Main fuse limitations?

[ldbandit76]

I'm becoming convinced that the newer model of alternator for the Bandit will physically fit on my first-gen bike.  However, the main fuse on my ride is 30 amps, wired between the alternator and battery.  That's 420 watts maximum, at the usual 14 V operating range of the system, or less at 12 volts nominal.  The new alternator puts out 550 watts.  

Does this mean that I would be unable to use the extra capacity of the new alternator, or at least that I'd have to wire directly to it, instead of to the battery?  Or is there another option?

Have any of you circumvented main fuse limitations?

Dave

[Red01]

Haven't needed to, but then my ony loads are heated grips and a heated jacket - and they both tap directly off the battery, so in a worst case scenario, I'd probably run my battery dead before I blew the fuse. And I don't think I'm taking more from the battery than the alternator can keep up with or else my original battery would have given up the ghost by now. In fact, at almost six years old, I'm surprised it hasn't signed off just from normal use.

[ldbandit76]

But Red, you've got the 2001 model, which was made for the larger alternator.  Do you know what size your main fuse is?  More importantly, do you know what gauge the wire is between the alternator and the main fuse?

If the wire is the same size as on my bike, then my main fuse is probably undersized, and I can just swap in a bigger one.  But if Suzuki increased the wire gauge, then I'll need to do that, too, since I plan on using every amp I can get out of the thing (why upgrade otherwise?).  

I'll check the output wire part numbers, just to see...

Dave

[PeteSC]

The main fuse on the newer bandits is still a 30 amp.
  You're not looking at a major increase in amperage, going from 400 to 550 watts.  
  You're not thinking of powering something straight off the alternator, are you?
     

[ldbandit76]

The extra 150 watts of the new one could run a heck of a set of driving lights, or a full heated outfit, or parts of both, plus whatever I can get now.   I think that's a significant improvement, even if it's not Gold Wing territory.  

But, if the second gen models also have the 30 amp fuse, I wonder why Suzuki bothered putting the bigger alternator in.  There's no increase in useable capacity.  

And, if necessary, I might try running something straight off the alternator.  I'm also willing to re-wire between the alt. and battery with larger wire, and fusing to match.  

Dave

[Wooddog]

I  am not 100% sure but I think the  30 amp main fuse is between the starter and battery. Not between the alternator and battery. I have a 2002 -1200 bandit/s. I work mostly  with 120/208 volt  and 277/480 AC. I don't do a whole lot with 12volt DC.  But the principal idea is the same. I looked and I think the main  wire coming off the alternator is  a #12awg copper/ stranded wire which sould be good for 20amps.  I dont have a wiring diagram.  But I would probably say bring your accesories off the battery not the alternator.  The larger alternator on the newer bandits would probably charge the battery  up a little quicker.  I would look in some of the Manuals for a wiring diagram and you might get some more information there.  I hope this helps  you a little bit.

[Tundrahog]

Looking at the wiring diagram, it appears that the 30A fuse is between the battery and everything but the starter.  Seems like an odd set-up, there's no fuse at all between the battery and the starter motor.  Does that seem right?

[Red01]

Yes.

I can't recall ever seeing a starter with a fuseon a car or bike.
Fuse link on some cages maybe.

[Kickstart]

Looking at the wiring diagram, it appears that the 30A fuse is between the battery and everything but the starter.  Seems like an odd set-up, there's no fuse at all between the battery and the starter motor.  Does that seem right?

The fuse is between the alternator and the battery, but there is a seperate feed from the alternator directly to the bikes electrical system and a wire from the battery to the bikes electrical system. The only currect going through that fuse seems to be the excess current from the alternator that is not being used by the bike.

All the best

Keith

[Wooddog]

Like I said I dont have a manual or a wiring diagram, But I wont open my mouth and insert my foot again without referring  to one. I guess I need to ask some one to buy me a Bandit Manual for Christmas.  I thought  I would  pull off the left side cover and trace the wire  from the  starter  to  the battery  and  to me it looks like the large wire from the starter goes to the fuse block that holds the 30 amp main fuse, and from there it goes to the battery, but apparently it does not. or  it does not make connections internally and it just uses that fuse block as an Junction box.  would some one else pull there left side cover and trace that wire from the starter and tell me that I am not loosing my mind or am I?

[Red01]

I guess I need to ask some one to buy me a Bandit Manual for Christmas.

Merry Christmas! <<<click there for your gift.