If it's a lighting coil then it's AC voltage and it varies with RPM. Memory is a bit fuzzy but it's something like 8 volts at 2k rpm and goes up to 12 volts at 3500rpm (or where ever the governor keeps it). If the governor is removed it can keep going up from there unless you have some sorta regulator. Again this is AC voltage and everything hooked up to it should be suitable for that.
For a light I would go with a 12 volt and keep a spare bulb handy.
For a light I would go with a 12 volt and keep a spare bulb handy.
Bryce, several options were available for the H50. I'll assume you do not have the smaller H and HS 18 Watt alternator- which is what the majority of us have on our small frame lighted engines. For that, I use six volt incandescent bulbs, because 12 volt bulbs are too dim. (This is what I have used on two different bikes) I would try a 12 volt bulb on the 3 Amp system below, but it might be too dim unless you're at full throttle. For the remaining options, I'd run 12 volt lamps.
Tecumseh 3-11 HP Technicians Manual page 48 refers:
3 Amp A.C. Lighting Alternator
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts A.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 9.5 Volts A.C.
3300 R.P.M. - 10.5 Volts A.C.
3600 R.P.M. - 11.5 Volts A.C.
3 Amp DC Alternator System - Diode in Harness Sleeve
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts D.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 9.5 Volts D.C.
3300 R.P.M. -10.5 Volts D.C.
3600 R.P.M. -11.5 Volts D.C.
3 Amp D.C. 5 Amp A.C. Alternator
3 Amp D.C.
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts D.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 11.0 Volts D.C.
3600 R.P.M. - 13.0 Volts D.C.
5 Amp A.C.
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts A.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 11.0 Volts A.C.
3600 R.P.M. - 13.0 Volts A.C.
Tecumseh 3-11 HP Technicians Manual page 48 refers:
3 Amp A.C. Lighting Alternator
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts A.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 9.5 Volts A.C.
3300 R.P.M. - 10.5 Volts A.C.
3600 R.P.M. - 11.5 Volts A.C.
3 Amp DC Alternator System - Diode in Harness Sleeve
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts D.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 9.5 Volts D.C.
3300 R.P.M. -10.5 Volts D.C.
3600 R.P.M. -11.5 Volts D.C.
3 Amp D.C. 5 Amp A.C. Alternator
3 Amp D.C.
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts D.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 11.0 Volts D.C.
3600 R.P.M. - 13.0 Volts D.C.
5 Amp A.C.
2500 R.P.M. - 8.0 Volts A.C.
3000 R.P.M. - 11.0 Volts A.C.
3600 R.P.M. - 13.0 Volts A.C.
remember when buying a bulb, these engines are originally made for snow blowers and do not put out a lot of "juice".
I have found the the "Phillips" 12v landscape bulbs (4 1/2") you can pickup at HomeDepot or Lowes are 11w and light up nicely. Only issue is they are single filament, not Hi/Lo.
The old Rupp bulb was a 4 1/2" Hi/Lo 15w/15w bulb which is reportly no longer made.
My Speedway Green Horn has a 5 1/2" bulb and has "4420" on it. I believe it's a 20W/20W as far as I can find.
Interesting option..... My Harley Sportster has a 5 1/2" headlight that uses a H4 bulb. And, I know you can get a 18w/18w H4 bulb to insert into the reflector unit......
I have found the the "Phillips" 12v landscape bulbs (4 1/2") you can pickup at HomeDepot or Lowes are 11w and light up nicely. Only issue is they are single filament, not Hi/Lo.
The old Rupp bulb was a 4 1/2" Hi/Lo 15w/15w bulb which is reportly no longer made.
My Speedway Green Horn has a 5 1/2" bulb and has "4420" on it. I believe it's a 20W/20W as far as I can find.
Interesting option..... My Harley Sportster has a 5 1/2" headlight that uses a H4 bulb. And, I know you can get a 18w/18w H4 bulb to insert into the reflector unit......
For a while OldMiniBikes had a 12 volt headlight with a bulb that could be replaced with a ebay LED bulb. also the taillight bulbs can also be replaced with LED's, they do not draw much current and provide a whole lot of light. On my HS50 lighting coil I had two AC outputs I just ran each one thru a diode just like the Tecumseh old diode board and ran a 2000MFD cap to ground to smooth the DC. I have been doing this now on all my lighted motors. On the clones I used a full wave radio shack bridge for the DC.
