Powerdynamo brings new ignition & light 
to your vintage motorcycle

       

There are conditions under which it might be desirable to drive without a motorcycle battery. Most Powerdynamo systems are well capable of running without battery. 
But there are certain facts to know and observe.
In Powerdynamo Systems (except battery powered ignitions with converter) lighting and ignition circuits are separate circuits. A magneto ignition does not need battery voltage (though if there is a switch off relay you have a bridge between the 2 and need a battery).
Side remark: It is therefore of no use to check the regulator when you get ignition problems, as very often people want to do.
  
for information on how to rewire a Powerdynamo system to work without battery see here
 
What has to be observed when driving without battery?

Sure, no battery means no lights if engine does not run. Our standard systems produce lighting voltage, even if there is no battery on board. There exist however also systems which do not produce lighting voltage. Those stator you recognise as they lack the wire on the lighting coils.
legal aspects Please consult your local regulations whether you are legally permitted to drive without battery. This might vary from country to country and possibly also depends on motorcycle age. Some guidelines for Germany are given here (in German).
parking light No battery = no lights whatsoever when the engine is at a standstill. This is something you should not ignore!
Note: A possibly installed condenser has no storage capacity and will not provide light for any amount of time.
possible technical problems
horn may not sound clear As a result of the pulsing current the horn may not sound clear. It will still be loud though. In rare cases the horn will not work at all (without condenser)
side indicators Not all flasher units will work properly without a battery. Most will go haywire. A strong capacitor will help to solve the problem. If our regulator 7300 is in the system than there is no need for a condenser.
electronic rev counter Electronic rev counters (tachometers) need normally a stable DC voltage. Without a battery they will not function correctly function. (Electronic rev counters on Powerdynamo systems are a matter of special consideration anyway).
relay option not possible Powerdynamo systems which replace dynamos have a relay for shut off. Without battery the relay will not function. You will have to facilitate the engine cut off by means of a kill switch that connects the blue wire of the ignition coil (or black box) to ground.  Bikes which had been equipped with magnetos will already have such a switch installed.
only 10 Volts on instrument? Many customers want to check the voltage coming out of the new regulator (understandably, as the old system tended to be to low). When the multimeter hooked up, you will notice that it will read only 10 volts or possibly less. Although the headlights are shining to their fullest capacity. What is happening is that the meter gets fooled by the absence of a battery (or a condenser) by the pulsing DC voltage. Both are actually ok, system and meter, but the reading is wrong. So don't worry. If you do not believe this, you may test it with or without a condenser installed or see our video.
charge control light can not work without battery stock dynamo systems normally had a charge control light that started to shine when the dynamo did not produce voltage to alert you.
Though our 12V standard regulator 95 22 699 06 supports this function, it will not work without battery.

When you drive without battery ynd have the control wire of this regulator connected, it might shine permanently, even if not fully bright and is therefore useless - disconnect it without a battery present.
possibly existing further control bulbs  such as e.g. for belt driven fan cooling might not work
blowing of light bulbs We have had customer reports that in uses without battery and without condenser, light bulbs tended to blow when light was switched on. Indeed, without any load (neither battery loading, nor light) idle voltage may climb to 17 volts and return to normal only after light is switched on. IF you drive without battery and have the condenser installed, make sure you have at least some light with 4W on permanently to prevent this surge.
Some of those technical problems (side indicators, horn, bulb blowing) may be resolved by 
  or using our alternative regulator with inbuilt smooting condenser  
>>> What else to know

back 		At idling speed the system will not have its full output. It might be that as a result (notably with 6 volts inner sensor systems) show a dimmer light at idling. That will rapidly brighten up however at higher revs.
Some older Powerdynamo Systems for 4 strokes (Type 899 with a single greeen wire at control box) need a battery for the advance unit.