Testing regulator/rectifier

Is there a way to test a reg/rec off the bike? Im EBaying a bunch of stuff (shameless plug) and I have one reg/rec that I never had on a running bike that I want to make sure is good before I sell it. The bike that I was running is down so I cant swap it to that one either.

digital meter that has a diode check select position is needed.

you need to check forward bias and reverse bias on all 6 diodes in the unit.

the reg/rct units vary a bit but not much.

there will be 12 total meter set checks to verify a good or bad unit.
it could get long winded here but after you do it once it is a breeze.

do you have a good meter?

trippivot wrote:

do you have a good meter?

Just a $20 Craftsman digital. I guess it will have to go untested. I have another one exactly like it that was being used and is known to be good though.

trippivot wrote:

digital meter that has a diode check select position is needed.

you need to check forward bias and reverse bias on all 6 diodes in the unit.

the reg/rct units vary a bit but not much.

there will be 12 total meter set checks to verify a good or bad unit.
it could get long winded here but after you do it once it is a breeze.

do you have a good meter?

Yeah, but are you really going to cut open the rectifier to test it?

The only true test is to put it under load and apply 3 phase AC to it. This means you need an elaborate test jig or you need to put it on a bike.

Thanks Lou, I was waiting for your advice also.

It will go on EBay with a 10 day warantee, and I will mark it so I know if someone tries saying their bad one is the one I sent

DanOz7Five0 wrote:

Thanks Lou, I was waiting for your advice also.

It will go on EBay with a 10 day warantee, and I will mark it so I know if someone tries saying their bad one is the one I sent

That sounds reasonable. It'll probably be someone here who buys it anyway. Make your mark so only you will recognize it so it can't be duplicated.

hey loud hvx you like to argue right?

Post edited for content by steell

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/08/13 19:47

trippivot wrote:

hey loud hvx you like to argue right?

Edited for content by steell

Heh, that's pretty funny.

It's obvious you can't test the individual diodes because you can't access the nodes at the diode junctions where they connect to the SCR's. The combo reg/rec contains more than just diodes. The 3 AC nodes can't be isolated from the diodes and SCR's without cutting them apart. The best you can do is a diode short test, but that means little until you put stress on the diode, such as heat, 100 volts, etc. The diode checks don't test the SCR's for anything except a solid short. I've worked with a lot of diodes, and they have different ways of failing gradually.

Sure, if the reg/rec, fails the short tests that means it's bad. But passing the tests doesn't mean it's good.

Dan wants to know if there is way to verify that it is good, in order to sell it to someone. If it's good, it's very difficult to be sure it's good. If it's shorted it's easy to be sure it's bad.

So yes, I should have mentioned to Dan that a short test could verify it's bad, but can't verify that it is good. Sorry Dan.

If you disagree with me on something, I'd be glad to explain further, but every time I point out when you're wrong, you stop responding to the thread. If I flipped you off everytime you were wrong, my finger would be too sore to type. (Just kidding, lighten up)

No hard feelings man, you have a lot of good info. No one is right all the time. People point out my errors too.

Nice photo, by the way! :woohoo:

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2006/08/13 17:46

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/08/14 07:32

this is why everyone gets confused about motorcycle electrics guys like you that feed BAD INFORMATION

but out where you do not belong

That is hilarious :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

For more info Click Here

And IIRC, Lou is an EE

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Personal attacks are not allowed and will not be tolerated.
I believe an edit is in order.

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