Started Install of Transpo Voltage Regulator, Then Found This...

[Pat Conlon]

Rich, do you have a theory on the cause of failures on our VRs?

[RichBaker]

Most likely cause is overheating.... I haven't had mine fail, yet, and haven't seen any that did fail, personally, but overheating is atypical failure mode. Without cutting one open, and looking inside with a good microscope, no way to be sure.

[Pat Conlon]

Well that would make sense for the reason I would test mine in my garage and it would be fine at ~14.4 volts only to get on the open road, with a thoroughly heat soaked engine, and have it jump up to 15.4 and higher, boiling the battery.
Bring the bike home. Fill up the battery. Test the output the next day and it's back at 14.4.
It's only when I put my multi tester in my tank bag did I figure it out....the symptoms were there (boiled battery) I just could not pin it down.

[FJ1100mjk]

As an electronics Tech, for the past 30 years, I can state unequivocally that BOTH components get hot.... 

For the record...

Rode the bike for hours today.

Pulled in the drive, popped the seat, shoved my hand up under the rear cowl to feel the VR, and at the ready to jerk my hand back. Surprise! Not even warm. Connectors, nor the VR's terminals either.

Ambient temp: 85F

Marty

[movenon]

Well that would make sense for the reason I would test mine in my garage and it would be fine at ~14.4 volts only to get on the open road, with a thoroughly heat soaked engine, and have it jump up to 15.4 and higher, boiling the battery.
Bring the bike home. Fill up the battery. Test the output the next day and it's back at 14.4.
It's only when I put my multi tester in my tank bag did I figure it out....the symptoms were there (boiled battery) I just could not pin it down.

Nice to mount an small digital voltmeter in the bike. http://www.ebay.com/itm/K1BO-Waterproof-DC-2-5-30V-Red-LED-Panel-Meter-DC-Digital-Voltmeter-Two-wire-/261280415232. Hey for 3 bucks....
George

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, I agree George. I think I have solved the overcharging problem with the Transpo, but....a voltage gauge would be handy in case the charging system failed.
A quick look and it would tell me it's time to pull the headlight fuse.

[fmy2gh]

Good day to all of you. Sorry for reviving this old discussion  .
My fzr1000 has the same alternator as the fj. I've installed the transpo ib301a because the original voltage reg charging rate is at 15+ volts. The wiring and connectors have been checked. Not melted.
I'm stumped because with the transpo, now it's not charging at all. Do I have to ground the vr body to the frame so the it will charge?

I really appreciate any advise on this.

[simi_ed]

Yes, grounding the body/frame is REQUIRED!

[fmy2gh]

Thank you so much. I'll ground the vr body to the bike frame and recheck.

[fmy2gh]

Tried grounding the voltage regulator body to the bike but  it's still not charging. Tried the old vr and it's charging at 15v. Well.. I think the transpo is faulty.

[fjbiker84]

After reading through all this I started worrying even though I've never had a charging problem in the ten years I've owned my 84.  At 3000 rpm it showed 14.5 to 14.6 and at 4000 it showed almost 14.9.  I then checked the old Clymer service manual I got with the bike when I bought it from the original owner.  It says to check at 3000rpm and anything between 14.3 and 15.3 is OK.

[Pat Conlon]

After reading through all this I started worrying even though I've never had a charging problem in the ten years I've owned my 84.  At 3000 rpm it showed 14.5 to 14.6 and at 4000 it showed almost 14.9.  I then checked the old Clymer service manual I got with the bike when I bought it from the original owner.  It says to check at 3000rpm and anything between 14.3 and 15.3 is OK.

That's the issue. What was good then, is not so good now. Kinda like brakes and tires.
In the old days our batteries were lead acid. They can (kinda) tolerate 15+ volts (if you keep adding water)

15.3 volts will absolutely smoke an AGM. (Don't ask $$)  Forget about a Lithium.

[fjbiker84]

That's good to know.  Was considering a lithium battery.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Earl Svorks]

When it comes to connectors and connections, I think that much of their success in usage is using the correct one and size for the job, the quality of the connector itself, proper preparation for its install, and of course, proper/correct installation of the connector with proper/correct quality tools.

Marty

There are no truer words spoken; the proper quality and correct product installed correct will always win over cheap & improper applications.

Randy - RPM

He said,,,, "I just put this new rectifier in but my battery is still going flat"
  Simon

[Miker]

Hey All,

I'm new to this site.  I have a '85 FJ1100 that just started giving me electrical problems.  I came across this mod thread after reading through all the great info on this site.  Thanks very much to all.

One question does pop into my head after reading this and "Install of Aftermarket Rectifier in Remote Location" http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10493.0. My thought is: why not just install a single unit aftermarket regulator/rectifier as seen on newer bikes?  Is that not possible?  I attached a pic of the type of unit I am referring to.  Sorry if this was covered elsewhere and I missed it.

Thanks again,
Mike