1989-2006 KDX E-start!

[Chuck78]

Wow... They build their own electronic power valve, electric start, counterbalanced big bore engine...
And using CR500-compatible base gasket as a blueprint, & I presume CR500 engine mounting architecture as well...
Quite impressive

[SS109]

Yeah, that engine is sweet but did you look at the price of that engine?

[billie_morini]

The engine is priced about where I'd have guessed and it's on par with a Rotax 500cc engine. But, for this Old Guy, either engine price is the amount that I pay for a used car!

[jakeslouw]

Would the KDX need the charging system? Surely the lighting coil would provide enough charging amps?

[Slick_Nick]

Would the KDX need the charging system? Surely the lighting coil would provide enough charging amps?

Not the stock coil, unless maybe you have an SR. By the time the AC power from the coil gets rectified into DC, there isn't much left to run a light much less charge a battery.

[billie_morini]

Concur with Slick Nick about output wimpiness. However, it's.possible to operate the starter with a total loss system (e.g., no on-board charging). Some of us have run total loss ignition systems (e.g., battery only, no on-board charging) in road racing. The KDX engines turnover easy and, this plus starter draw, will easily allow a long day's riding without charging.

[jakeslouw]

Not the stock coil, unless maybe you have an SR. By the time the AC power from the coil gets rectified into DC, there isn't much left to run a light much less charge a battery.

Got you. Although the old halogen bulbs were 55W, so going LED there should be enough left.

[SS109]

Not the stock coil, unless maybe you have an SR. By the time the AC power from the coil gets rectified into DC, there isn't much left to run a light much less charge a battery.

Got you. Although the old halogen bulbs were 55W, so going LED there should be enough left.

Stock KDX headlight bulbs were only rated 30 watts.

[pumpguy]

Not the stock coil, unless maybe you have an SR. By the time the AC power from the coil gets rectified into DC, there isn't much left to run a light much less charge a battery.

Got you. Although the old halogen bulbs were 55W, so going LED there should be enough left.

Stock KDX headlight bulbs were only rated 30 watts.

I'M surprised Slick Nick didn't mention his thread here on this site about rewinding the stock lighting coil for greater output. Also Ricky Stator offers a higher output lighting coil for the H series KDX. These double the output to around 80 watts.

Now weather this is enough to keep an E start battery topped up, IDK. I suspect no. Hopefully there's a multi-coil stator suitable to charge an e start battery available that can fit the KDX.

[SS109]

I'M surprised Slick Nick didn't mention his thread here on this site about rewinding the stock lighting coil for greater output. Also Ricky Stator offers a higher output lighting coil for the H series KDX. These double the output to around 80 watts.

Now weather this is enough to keep an E start battery topped up, IDK. I suspect no. Hopefully there's a multi-coil stator suitable to charge an e start battery available that can fit the KDX.

He did. It's even stickied in the "BEST OF THE BEST MODS" thread pinned at the top of this subforum.

[bufftester]

A rewound stator should have no issue keeping a small motorcycle battery topped off unless you are running a big baja light setup and a bunch of electronics. Most bike batteries only accept between .75 and 2 amp charge rates

[jakeslouw]

Most bike batteries only accept between .75 and 2 amp charge rates

That's what I thought: if I'm not running a headlight, the standard stator should be able to handle that easily.
The stator surely pumps out more than that, considering it needs to handle a 30W front light and a 5W taillight?

35W @ 12vdc = 2,9A

[SS109]

Most bike batteries only accept between .75 and 2 amp charge rates

35W @ 12vdc = 2,9A

Sorry but that is not correct. The stock KDX is AC voltage. That needs to be rectified to be able to charge a 12vdc battery. When rectified it will put out about 15W so roughly 1.25 amps. Still enough for a battery but don't add on anything else!

[Chuck78]

Most bike batteries only accept between .75 and 2 amp charge rates

35W @ 12vdc = 2,9A

Sorry but that is not correct. The stock KDX is AC voltage. That needs to be rectified to be able to charge a 12vdc battery. When rectified it will put out about 15W so roughly 1.25 amps. Still enough for a battery but don't add on anything else!

Very interesting to know. I had no idea that 35W AC being rectified to DC was not equivalent to 35W DC... I should have figured that though... Undoubtedly this changes my outlook and approach to DC LED lighting conversions for our bikes.

[jakeslouw]

Had a quick look at Dr Google who claims 12% to 36% reduction. However, the main bulb is 12VDC @ 30W and the tail light is 12VDC @ 5W : that implies a load of AT LEAST 35W AFTER RECTIFICATION.

[KDXGarage]

The stock rear bulb is actually 10 watts.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawas ... aillight-s

[jakeslouw]

The stock rear bulb is actually 10 watts.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawas ... aillight-s

Which just reinforces my calculation: that means a minimum of 40W post-rectification = 3.33A available for battery charging.

[bufftester]

If you're going to go the route of running a battery you really need to float the stators ground and get a quality rectifier/regulator. Even then with the stock stator you're going to be hurting for available juice if you add any lights. A rewound stator will give you lots more room, and the rewind is not difficult. You lose around 25%-40% converting AC W to DC W depending on the components you use.

[GOT WOODS?]

WELL, THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!
Start at the bottom:



Hi Dennis,

We are beginning to ship those kits out this month so I would estimate that new orders will be fulfilled around end of January.

Let me know if you have any questions, thanks!

Antoine Landry


<info@pantheramotorsports.com>
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2023 11:57
To: Panthera Motorsports <info@pantheramotorsports.com>
Subject: New submission from Contact Us

New inquiry on pantheramotorsports.com

Hi!
What is the current estimate on when the Kawasaki KDX220 electric start kits will be ready to ship?
Thanks,
Dennis

[SS109]

Thanks for the update!