Topic: Has anyone bought or used this regulator/rectifier?

[Dos]

Last season I had some troubles with my bike staying charged. I am doing an overhaul of the electrical system and wanted to buy this regulator/ rectifier.

https://4into1.com/regulator-rectifier-lithium-lead-acid-honda-cb350f-cb400f-cb500-cb550-cb750/

I only saw one review with a 350f but I didn't know if anyone on here has used this model from 4into1 and if there is any special install instructions.

Thank you.

[Deltarider]

Last season I had some troubles with my bike staying charged. I am doing an overhaul of the electrical system and wanted to buy this regulator/ rectifier.

What is the cause? Usually it is an old/bad battery or too many short rides with too low rpms. Step one is to fully charge battery, leave it unused for 4-5 hours. Then measure voltage. When voltage over the terminals has dropped below 12,6V, battery is near its end. Replace.

[Dos]

yeah I am getting a new battery for sure.

[Deltarider]

Step 2 is measuring voltage over the terminals of a well charged battery at various rpms. P.62 of http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb350/service_manual/SM350400_2.pdf can help you. Please report your findings.

[beemerbum]

Last season I had some troubles with my bike staying charged. I am doing an overhaul of the electrical system and wanted to buy this regulator/ rectifier.

https://4into1.com/regulator-rectifier-lithium-lead-acid-honda-cb350f-cb400f-cb500-cb550-cb750/

I only saw one review with a 350f but I didn't know if anyone on here has used this model from 4into1 and if there is any special install instructions.

Thank you. I installed one on my 750K7. I fabricated a small bracket to mount it. It works very well.

[Maltboy]

I mounted mine under the battery box.  I used stove head bolts, but I had to cut a couple of holes in the battery cushion and grind the heads down flat so they wouldn't rub the battery.  I used union nuts as spacers so I could hook the engine case breather hose to the oil tank.

[Dos]

That’s pretty cool thank you

[Dos]

Am I able to zip tie it somewhere or does it need to be grounded?

[Maltboy]

I'm not 100% sure if the case needs to be grounded, but I do know the green wire is used to ground the circuit.

[jakec]

DO NOT BUY IT

I have used it and it was defective, leading to more than one time being stranded. cough up the money for the real deal: rick's @$110 on 4into1

also you can zip tie. no need to ground

[Maltboy]

Yeah, there are ones that look exactly like it selling on eBay for $15.  Pretty sketchy IMO.

[Deltarider]

What is it that so many of you turn to elec rec/regs, different types of batteries, etc? It always involves extra labor, like fitting extra adapters, drilling holes, new wiring, etc. The stock rectifier and regulator on mine still work like they did 45 years ago. Why would I replace it and solicit for uncertainty?

[jakec]

I was running the stock setup in my 350 which I ride often, and the regulator failed. so I lost a good battery as well. they do fail. no problem replacing it as a preventative measure if you want. just use a quality part. Rick's for the 4's and sparck moto for the twins.

[Deltarider]

... no problem replacing it as a preventative measure ...

The only problem is, that it will keep you busy... but maybe that's what some want.

[RAFster122s]

Sometimes you get what you pay for...

An on board voltmeter can help keep an eye on your battery voltage and warn you if things are not in good shape. Run the tests and adjustment procedures for the regulator to ensure it is in good tune(good nick), before you spend the money. The new part will not do anything a good stock unit won't do.
With knock off parts being quite prolific, you have to buy your electronics from places with good reputation and support. That said, most places do not warranty electrical parts and will not accept returns, even if you walk out and walk back in with it...
Just no way to ensure things are good with many electrical parts...

David

[Maltboy]

Aren't the solid state units supposed to be more efficient? With all the warnings about the limitations of the CB's charging system, won't a more efficient unit mean more available wattage?

[Deltarider]

Aren't the solid state units supposed to be more efficient? With all the warnings about the limitations of the CB's charging system, won't a more efficient unit mean more available wattage?

I have seen no data indicating the difference is significant. As far as 'the limitations of the CB's charging system' that 'problem' (as if Honda* was not capable to develop a sufficient charging system) is limited to this forum. Someone brings it as a problem and the echochamber of the forum does the rest.
* How was Honda to know that later on US legislators would demand all kinds of crazy stuff like a headlamp-always-on wiring and gadget lights. Also realise that part of the American way of life is to use a motor - preferably at low rpm's - to cover even the shortest distances where other civilisations choose to cycle or walk. 

[bryanj]

Solid state is neither more eficient nor gives extra charge it simply gives a "smoother" charging curve with infinitesteps instead of the original only having 3.

When designed by Honda the charging system was more than adequate giving overall a reasonable extra charge to keepbattery charged, changes to US (particularly) regulations plus aftermarket modifications by owners plus lack of maintainance reduced available extra output and causes problems

[Maltboy]

Thanks for the info. I didn't mean to be confrontational or anything.

[bryanj]

Didnt take that way, im an aged Brit, stuck in my ways who speaks his mind and damn the consequences

[PeWe]

This is what a forum is to be used for, discuss various rebuilds, upgrades and share experiences etc

Both my CB750 have stock charging system. An onboard voltmeter helped me to adjust regulator properly. It also showed why the battery must be fully charged to measure the correct max volt setting on regulator.
Max voltage will happen after a longer ride.
During city ride with braking, blinkers and 2000-3000 rpm, voltage will reduce especially with headlight on.

It can take 15-20 minutes on 4000-6000 rpm to get back to fully adjusted voltage.

If regulator is set too low, charging can suddenly go low now and then. Almost completely off.
Time to adjust stock regulator. Adjust the screw in steps of 1/4 turn clockwise to increase max voltage.

I have the parts to build the rectifier that a thread here had last summer.
Better charging at lower rpm. It is only the  connector I miss. I do not want to canabalize on my working rectifiers.
Then possible to have both, swap between and have a spare.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,183347.0.html 

I see no need of replacing more of the stock CB750 charging system.

Maybe other CB models have less power.

I just found this thread about charging adjustment.

https://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/regul_adjust_750.html

Same guy has a good description about get the points to work better

[Dos]

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it. I will hold onto the part and use it if anything happens, I got a new AGM battery so it seems that my last battery was dead and I fixed a short so let’s see what happens

[caluser2000]

DO NOT BUY IT

I have used it and it was defective, leading to more than one time being stranded. cough up the money for the real deal: rick's @$110 on 4into1

also you can zip tie. no need to ground

I fitted one to my '76 CB550F 15 months ago and it is working perfectly. A suitable bracket was easy enough to fabricate in 3/4s of an hour according to the sketch I made while watching  telly. fixed a 3mm piece of rubber behind the reg/rect for damping.