Commercial Rectifier

  • bangshift440rt
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06 Jun 2011 22:40 - 06 Jun 2011 22:48 #455853 by bangshift440rt
Commercial Rectifier was created by bangshift440rt
My bike is 1976 KZ900:
I searched rectifier and didn't see what I was looking for so I'll just ask. Is there any reason I can't purchase a commercial rectifier such as this

Rectifier
in place of the $200 madness called OEM? A rectifier is nothing more than diodes (one way gates) converting the three phase AC from the stator to dc correct? I could then hook this commercial rectifier up to my regulator as if it were OEM, or use a commercial 12v regulator I would imagine. Has anybody done this? My rectifier looks like a previous owner had replaced all insulation on the wires with electrical tape after a fire (and this bike still ran when torn down!). What is the voltage and amperage coming from the Stator on a 1976 KZ900?
Last edit: 06 Jun 2011 22:48 by bangshift440rt.

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06 Jun 2011 23:05 #455857 by MFolks
Replied by MFolks on topic Commercial Rectifier
Here's a listing of some suppliers:

Stators, Regulators & Rectifiers
www.rmstator.com
www.electrosport.com
www.customrewind.com
www.regulatorrectifier.com
www.ricksmotorsportselectrics.com
www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com (not sure they have stators)
www.accel-motorcycle.com/
www.tpe-usa.com/ (Tim Parrott Enterprises)


On the earlier bikes like your's, the alternator output was about 50 volts A.C. at 4000 rpm with the engine at operating temperature. I believe the output was less than 20 watts.



Alternator Testing For the Older 4’s(Z1’s,Kz 900’s, Kz1000’s,Kz1100’s and GPz1100’s).

To check to see if the alternator is working you need to follow these simple steps:

1. Fully charge the battery as this will be the power source during this test.

2. Disconnect the Regulator/Rectifier at the plug that has the six wires in it.

3. Start the engine and let it warm to operating temperature.

4. If you're worried about overheating, position a large fan for cooling the engine.

5. After the engine has reached operating temperature, have a helper assist you, and using a multi-meter, read the output at the three yellow wires (or the alternator output wires)at the disconnected connector.

6. Raise the engine speed to 4000 rpm, and see what the three YELLOW wire combinations(or any alternator output wires) are(1-3, 2-3 & 1-2). The output will be around 50 Volts A.C.(Alternating Current). BE CAREFUL, AS THERE IS A SHOCK HAZARD HERE!!



7. If any of the combinations are low or non-existent, the stator(wire windings) are bad and must be replaced.
Some of the older Z1’s and KZ900’s were reported to be phase sensitive, so check the wire colors carefully.

8. Using an OHMETER, Check the three wire combinations again, looking for a reading of 0.36 - 0.54 OHMS. If the readings are above or below, the stator may be bad and need replacement. Also check from any of the three YELLOW wires to ground, this will show if arcing took place.

9. Before ordering a new stator, check the connections from the stator as there are electrical "Bullet" connectors that may be damaged or dirty.
Inspect the wiring for signs of shorting or overheating too. www.z1enterprises.com sells replacement rubber grommets for the alternator output wiring, they get hard and could leak oil after a while.

10. Check the wiring coming out of the grommet as there have been situations where the wires were damaged causing a short(I.E. twisted together with insulation damage).

11. The sprocket cover will have to be removed to access the electrical connectors coming from the alternator, the left foot peg assembly and shifting lever will have to come off also.



Alternator Stator Replacement On the Older 4’s
Source for replacement Stators

A. www.electrosport.com (They have a trouble shooting page)
B. www.customrewind.com
C. www.rmstator.com
D. www.ricksmotorsportselectrics.com
E. www.regulatorrectifier.com

1. If by testing either by checking the output voltage from the stator or by using and ohmmeter for resistance and the stator is determined to be bad, replacing the stator is not a difficult job.

2. The motorcycle owner should have on hand a replacement alternator gasket as it will tear on removal and leak if reused.

3. Put the bike on the center stand if possible and lean it to the right to minimize the oil volume that could come out when the alternator cover is removed.

4. Have selection of Metric wrenches and sockets along with Metric Allen keys to be able to accomplish this repair. ¼" and 3/8" ratchets and extensions may be needed along with Allen bits.

5. Remove the gear shift lever, the sprocket cover and possibly the left foot peg assembly.

6. A catch pan for what little oil will be lost should be positioned under the alternator on the left side. Newspapers will soak up any oil lost or some kitty litter will do as an absorbent.

7. Remove the alternator cover fasteners, some bikes use a socket head cap screw(Allen type) and others use the Phillips head type, the #3 screwdriver bit fits best for those. Use a small dish or can to collect the removed fasteners from the parts to prevent loss/damage.

8. The alternator stator is secured to the inside of the cover usually with three Allen headed bolts, Some bikes may have Torx style fasteners, Remove them and disconnect the three yellow wires that have bullet connectors on them from the bundled wires inside the sprocket cover.

9. If your bike has some color other than yellow for the alternator output wires, make note of what goes where as the older Kawasaki’s were phase sensitive in regard to the regulator/rectifiers.

10. When installing the replacement stator, clock or position the output wires and grommet so they fit into the small port under the alternator cover without being pinched or damaged.

11. Tighten the three Allen or Torx fasteners, securing the replacement stator to the cover. I like using the BLUE Loctite # 242 for hardware that can be removed with hand tools.

12. Remove the old gasket from the mating surfaces of the alternator cover and engine case by scraping with a piece of sharpened plastic like Lexan or Plexi-glass as these will not gouge the soft Aluminum Cases. Avoid using a metal gasket scraper for this.

13. Position the alternator cover, checking for pinched wiring and install the fasteners with a little silver anti-seize on the threads, tightening to the correct torque.

14. Connect up the output wires to the mating female bullet connectors and while you’re in there, check the routing of the wire bundle that runs through there.

15. Inspect for signs of heat damage to the wire insulation and vibration damage too.

16. The side stand switch, neutral switch, and oil pressure switch wiring are all bundled with the alternator output wiring running above and behind the engine output sprocket. This bundle runs in a channel as it goes up toward the various electrical connections.

17. The regulator/rectifier plug on the 80’s bikes usually has six wires in it:

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.

18. Reinstall the sprocket cover, again checking for pinched wires before tightening. Install the shifter on it’s splined shaft checking for proper location, and the left side foot peg assembly.

19. Except for the minor oil spill and reluctant fasteners, it’s not a very difficult job to do.

1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

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07 Jun 2011 14:46 #455932 by retterath

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07 Jun 2011 15:04 #455938 by loudhvx
Replied by loudhvx on topic Commercial Rectifier

bangshift440rt wrote: My bike is 1976 KZ900:
I searched rectifier and didn't see what I was looking for so I'll just ask. Is there any reason I can't purchase a commercial rectifier such as this

Rectifier
in place of the $200 madness called OEM? A rectifier is nothing more than diodes (one way gates) converting the three phase AC from the stator to dc correct? I could then hook this commercial rectifier up to my regulator as if it were OEM, or use a commercial 12v regulator I would imagine. Has anybody done this? My rectifier looks like a previous owner had replaced all insulation on the wires with electrical tape after a fire (and this bike still ran when torn down!). What is the voltage and amperage coming from the Stator on a 1976 KZ900?


Yes, you can do that as long as you can isolate the output wires. If the ground of that unit is the body, then you should connect a wire to the mounting bolts to get a more reliable ground. If the body is positive, then you will have to be sure to isolate the rectifier body from ground.

The output voltage will vary on the alternator, but when it is regulated to 12~14v, the alternator will put out in the range of 20 amps or less, so that rectifier should be strong enough to handle it.

However there is one issue with using super-heavy duty rectifiers. They use up a lot of power. They will tend to have a larger forward voltage drop on the voltage. This forward voltage drop, along with the current, results in a large amount of power being converted to heat. (That's why the big heatsink, obviously). If your bike has plenty of alternator power, then it's not a problem.

This one may be more appropriately suited to the KZ: cgi.ebay.com/New-3-Phase-Diode-Bridge-Re...&hash=item2eb5a8bac8
This one has been used by at least one KZ owner and they reported it works well. It's body is isolated electrically. But it may need to be mounted to some aluminum bracket to act as a heat sink.

You can use the oem regulator with this rectifier, but most newer regulators for your type of alternator will be part of a one-piece regulator and rectifier.

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07 Jun 2011 15:08 #455940 by loudhvx
Replied by loudhvx on topic Commercial Rectifier

retterath wrote: physiology.usouthal.edu/restore/diode/diode.html


If you want to make your own from Radio Shack rectifiers, you'll need more than one to make a 3-phase rectifier. You can use two, but three would be stronger. I designed this a long time ago, and now a one-piece, 3-phase unit is available, which is in my previous post.
home made, 3-phase rectifier

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  • DoubleDub
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07 Jun 2011 15:18 - 07 Jun 2011 15:22 #455943 by DoubleDub
Replied by DoubleDub on topic Commercial Rectifier
I made the Lou Special Rectifier for my 900 - works great!



(Sorry about the crappy photo)

I built it because my regulator was still functioning and I had a short in the rectifier plug. For <$20 I had a running bike again.

Thanks Lou!
Last edit: 07 Jun 2011 15:22 by DoubleDub.

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07 Jun 2011 15:25 #455945 by DoubleDub
Replied by DoubleDub on topic Commercial Rectifier

bangshift440rt wrote: or use a commercial 12v regulator I would imagine


I believe the regulator on these bikes is an AC voltage regulator, not a DC voltage regulator? Maybe there isn't a difference...but the regulator is attached on the AC side of the rectifier.

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  • bangshift440rt
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07 Jun 2011 15:41 #455948 by bangshift440rt
Replied by bangshift440rt on topic Commercial Rectifier
Thanks loudhvx, I just bought it now a similar rectifier for $5.07 shipped! We'll see if it works. If not oh well, lesson learned!

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  • Motor Head
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07 Jun 2011 16:40 #455959 by Motor Head
Replied by Motor Head on topic Commercial Rectifier

DoubleDub wrote:

bangshift440rt wrote: or use a commercial 12v regulator I would imagine


I believe the regulator on these bikes is an AC voltage regulator, not a DC voltage regulator? Maybe there isn't a difference...but the regulator is attached on the AC side of the rectifier.


DD I think it is converted then regulated. At least with everyone I've seen. There are AC regulators as well though, this would be when there is no battery. Like in Sleds.

1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...

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  • DoubleDub
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07 Jun 2011 16:42 #455960 by DoubleDub
Replied by DoubleDub on topic Commercial Rectifier
Not sure how that would be possible since the same three AC wires feed the regulator and the rectifier.

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07 Jun 2011 16:59 #455967 by Motor Head
Replied by Motor Head on topic Commercial Rectifier

DoubleDub wrote: Not sure how that would be possible since the same three AC wires feed the regulator and the rectifier.

Have a look at it, first the paragraph form KAW, then the circuit. AC made, rectified, then regulated.




I think all the Automotive stuff would be just like it.

1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
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07 Jun 2011 17:01 #455969 by OnkelB
Replied by OnkelB on topic Commercial Rectifier
You may want to consider Oregon Motorcycle Parts, he makes one for around 50 bucks.

No personal experience, but I know of several people who are using his products, never heard a bad word about him.

www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/rectifiers3p.html

77 KZ 650 B1, 82 GPz 1100 B2.

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