Chummy dynamo

[Nick Salmon]

Out for a potter in the Chummy today I switched in the dynamo which showed a charge (thank you Vince Leek!). But then I asked myself the question - For how long should I leave the dynamo switched in?

Could a kind soul enlighten me please?

[Tony Betts]

hi nick,

i take it you have a mag?

it depends on what electricory you are useing.

if you started it on the handle, and havent used the horn or lights etc. then nothing has taken a power from the battery.

as the mag doesnt need the battery to work.

if im honest even useing the starter motor. with a good battery you will never need the dynamo. from april to september.

lights take alot of power from the battery, so i would run the dyno wilst you have lights on.

hope that helps.

tony.

[Robert Leigh]

Nick
I'm more cautious than Tony; I use the dynamo for 10 to 15 mins after an easy start on the starter, and also as he said if the lights are on. If you have a meter for checking the battery voltage, put a bit of charge in until it shows 6.3-6.5 volts when nothing is turned on. It may show higher than this while charging.

[Nick Salmon]

Thanks both. Yes, it does have a mag. I think I will adopt 'a little, and not too often' as my approach to using the dynamo.