KZ1000 Ricks rec/reg

I bought a new universal rec/reg from ricks, i was wondering if anyone has put one on their bike and could tell me how the wired it so i dont have to decipher the wiring diagrams and try to figure it out myself. wiring is not my best attribute. the bike is a 77 KZ1000. thanks for any help.

Try this wiring description:


A. One (1)WHITE with RED stripe, this is the bikes main power wire usually 12 gauge in size.

B. One(1) smaller Brown wire, probably 18 gauge or so, the voltage sense wire for the regulator/rectifier, helps keeping it from overcharging the battery.

C. One(1) BLACK with YELLOW stripe wire, part of the ground circuits, maybe 16 gauge in size.

D. Three(3) YELLOW wires, maybe 14 gauge in size, the alternator output wires going to the regulator/rectifier which converts the Alternating Current(A.C.) to Direct Current(D.C.) using rectification, producing the power to run the motorcycle and charge the battery.

Your alternator output wires may be some color than yellow,and some bikes are phase sensitive, so be careful.

Pretty sure the description given is correct for a 77 Kz1000. Should be the same as the 76 Kz900 which is as described. Also should be a ground that connects behind the kick starter unless the unit is case-grounded somehow.

See the description given on this unit from Z1 Enterprises:

www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1873

i am starting from scratch on the wiring harness, begining with the charging system, my bike does not have the 3 yellow wires, it has 3 different colored wires, these are the ones im wondering about most. im glad you guys brought it up, how will i know if they phase sensitive, my rec/reg actually only has a couple wires to power and couple to ground and 3 field wires, im not sure this thing is even gonna work if those wires from my stator are indeed phase sensitive. thanks for you help guys.

I'd contact Rick's and tell them what you've got as it might not be compatable.

Try here too, as they say they build a rectifier/regulator that has a lifetime warrenty:
www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com

"does not have the 3 yellow wires, it has 3 different colored wires,"... Such as this....

Are those colors what you found on you 900, Dave? I'll have to look closer, I was only aware of the three yellow wires coming off my rectifier.

It would be the regulator that would be phase sensitive, wouldn't it? My understanding of rectifiers - I can't see how that would matter as it's job is to smooth out the 3-phase A/C into a fairly constant DC signal. :huh:

Edit - Sorry, forgot this was a combo unit.

My 900 matched this in conductor colors...

Rectifiers convert Vac to unregulated Vdc (rippled non filtered DC)...

One of these days, I should bring my oscilloscope home and capture some actual KZ rectification/regulation images for you guys....

NOTE: The bottom right image is of a full wave bridge rectifier (2 diodes per phase)...

Think of it this way, as in the bottom left image, we have 3 phases and during each positive phase, a set of diodes performs the Vac to Vdc conversions. All conversions together equate to ~ 12-15Vdc where during any cycle, you only have ~ 4-7Vdc pending rotor rpm...

Vac x 1.41 = Vdc

Example, a couple months ago I posted where after stopping at the bike shop, I had to kick start to get home... Out with the DVM, only had ~ 8-10Vdc... New I lost a diode set... Sure enough, 2 diodes where open in continuity/diode measurements...

Ah - that ones clears it up - just like mine.

So when MFolks is talking about phase sensitive, what is he trying to say? If you connect the wrong phase to the regulator in the wrong place it won't work properly/will fry/etc?

If anyone else was curious like me, this helped me understand how a rectifier works...

www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/4.html

You'll have to ask him for I don't known enough of the "other units" he's speaking of...

As for "wrong phase to the regulator in the wrong place", kind of hard to do for the units are normally encased where you only have access to the conductor feeds...

NOTE I said normally where my KZ1000, the diodes accessible... They are attached to metal plates (grounded & heat sink) are soldered with moisture protection coating...

Via LoudVHX....

For ya cheap bastards... :laugh:
Insure FWB are mounted with heat sink compound to 1/8 - 1/4" grounded plate that is mounted/welded to frame...

Thanks!