Permanent Magnet Alternator

[mistermoe]

Yes, Pete, the prices seem to have gone up - but I just put mine together and it was money well spent. For reference, here's what it cost me. Some pieces I could have gotten cheaper, with some patience, but I wasnt long on patience, since I wasnt RIDING...

Banshee Rotor - $65 + $10 shipping, eBay
Ninja 6 Stator - $35, Baltimore Cycle Salvage (I probably could have gotten this cheaper)
Banshee stator plate - $25 (eBay)
Adapter Plate (to fit stator plate to case) - $32.50, Hugh's Handbuilt
New reg/rec - $42.50, Hugh's Handbuilt (could have sourced this at Salvage, but I like punskalar's style)

Since I am running an 81, I had to switch to a points or aftermarket ignition. I swapped an advance unit from 10ecjed and got a Pamco, for $100.

So, for $300, I got a PMA conversion and a new ignition.

Installation was straightforward. I read a couple different versions of installation instructions. It's been a couple of weeks and I ride daily. I am running a battery (smaller than stock, but not a micro-battery) for awhile before deciding whether or not to go batteryless.

A couple of notes:

I highly recommend the upgrade. I've been through two stock rotors and that's quite enough, thank you.

With patience, you can find deals on the parts you need, if you want to go cheap. Craigslist, eBay, wrecker, whatever.

There are now at least two complete PMA setups that you can get for less than $350 (Hugh's and that other new one) that have all NEW components, if you have a little more coin.

Dont buy a Banshee stator, unless you get in a bundle with a rotor and plate (then you can sell the stator on eBay and get some of your money back). And take caliper measurements of whatever stator you choose off the list, if you can, to make sure it will fit. I am running a Ninja6 and it works fine. Expect that you might have to do some fiddly little fitting work and wire routing.

Loctite everything (once you're done dry-fitting).

I didnt bother refitting the woodruff key on the rotor, since it doesnt have to be indexed. I think others have done the same. If I have any problems, I will confess them here on the board, but it's running great at the moment. Make your own choice on this one.

Heat shrink your wiring with marine heat shrink tubing.

The reg/rec from Hugh's mounts in the stock position, you just use shorter screws because the new unit doesnt have the same standoff as the stock unit.

The goal doesnt have to be going battery-less. I really just wanted a more dependable power source, and I got it.

Oh, and dont lose the little ball bearing in your clutch adjustment screw mechanism when you take your side cover off.

Ride. Enjoy.

[ShakerNorm]

I've been comparing the PMA Kits from Hugh's Handbuilt and from XSCharge and wondering if anyone knows if there's any difference, and what kind of power that any of these setups would put out, or are they all basically the same?

I know that the Sparx setup can put out a LOT more power, but it's almost twice the price, too, so I'm looking at one of the Banshee-style setups.

[xsleo]

I belive XScharge has two systems out now. One is a 130 watt and the other is 200 watts. The only difference I have reasd about is the XS chagre flywheels have a keyway that matches the xs crank so you don't need to build a key.
In my opinion the Hughes is a better deal. Hugh has great customer support.
Leo

[vjxedge]

mrriggs: how can I order one of those brackets from you? I'm planning on doing the sway with the same parts you used. I just need the bracket for it.