buffer) and a second coil to get to 6amps and you should be good..

'sid

Thanks for the advice, I was looking into a rectifier. TBH, the lights are more for show than anything. I'm 43 years old. Chances of me being out riding at night are very slim. I go to bed around 8 o'clock most nights.

 

[itsid]

well then;
install a nice size battery (a 48Ah battery is good for 8h or about three tanks of fuel ),
have a toggle switch for your lights..
and if you need to, just recharge the battery over night for the show next day.

Really, I wouldn't worry too much, a rectifier for the added bonus
and if you run out of battery power, just pull start and recharge at home

'sid

 

[not_a_bot]

I think you can almost double the amperage without installing a new coil at all ..
IDK what the 420 does, but
most charging system on clones use a lousy single filter diode to achieve DC charging.
In which case a nice four diode rectifier setup can get the cutoff rest of the generated voltage too
and thus nearly doubling that charge.
(not the amperage though... that's limited by the coil itself, you're only refreshing the battery twice as fast [simplified speaking])

but with the battery as a buffer you can certailny run at least 40Watts of lights for about 90% of your driving time..
(say you're plowing the nearby wood for 2hrs with the kart.. you should have the lights turned off for about 15mins in order to not drain your battery)

A slightly larger battery (buffer) and a second coil to get to 6amps and you should be good..

'sid

Now this is relevant to my interests. How would one go about replacing the diode and adding a rectifier?
Can you pint me to the right direction, please?

I have a 6.5 HP clone with an electric start kit.

 

[itsid]

That's actually pretty straight forward
as long as you have two wires coming from the coil that is...

A std bridge rectifier as found nearly anywhere for cheap,
has four taps, one of which is turned 90°; that's your positive (DC +), the one diagonally across is your negative (DC -)
the other two are the AC inputs.
like this:


Now take your coil and atach the two wires to the AC taps;
the DC negative can go to any ground, and the remaining DC positive attaches to whatever that single filter diode was attached to.

On single wire coils, it's more difficult though, since you'll need to find the other end of the coil and attach a wire to that end as well.
it's likely under the heatwrap with another -hidden away- filter diode that has to be removed.
So patience, an exacto knife, soldering iron some length of wire and new heatwrap will be required I'm afraid

'sid

 

[Getsome]

well then;
install a nice size battery (a 48Ah battery is good for 8h or about three tanks of fuel ),
have a toggle switch for your lights..
and if you need to, just recharge the battery over night for the show next day.

Really, I wouldn't worry too much, a rectifier for the added bonus
and if you run out of battery power, just pull start and recharge at home

'sid

I think this is what I'll do. I have electric start, and a 8 gallon fuel tank on order. I'll pull the flywheel this weekend and see what I got under the hood. If there is a single charge coil, I'll see if a GX390 coil will fit, then add an additional one. I see photos of dual charge coils on the net. 6 amps is better than 3. I already bought a charger, the one you leave the leads on the battery and jut plug up after riding.

 

[chancer]

TBH. I'm 43 years old. Chances of me being out riding at night are very slim. I go to bed around 8 o'clock most nights.

Holy Crap! I will be 42 in October. Is this what I have to look forward to!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Holy Crap! I will be 42 in October. Is this what I have to look forward to!

I'm 35, and rarely get out of bed before noon

Thank you Sid, for the excellent explanation, I'll be using that in the future.