How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

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How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by Active Rascal » 20 Nov 2012, 12:26

A while ago the PV side of my ECU was faulty, so I bought a new ECU and rectifier regulator. I did test the old rectifier, and all the values seemed fine according to posts on here, so I kept it as a spare.

No my new rectifier on the CR/CRM I managed to smash the majority of the cooling fins off when doing jumps - mounted too close to rear shock!! :( I did compress the suspension when checking clearances etc, and it seemed fine. However when doing jumps it fouled, and I did a bit of moto-x the other week, and as I say it smashed most of the cooling fins off.

Obviously I need to find a new place to mount my regulator, constraints being it needs to have long enough wires for wherever it goes, and be in a place where it will keep cool. I mounted it in exactly the same place as is on a standard CRM, however this is obviously no good for doing jumps etc.

Anyway, I wish to use the old regulator as he body is intact, but how can I be sure that it won't harm my ECU? I put the ECU damage down to the PV cables being in terrible condition when I bougth the bike, probably overloading the current.

Cheers.

Shaun.

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by fishtail » 20 Nov 2012, 14:45

i would say you can lengthen the cables with out too much issue - I did a fair bit of wiring audio stuff including power supplies in the past.-
as long as you use similar weight wire - not stuff u used to connect your hifi speakers - but extending by about 50 cm wouldn't have a massive effect.. would need to be meters in length before it would really affect..

I totally melted my old Reg/rec's connector block - wires in the loom and one of those cheap plastic connectors you clamp down wires with screws was turned to a marshmellow ... .. and in the end it still seems like it still works ok... ( ie I now have a spare reg/rec as well :roll: )

sounds like yours should be ok since it never failed before?
1996 CRM 250 "Mk 3" FMF pipe .... - the other 'un is a 98 hornet 600 - Sai Kung Hong Kong

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by Active Rascal » 20 Nov 2012, 14:50

No, it did not fail. However my ECU did and I wonder if this was caused by/has resulted ina. Dodgy rec/reg. The last thing I want to do is break another ECU... Especially as the current one is Mugen. I'D rather no chop into wires to lengthen if I can help it as it can open up more areas for poor reliability.

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by fishtail » 20 Nov 2012, 15:27

sure understand that caution regarding the ECU! ( might put my new reg/rec on for the hell of it now,,, keep old one as spare? )

regarding the lengthening of the wires.. forced to have a look at what lurks inside the loom its self last week - Mr Honda thinks a good quality insulating tape is adequate on some pretty important connections... ( ie reg/rec output links to ignition and condenser just before the wires to the PV pop out the loom,,, I should have took photo's cos there's a fair amount of blue PVC tape under there courtesy of Honda.

for me when reconnecting my loom - I twisted the wires together then soldered them,, I used some heat shrink to insulate each join afterwards - then wrapped the 3 individually insulated wires with a bit of gaffa tape...

maybe your suspension needs a look at? if u squashing the bottom of the airbox?
1996 CRM 250 "Mk 3" FMF pipe .... - the other 'un is a 98 hornet 600 - Sai Kung Hong Kong

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by Active Rascal » 20 Nov 2012, 15:40

Suspension is fine and doesnt touch air box. On the original bike the rec/reg was mounted up near the headstock. Ive used that bracket for the horn and capacitor which works well. I'll have a look and re-think. Nqin thing is it needs mounting where good cool air flow will reach it.

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by fallenmikethebike » 20 Nov 2012, 17:06

How about inside the air box? there's always a flow of air through there.
Give the cooling fins a good clean up, and coat with some ACF fluid.
Mike
VFORCE REEDS-MUGEN HEAD AND BARREL-WHITE POWER-ALL ON MY WISH LIST!!

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by Active Rascal » 22 Nov 2012, 12:53

Anyone know if it's safe to use my old one and will not harm my ecu?

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by knackeredMk1 » 22 Nov 2012, 13:00

Don't know but the cooling fins were put on there for a reason and if you are putting the reg/rec somewhere where it will get less air flow there must be some risk involved :? .

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by Active Rascal » 22 Nov 2012, 15:01

Yes I know and agreed with the above, question is whether I can safely use my old rectifier which I replaced when I replaced the faulty ECU. I tested it, and all seems OK.

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by knackeredMk1 » 22 Nov 2012, 15:46

Only you can make that assesment...........

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Re: How safe is my rectifier/regulator?

Post by fishtail » 22 Nov 2012, 16:06

the fins jus transfer heat.. so i would think if u can use a liquid metal to glue some fins back on it should help.. if u mounted it on a metal plate that also conducted heat away and got some fins on that it would also help... its just about getting heat away from the diodes....

if u can run without lights etc? then the electrical load will be lower so wont require to work so hard so wont get so hot..

but I can tell u this much... my regulator got VERY hot.. and melted 2 plastic connectors and ran with melted wires for quite some time ...... and its still working! but it does have fins.....

but like knackered said its your call !
1996 CRM 250 "Mk 3" FMF pipe .... - the other 'un is a 98 hornet 600 - Sai Kung Hong Kong


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