Fried Rectifier

[tmason18]

Hi Guys

I have a 82 GS450GA Automatic. It died yesterday. I pulled the battery and it was almost dry. 2nd time I forgot to keep it filled. The rectifier is melted so I'm hoping that the battery caused this and it is not an underlying problem. Checked the generator and it appears to be good. I'm a newbie so please go easy on me.

[rustybronco]

A (D)VOM and this are all you need > http://thegsresources.com/garage/gs_statorfault.htm

Welcome to the GSR!

Easy enough?

P.S. I prefer mine over rye toast

[spyug]

Welcome aboard. I don't think we've heard much about the automatic, you will have to tell us more.

I think you have had an issue with the R/R which was putting out too much voltage and boiling off the battery fluid. Contact our friend Duaneage for one of his super duty Honda units and refill your battery with some fresh acid mix. Better yet change the battery to a sealed unit.

Once you have it sorted, I'd suggest you add a voltage meter to keep an eye on things as you ride along. Lots of them available from Fleabay or from on-line retailers or you should be able to pick up something at your local autostore or Harbour Freight or the like.

When you have time, tell us more about the bike and how it works for you. Pics too would be appreciated.

Cheers,
spyug

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. tmason18,

You'll want to start with a good, fully charged battery and go through the Stator Papers. There is an addendum to the troubleshooting chart. You'll find it in the electrical section of my website (Thank you Mr. posplayr). You'll also find a wiring diagram for the 450GA on my website. It may not be your exact year model but should be close enough for most purposes. These bikes didn't change that much. You'll find TONS of information and links in your "mega-welcome" below. Let me share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[OldVet66]

If the battery is not damaged too badly, just filling it with distilled water will bring it back.

[tmason18]

Thank You for all your help. I am in search of a new rectifier now that this is toast, I don't understand how it burnt up because I had a 30amp fuse between the rectifier and the battery. On the next round should I reduce the fuse???

[chuck hahn]

I havent seen any cycles with a fuse larger than 15 amps...that may not have been the whole problem but may have been a contributor.

[tas850g]

I believe met people only put n a 15 am fuse as this is the highest amp fuse in the fuse box. Well, that is the highest recommended fuse I should use in my 79 850 anyway. Using anything higher rated is not rcommended.

[cowboyup3371]

PM Duaneage about getting a new one...he's pretty inexpensive and has great working parts.

[bmac]

R/r

Welcome to the site. I would first add distilled water to the battery and slow charge it. Then have it load tested to see if it is good. I have replaced the r/r on my 450A's and even the one I have purchased from Duane was larger then the one I replaced it still performed well. I installed a 30 amp fuse in line being that there is only 1 fuse for that model. I also rewired direct from the stator to the reg. Installed wires for the ground, battery to frame and engine also to the reg. Cleaning and replacing with new connectors and using dielectric grease to ensure good performance. A good battery and a r/r rewired into the electronics portion of the system sounds like a suitable repair providing the stator is not damaged. Stator papers are a good read for diagnostic repairs. It is essential to have the components in and wired correctly to diagnosis whether the stator has adequate output. Bob

[Nessism]

Using a 30 A fuse is like using no fuse at all. I doubt the GS charging system can push more than 15 A so that's the right sized fuse to use. Regardless of the fuse size though, if the R/R fries the voltage from the stator will be unchecked and your battery will get overcharged - thus driving all the fluid out. Not good. Most of the time this severely damages the battery so even if your battery still seems to work, keep this in mind before you take trips far from home.

[tom203]

Hi Guys

I have a 82 GS450GA Automatic. It died yesterday. I pulled the battery and it was almost dry. 2nd time I forgot to keep it filled. The rectifier is melted so I'm hoping that the battery caused this and it is not an underlying problem. Checked the generator and it appears to be good. I'm a newbie so please go easy on me.

Do we get pic of fried R/R?

[850 Combat]

Harbor Freight has a suitable meter for under 10 dollars most of the time, and under 3 dollars when it is on sale.

The Honda regulator from Duaneage is a good upgrade, and cheaper than a new one for the Suzuki.