Tympanium with a mag on a triumph

[kendall666]

Anyone out there running just the tympanium with a magneto and getting power to their lights? This is the set up that I followed and I have power to my switch but not my tail light, head light or brake light. I guess it could be a bad switch but I just wanted to see if anyone else has had any luck with this set up/diagram

[TriNortchopz]

Anyone out there running just the tympanium with a magneto and getting power to their lights? This is the set up that I followed and I have power to my switch but not my tail light, head light or brake light. I guess it could be a bad switch but I just wanted to see if anyone else has had any luck with this set up/diagram

[ATTACH=CONFIG]83349[/ATTACH]

The Tympanium is a simple setup and it looks like ya got that wired correctly for negative ground;see pdf instructions here:

http://www.britcycle.com/Manuals/TympaniumInst.pdf

You got power to switch, but your diagram shows the switch wired just to the headlight; I would have the red wire to the switch first, which you described.
Did you measure the voltage at the red wire connected to your switch? What about the voltage comin' out of the switch?
The other important part of the system is good grounds; are the lights properly grounded - with a ground wire from the forks to the frame so the ground is not through the neck bearings?
If that is all good, then it should work. You tested the LEDs?

Here is a bit of good reading from a CC Thread; Triumph Wiring:

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21390

[kendall666]

Thank you for the response and the links. My grounds are to the headlight bolts that hold the lights to the mounts. I know they have internal grounding positions so I think I should switch it back to them. I have tested all the lights before installation and everything worked. I have not checked the voltage coming out of the switch yet. I guess what I'll have to do is check all my grounds and make sure nothing is loose. I'm sure its something simple. I appreciate your input!

[TriNortchopz]

Ya, good grounds will help, especially for the headlight - one often forgotten.

Since we're talking Brit, here is technical info on other bits from CBS:

Our Technical Files page will have all the information to help you troubleshoot any issue and also keep your motorcycle on the road running strong. Feel free to download, save, or share any of the information you find...

https://www.classicbritishspares.com/pages/tech-files

[kendall666]

Will definitely start with the grounds, I changed out my original switch as well since it was getting power but not putting anything out. Will keep you posted on how things go. Thanks again.

[datadavid]

I wasnt aware that you could run the tympanium without a battery or capacitor of some kind

[kendall666]

I'm pretty sure you can if you stator can keep up with the voltage that is being drawn.

Also I think i figured out my problem. My lights were poorly grounded. I'm going to bring the ground wire from each headlight to the ground position on the tympanium, which would in theory(or in my head) complete the circuit. I'll keep you guys posted.

[drumbum]

I am running a similar set up with all LED's and had to add in a small pilot light so that the rectifier would send power to the lights. This is down to the LED's not drawing enough current. I am running the unit with the separate lighting delay circuit though this may be useful.

[TriNortchopz]

I wasnt aware that you could run the tympanium without a battery or capacitor of some kind

That is outlined in the BCS Tympanium instruction link above, in the heading; Battery Eliminator:
If the battery is removed or disconnected the unit regulates system voltage over the full range of engine rpm and electrical load...Vehicles with magneto ignition do not require a capacitor for battery-less operation.

http://www.britcycle.com/Manuals/TympaniumInst.pdf

[datadavid]

Cool

[DustyDave]

After several no battery bikes I have given up that I need a tiny battery. There' s nothing like killing the engine and having absolutely no light in traffic or on the side or the highway. I burn out way less light bulbs because the Capacitance of a battery smooths out the voltage ripples from regulator switching. The little bitty AGM batteries from emergency lights and confuser power supplies are easy to hide and very cheap or even four 123 batteries in series. And I certainly don't need the lights dimming or flickering even a little at idle calling legal attention to me.
Dusty

[kendall666]

Got it fixed. A couple shitty grounds and connections were the issue. Feels good to have lights haha thanks for everyone’s input