77 650 rectifier

my rectifier gets pretty hot after a short time, is this normal? It seems like its charging ok but the bike has other issues so its hard to tell. Thanks

I'm not sure, but I tend to think that they give the thing big cooling fins for a reason. The job of a voltage regulator is basically to waste all of the juice that isn't being drawn by the normal accessories. I wouldn't be surprised if they get warm after you've been riding for a bit, since at cruising engine RPMs the alternator is probably kicking out a good bit of "extra" electricity.

I'll try to remember to check mine after a ride tomorrow. We should get some decent weather, so I'm looking forward to it!

GargantuChet wrote:

I'm not sure, but I tend to think that they give the thing big cooling fins for a reason. The job of a voltage regulator is basically to waste all of the juice that isn't being drawn by the normal accessories. I wouldn't be surprised if they get warm after you've been riding for a bit, since at cruising engine RPMs the alternator is probably kicking out a good bit of "extra" electricity.

I'll try to remember to check mine after a ride tomorrow. We should get some decent weather, so I'm looking forward to it!

The 77 650 uses a different design. It's not the type that wastes the excess. It uses a seperate rectifier and regulator. Any rectifier will get hot when it handles a lot of current.

Grrr... Thanks for catching my mistake. And I was looking forward to having a good excuse for an afternoon ride. I'll just have to blame the weather and ride anyways!

On the topic, any one know (year & model) when Kawasaki changed to a Regulator/Rectifier unit?
RegardZ.

I believe it was the 78 model year. My 78 KZ650C2 has the all in one reg/rect unit. Wayne

I will second Towers answer. My 77 had the seperate reg/rec but these 78s I picked up had the combo

thanks all, I was just wondering, even the wires are a little bit warm.