Topic: Regulator / Rectifier build ?

[jbailey]

I got the colors wrong in the above post!  I mixed up the BMW harness colors with the VR colors.  This VR will work on a BMW also, and probably many other cars, trucks, tractors and bikes that use a switched field charging system.

The correct information is:

          Honda               VR               Purpose
          White               Green            DF  Supplies power to field.
          Black                 Red              D+  12V+ from ignition.
          Green               Brown           D-  Ground.

Sorry for the incorrect information the first time!

[mgilvary]

Sorry for the incorrect information the first time!

No sweat. VR hasn't arrived yet, so I haven't had a chance to screw it up. Thanks for the correction.

[Paul]

I notice various comments for both the rectifier and regulators. My initial problem was on the regulator issue. The rectifiers can be bought from most electronic stores / newark etc. I got mine for around 6 Euros and the heat sink for 4. certainly not worth the effort of building one....just crimp on 5 spades and job's done.

[the_genrl]

good to see more ees on the board.  good thinking Raul CB750K1, that's what i did.  just look for the cheapest regulator you can find at jc wittney.  i payed $8 each and bought a few.  i took off the case and its a very small little part with lots of surface mount stuff, so its smaller than i could ever make.

 i think it was for a 66-69 plymouth/dodge/chrysler?  kinda a few years ago.

note:  harley doesnt put some crazy dc generation machines on their bikes, and never did.  its just a 2 phase alt and a full wave rect. 

[jbailey]

Actually you have to be sure the voltage regulator sources the 12V to the field, the other end of which is grounded internally.  Chrysler uses a sinking voltage regulator which means the 12V is supplied to the alternator at all times and the voltage regulator provides the ground.  Since this is the opposite, it will not work on a Honda.

[MotoDave]

Check out this site:

http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/vregulators.html

This guys sells replacement electronic voltage regulators and high capacity rectifiers for CB750's (and other bikes.)

Great stuff!

[the_genrl]

right jbaily, but for 70 and later.  in the 60s, chrysler alts were synchro machines (stator and rotor windings) with a rotor (field) winding.  so with this setup, like 750s, the regulator actualy regulates the field current, which consequently regulates the output voltage.  the replacements for those regulators are all solid state now...and i think that was what i got.  actualy, i forget    i have them in a garage somewhere and ill have to dig them out.

those big box ones are i think what what you are thinking about.  they use the sloppy 2 terminal power transistor sink method.

[jbailey]

I didn't know anybody had an electronic VR in the '60s!  Anyway, whatever part you decide to use will basically work the same as long as you research it and make sure it is sourcing rather than sinking.

I any event it's nice to know that we can upgrade the electronics on our antique bikes rather inexpensively.

The unit from oregonmotorcycleparts.com looks like a nice package for those who don't want to experiment.  Looks like he went a step further and made a nice mounting bracket and color coded the wires to match the Honda's.

[mgilvary]

jbailey,

I received my JC Whitney special VR and installed it this afternoon. Appears to be putting out the proper voltage and keeping my battery juiced. Thanks a ton for that tip -- and for the wiring instructions

[Dennis]

Harry,
Should this go in the FAQ's?

[davidm]

Even though this conversation is so old, I thought I'd mention...
I built the rectifier as outlined on Frank Cooper's website and it works like a charm.
I'm happy to be riding my 76 550 again!

[SteveD CB500F]

Even though this conversation is so old, I thought I'd mention...
I built the rectifier as outlined on Frank Cooper's website and it works like a charm.
I'm happy to be riding my 76 550 again!

That's great David, you should PM him and let him know...

[Pinhead]

Check the link in my sig. I built one for my 650, but I'm not familiar with the 500/550s charging systems.

[dusterdude]

I didn't know anybody had an electronic VR in the '60s!....chrysler was the first in 1970.