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  1. #1
    Very Active Member WA5VHU's Avatar
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    Default 2014 Spyder RT Alternator Test

    We had an Aliner camping trailer we pulled with our car but we replaced it with a Combi-Camp motorcycle camping trailer so we could pull it behind our Spyder. (The Aliner is still for sale if anyone is interested). Where we camp at the beach there are no hookups for the trailer so we kept the Aliner battery charged with either a Honda EU2000i generator or a 1,000 Watt inverter in the car. With the Spyder and the Combi-Camp we can’t really haul a heavy generator to recharge the camper battery so I thought I would check out the 2014 Spyder’s new alternator charging capacity.

    What I found was very impressive.

    I am using a brand new Harbor Freight 12V 35AH AGM battery. Using my AC house powered battery charger/discharger I first charged the battery then discharged it to about 50% (11.92V), about 18AH out of the battery, to make sure it met specifications (it did). I then took the battery out to the driveway and charged it back up with the Spyder.

    The #10 gauge wiring connecting the two batteries had about 0.1Ω resistance, which helped limit the inrush current when the discharged camper’s battery was initially connected across the Spyder’s battery.

    It only took about 2½ hours to recharge the battery. The Spyder didn't seem to mind idling for that long and the alternator didn't seem to mind the load either. It was 55° and sunny outside, the Spyder’s temperature gauge stayed in the middle and the fans cycled occasionally. Revving up the engine resulted in only a small increase in charge current, not worth worrying about it.

    I will use a battery isolator http://www.batterymart.com/p-acc-200...-isolator.html and put the camper’s battery in the back trunk of the Spyder, with heavy gauge wire run up to the Spyder’s battery. With this setup we can charge the camper’s battery as we ryde around during the day or even just idle the Spyder at the campground if necessary.

    The chart below shows some of the details of the test:
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Current:
    2016 Honda CTX700 DCT ABS (faring model)
    Kip Moto SherpaX Cargo Trailer

    Wife Has:
    2014 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited
    2016 Lees-ure Lite Camping Trailer

    Previous:
    2013 Can-Am Spyder RS SE5, zoom-zoom!
    2011 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE5, Foot Burner - Gasoline Boiling Stinker - Gas Tank Vacuum Puller



  2. #2
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Good to know..!!

    nice testing and great information on the new alternator system... thanks for sharing...
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

    ​2012 RS sm5
    2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black

  3. #3
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    Default

    I wonder how a 998 RT would handle charging at idle?

    Thanks for this information!
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  4. #4
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    Default

    Interesting info. So, you left your spyder sitting idling for 2 1/2 hours? Wow....I don't think I would have done that, but that's me.

  5. #5
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    That's only because you live in Joizee, and some punk would have ridden off on it in about four seconds...
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  6. #6
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    Default

    Not without being shot....

  7. #7
    Very Active Member WA5VHU's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrewNJ View Post
    Interesting info. So, you left your spyder sitting idling for 2 1/2 hours? Wow....I don't think I would have done that, but that's me.
    I did worry about idling for so long however it is under warranty, though I would never purposefully cause damage to it. I was hoping that BRP had done their homework on the heat issues with the new models and based on my one test it looks promising, although it was only 55° outside when I tested it. The radiator cooling fans cycled on occasionally but there was never much heat coming from under the tupperware.

    I would never have run this test with my previous Foot Burner, Gasoline Boiling Stinker, Gas Tank Vacuum Puller 2011 RT. If I had run this test with the 2011 it would likely have required a call to the fire department.

    Charles
    Current:
    2016 Honda CTX700 DCT ABS (faring model)
    Kip Moto SherpaX Cargo Trailer

    Wife Has:
    2014 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited
    2016 Lees-ure Lite Camping Trailer

    Previous:
    2013 Can-Am Spyder RS SE5, zoom-zoom!
    2011 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE5, Foot Burner - Gasoline Boiling Stinker - Gas Tank Vacuum Puller



  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrewNJ View Post
    Not without being shot....
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by WA5VHU View Post
    I did worry about idling for so long however it is under warranty, though I would never purposefully cause damage to it. I was hoping that BRP had done their homework on the heat issues with the new models and based on my one test it looks promising, although it was only 55° outside when I tested it. The radiator cooling fans cycled on occasionally but there was never much heat coming from under the tupperware.

    I would never have run this test with my previous Foot Burner, Gasoline Boiling Stinker, Gas Tank Vacuum Puller 2011 RT. If I had run this test with the 2011 it would likely have required a call to the fire department.

    Charles
    I suppose that a decent-sized cooling fan could be pointed at the air inlet on a 998-equipped bike...

    Glad to hear that the 1330 didn't need it!
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  10. #10
    Very Active Member WA5VHU's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
    I suppose that a decent-sized cooling fan could be pointed at the air inlet on a 998-equipped bike...

    Glad to hear that the 1330 didn't need it!
    Maybe something like this to keep the 998 cool...

    Attached Images Attached Images
    Current:
    2016 Honda CTX700 DCT ABS (faring model)
    Kip Moto SherpaX Cargo Trailer

    Wife Has:
    2014 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited
    2016 Lees-ure Lite Camping Trailer

    Previous:
    2013 Can-Am Spyder RS SE5, zoom-zoom!
    2011 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE5, Foot Burner - Gasoline Boiling Stinker - Gas Tank Vacuum Puller



  11. #11
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    Default

    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  12. #12
    Very Active Member bruiser's Avatar
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    Bob, the 998 wouldn't do well. Two things; the heat issue and battery charging doesn't really happen until around 4,000 rpm.



    USAF '69-'89 E7
    Thailand/Vietnam 1972
    Member: Royal Order of Rat Bastards







  13. #13
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    Default

    I was figuring that...

    Sorry...
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

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