How good is a TRX standard battery?

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:16 pm

Question for you smart electrical types. How many starts could i expect to get out of a standard fully charged Trx battery once i disconnect the charging curcuit? I'd need about 10 starts on a typical track day.
A father and son racing outfit (Jon Cartwright Jnr and Snr) that used to run a trx in the national comp here a few years ago removed the alternator from the bike and Jon senior reckoned that the bike revved more freely. So i'm thinking along these lines for my track bike. Will the alternator come out easily or will i need a puller? Is it just one plug?
All other electrics have been removed from the bike so the battery will only have to power the starter ,the neutral light and the CDI.
I could probably get half these answers from the manual but wheres the fun in that.
CYA, Kev.

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:46 pm

Not an electrical type (hate those little wiggly-amps) so this is based on experience, not science. I suggest you take a 4 or 6 amp charger/maintainer and fully recharge the battery overnight before you go and also in between sessions. That's what the Cartwrights would have done and it's what I did for the Triton which runs total loss ignition (Lucas Rita

) and got a bump (or roller if available) start each time. Some chargers come with the cable/plug to permanently attach the cable to the battery and you simply plug in the charger via a plug when required (I have a CTEK)

Without a charger it's unlikely the bike would be running very well towards the end of the day unless you bump her instead of using the electric leg.

Post by **Max** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:30 pm

I used to have to charge my battery between sessions on my FZR400 and that was with push starts... I doubt the TRX is anymore efficient and it's a bitch to push start (didn't you just sell something like that?).

As for the alternator. I had to borrow a puller, wouldn't budge... Thought if I turned any more I'd break something... Got my heat gun (hairdryer from hell) and started heating it up when BANG the wheel and puller flew off, hit my leg and then landed on top of the puller's metal carrycase, crushing it. Fortunately it was fine, my leg hurt like hell and the carrycase... nothing a hammer wouldn't fix. Tetsu had a strange look on his face when I returned it though...

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:46 pm

Thanks for that guys. I have a charger hard wired onto the battery so that isn't a problem. I'll look into a lead that i can run off the cigarette lighter in the car because power is almost non-existent at the track. Or maybe take along the other bikes battery as a backup. What about jumperleads would they need to be the shielded type to prevent blowing the cdi ?
How much do you reckon the alternator itself weighs max? I'm sure Honk would be interested in that answer

Thanks again, Kev.

Post by **Max** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:02 pm

Kevtrx849 wrote: How much do you reckon the alternator itself weighs max? I'm sure Honk would be interested in that answer
Thanks again, Kev.

Oh, about a ton and a half... Sure felt like it when it hit my leg. It's probably close to a couple kilos.

But once it's gone, what are you going to do about timing???

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:40 pm

Well thats the end of that idea

Didn't know timing was via the charging circuit, thought that was the CDI's job. How did you manage with the FZR400 or was it just the battery removed?
Kev.

Post by **Max** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:50 pm

RC SUGO had a kit that consisted of a small bolt on rotor, a pickup coil and an angled side cover. You could probably just remove the guts of the charging coil, but it would only lessen the magnetic "friction" drain and wouldn't be worth the hassle.

Ridgifumi · Post by **Ridgifumi** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:36 am

i think Kev wants to enter it as a wildcard down the island in October though Max

actually he'd probably lap quicker than the Ilmor

Post by **Max** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:49 pm

I think they should change the name to "More-Ill-Than-a-Sick-Dog". Wassup with those 5 second a lap slower times?

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:14 pm

I'd be pretty happy if i was only 5 seconds a lap slower

Post by **Max** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:04 pm

I would too!

Unless I spent an ungodly amount of money to build a bike only to watch it get lapped.