GS Rectifier-Regulator Workaround…

[Anonymous]

Being a new I posted this in the wrong section a few days ago.

I have been visiting the site for a year or so, lots of great info here. I got tired of dead batteries and poor charging on my 82 GS1100GL. After root causing the problem (a very small current draw from the rectifier/regulator) I set out to find a fix, and did.

The stock regulator is not very robust and the aftermarket replacements seemed to be more venerable to damage than I wanted. I built a regulator that worked well but it was to large, ugly, and wouldn?t mount cleanly. I also have a 02 CBR954. After checking out the specs I found a replacement. The 954 rectifier/regulator it designed for two times the current, physically larger but has the same mounting holes, and is easy to install. I picked one up on Ebay for 25 dollars plus shipping, and that ended the project. If you are having charging/dead battery issues, this is one way out.

Regards

lg

[wizard]

Please be more specific. I have a dead GS850 right now. The problem is definitely the stator. What is the replacement?

[daveo]

Please be more specific. I have a dead GS850 right now. The problem is definitely the stator. What is the replacement?

The stator is a different part than the Regulator/rectifier

[Anonymous]

You probably need both.

You probably need both the stator and Regulator/Rectifier. You can put around with used GS parts, or mix and match stuff. Or you can just order new Electrex parts and get it done right and for good.

[Anonymous]

If the stator is still functioning properly, will the electrex regulator/rectifier solve the problem and prevent any future problems with the stator. It's my understanding that the root of the stator problem is the reg/rec and if that is dealt with and the stator has not yet been damaged, all will be OK. Is there truth to this?

[dpep]

f the stator is still functioning properly, will the electrex regulator/rectifier solve the problem and prevent any future problems with the stator. It's my understanding that the root of the stator problem is the reg/rec and if that is dealt with and the stator has not yet been damaged, all will be OK. Is there truth to this?

No. Having a different RR does not guarantee that you are not going to have problems with the stator. The stock stator wasn't all that strong, either; just not as bad as the RR. I had an Electrex RR and still managed to fry the stock stator in the Arizona desert on a trip I took last month. If you are not going to be traveling far or in extreme conditions you might be okay sticking with the stock stator. If you are going to stray far from home I would recommend replacing it. .

[Anonymous]

Regulator alternative from the guy that started the noise

Well, I guess I said the H word. Honda doesn?t make the regulator; they order it from an outside vendor to meet their needs. It?s a cheap heavy duty unit that mounts without modification. That is all. I?m sure there are others. Mostly, I am not degrading the aftermarket alternatives, they will do the job. I?m just frugal and like upgrading.

Stator:
The stator consists of three coils joined at a common point that is not used in this charging configuration (GS1100GL). The only damage that the stator might suffer is contact with the rotating magnetic rotor, a broken wire that is soldered to one of the three coils, or a breakdown of the insulation from overheating or an acidic environment.

Testing:
Using an external 12 volt source, start the engine and connect a voltmeter to any two of the three stator wires: you should measure ~60 to 70 VAC when engin is revved. If you pass this test move forward to the Rectifier/Regulator. See balanced Wye 3 phase link- www.patchn.com/wyedelta.htm for a deeper look into the stator physics.

Rectifier/Regulator:
A very simple device, consists of three high current diodes and a heavy duty transistor usually biased by a zener diode to maintain the set voltage. If the junction of one diode is damaged very little battery charging will occur, especially if your lighting system is on.

So, why would I recommend a 954 or non OEM Regulator?

Much higher current capacity and more apt to recover from a dead short than a unit rated for lower amperage.

Regulates voltage accurately enough to power two micro computers and their supporting EEPROM lookup tables.

It?s cheap.


It occurred to me from the onset that no one would be interested, but what the heck. It did spark some conversation.

I have wiring color codes if wanted.

Best to all??..Time to go for a ride.

Lw

[argonsagas]

There is certainly nothing wrong with the idea.

I have installed Honda R/R's on two GSes, and both are running well.

[Anonymous]

I knew I wasn?t the first or only...

Ron,

Glad to hear it. I don?t feel so all alone. I?m working on a fuel system swap for one of my GSs. Uses an ebay 02 954 complete throttle body, 50PSI fuel pump, and CPUs. Working on adapting the crank angel sensor and the cam pulse transducer. No more choke. I just love to piddle around.

Regards to all

Larry

[argonsagas]

Re: I knew I wasn?t the first or only...

Ron,

Glad to hear it. I don?t feel so all alone. I?m working on a fuel system swap for one of my GSs. Uses an ebay 02 954 complete throttle body, 50PSI fuel pump, and CPUs. Working on adapting the crank angel sensor and the cam pulse transducer. No more choke. I just love to piddle around.

Regards to all

Larry

EXCELLENT!

Please record each step. Once you achieve success, let us know.

I really like the idea, but there are far too many things demanding my time, so I won't even consider trying it blind.

[saaz]

A reg/rectifier does not have to be bike specific, just up to the job. I even admit to rewinding my own stator years ago....still going strong.

Fuel injection would be a great idea, especially if you could use a PC and the tuning link software to properly tune it on the dyno. Years ago there was a mechanical injection kit available for a few bikes. Electronic is the way to go. A twin butterfly GSX type system would be wonderful

[kkesler]

Can you hit us with the schematics for wiring up the Honda regulator?

Here is hoping that may straighten out my 81 GS450. One of the wires to the stator was burned in half. I spliced it but the battery is not staying charged. Went through the stator paper tests and, though some results were close, still no cigar.


Thanks,
Kurt Kesler

[KennyJ]

Yes, hit the wiring specs and digital pictures if you have them. My 85 550E ate the Electex RR in less than 18 months (but more than 12 so no warranty). I do not want to spend another $100 + to fix this for a short term.

Who cares who makes it, at heart it is still a Suzuki...even my Fords run Chevy Valves (Cheaper, bigger).

Kenny

[Anonymous]

Wiring color codes and info

I have had to work extra hours and weekends recently, so I haven?t been back as soon as I wanted.

Here is the wiring diagram for the cbr954 regulator. Not much to it. If you do the changeover you will notice the wiring is much heavier on the new regulator, this doesn?t pose an issue. There are three wires coming from the stator in the GS, they connect to the yellow wires on the regulator, the order doesn?t matter. There is one small black wire on the regulator that needs grounding. The two red wires go to the positive of the battery and the two green wires go to a solid ground. It is best to connect the three wires from the stator in the GS directly to the new rectifier/regulator and leave the short extension wires in the harness disconnected, it is a smaller gage wire and with the amperage they carry they tend to heat up, wasting some of the power by converting it into thermal energy. Safer too. I will keep my eye on the site to see if I can be of assistance.

Best to all,

Larry GS1100


Time for me to learn something, how do I attach a file? i.e. the schematic?