Regulator Rectifier question

[mralex714]

I just purchased an r/r off of ebay. The r/r I received has only 7 wires total but the bike 8 and connecting it without the brown wire blows the main fuse. What do I have to do to use the r/r?

[MiCarl]

I don't think the brown wire is your issue. If I recall correctly, my 89 has 7. 3 white, two red, two black. My connector melted so the wires are soldered, and there is an unused brown wire hanging there. I'll try and remember to double check when I get to the shop.

 

It's more likely that the wires in the R/R are in the wrong place in its connector. The three white wires go to the three wires from the stator, which are black on my bike. Then red-red, black-black for the other four.

[bongobobny]

This is sort of taxing my memory as to which one is which but there are two vesions of the R/R, one with 7 wires and one with 8. I'm thinking the 8 wire is the older version for MK1 and the newer 7 wire for MK2, but you have an '86 which is MK2 so it must be some of the MK2's used the 8 as well. Anyway, brown is the ignition line. I'm not sure why yours is blowing fuses unless the regulator itself is shorted. With the regulator unhooked, will the bike start and run without blowing fuses? if so your Fleabay R/R is defective...

[MiCarl]

I checked. Mine is not using the brown wire. The service manual shows the brown wire and the parts fiche does not indicate that the regulator/rectifier has been superseded by a new version.

 

I suspect the brown wire (when used) is for the regulator to sense the system voltage. Most regulators sense the voltage at the red and black wires, not using an extra lead. I suspect aftermarket Venture regulator/rectifiers (and perhaps OEM) don't use it.

 

I've never seen a shorted regulator/rectifier, although I suppose it's possible. I think it's much more likely the one you have has the leads assembled wrong or your motorcycle was previously re-wired to work with something else.

[dingy]

Attached is PDF that details how to check diodes in rectifier portion of R/R.

Gary

[MiCarl]

Needn't do the full diode check to find a short. The test procedure won' detect a shorted regulator circuit anyhow.

 

Black meter lead to black wire, red meter lead to red wire. Should read open. If not it's shorted.

 

The reds should be connected internally in the Regulator/Rectifier, as should the blacks. Check all combinations just to be sure.

[frankd]

The 1st Gen regulators have 3 whites, which go to the stator, 2 reds, which are connected in parallel and go to fuse link on the left of the battery, 2 blacks, which are in parallel and go to ground. It also has a brown wire which also goes to the fuse and is used for 'remote voltage sense'. There is no current in this wire, therefore no voltage drop and it's used to measure the voltage at the fuse more accurately. Some regulators don't use this and merely sense the voltage on the red wire(s). If you're not using the brown wire on the bike, make sure you tape up the old wire that's still on the bike because if it goes to ground you will blow the fuse.

 

You didn't say if you just plugged in your new regulator OR did you connect each wire to it's mate? If you used the plugs, inspect them and verify that it's wired the same as your original, with the exception of the brown wire not present. If you plugged it in and the wires are in their correct positions, it sounds like you have a shorted (bad) regulator.

[mralex714]

You didn't say if you just plugged in your new regulator OR did you connect each wire to it's mate? If you used the plugs, inspect them and verify that it's wired the same as your original, with the exception of the brown wire not present. If you plugged it in and the wires are in their correct positions, it sounds like you have a shorted (bad) regulator.

 

The regulator I bought already had connectors and plugged right in. I tried it on my parts bike an 89 that doesn't use the brown wire and had the same results. BTW the fuse blows as soon as the r/r is connected and you can hear it. I think the regulator is bad.

[dingy]

I have a spare unit with the brown wire.

 

It was in my bike at one point, I marked it as good & dated it when I took it out.

 

PM me.

 

Gary

[mralex714]

I have a spare unit with the brown wire.

 

It was in my bike at one point, I marked it as good & dated it when I took it out.

 

PM me.

 

Gary

My r/r is still good, I was just trying upgrade. Thanks though.

[reddevilmedic]

My r/r is still good, I was just trying upgrade. Thanks though.

 

i did the upgrade, but the stator and r/r should be replaced together. after several attempts, i ended up using a Ricks Hot Shot and Shindigen R/R (3 phase). so far so good.