Regulator Rectifier upgrade

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHi all...

My 76 KZ900 isn't charging. During the troubleshooting process, I read about the problem with the rectifier catching fire and how it's strongly recommended to upgrade from the OEM separate regulator and rectifier to a new combination regulator/rectifier. Saw these two on Ebay. Can anyone suggest one over the other or some other unit that's better. I saw the one from Redline Cycle but it's over twice as much as either of these. Also, what are potential challenges in using a universal regulator rectifier? I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on the subject.

Oh... before I go, a little background. I'm pretty sure the bike was charging about a month ago before I put the project on hold for a while. Haven't ridden it or done anything to it, now it's not. Under those circumstances this seems like a bad connection somewhere, but I figured since the stock rectifier is a potential problem with these bikes I should start by replacing that.

With a stock alternator, I would try a used Ninja regulator/rectifier. They are dirt cheap and plentiful. Don't use anything over 20 years old, though.

If you have the money to spend, you could also try the Shindengen series-pass regulator. But make sure not to get a counterfeit version.

I just replaced my XS650 regulator and rectifier with one of these units for less than that one on eBay. They also offer a one year warranty and support.
ElectroSport

Good info thanks to you both. How about rewiring the connector to fit the panel? Can the 3 power lines go in an any power hole or is there an order? Also, does anyone sell the blue green white brown replacement plugs? Been looking but haven't found any available.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationWould this work?

Robb2018 wrote: Good info thanks to you both. How about rewiring the connector to fit the panel? Can the 3 power lines go in an any power hole or is there an order? Also, does anyone sell the blue green white brown replacement plugs? Been looking but haven't found any available.

Not sure but the reg/rec I bought came with the correct plugs. A simple swap really...

A SERIES R/R like the Shinden SH775 is vastly superior to the standard shunt type R/R that most people use. For one thing they help protect your stator from return current overheat damage and secondly, they are made by a well respected Japanese company and are extremely robust. I've posted dozens of times about the superiority of the SH775 but for some reason most people around KZR ignore this advise. If you need more conceiving try google searching on SH775 and read for yourself. They are no more expensive than a cheap Chinese shunt R/R too. It's a nobrainer.

Ive upgraded to a sh 775 on my 78 1000b and as soon as I quit riding for the year, Il upgrade my kz900 as the same plus an upgrade to blade fuses to both. They're Both simple installations. Currently lowering my complete back yard 6" to grade by hand, adding patio, sod and gardening. Good exercise but running out of money doesn't count as exercise unfortunately.

The series pass regulator is only vastly superior if the alternator is vastly too powerful for the normal bike load. The Kz's alternators are pretty well-matched to the load of the bike so the shunt type works well, and works well for 40 years. If you get a really powerful alternator/stator, and don't have extra lights etc to use the extra power, then you'd be better off with the series-pass. But for a well-matched load, as in a stock bike, the series pass is an improvement, but I wouldn't say it's "vastly superior" .

You can get recent factory reg/rec's used for $10. That's pretty hard to beat as a value.

I believe that factory ZX12R reg/rec would work if it is a 6-wire reg/rec. That is Black, Brown, Red, and three Yellow wires. But I haven't actually tried it. I've only actually tried ones from a Ninja 500/250 or maybe Ninja 650 from the mid 2000's.

Robb2018 wrote: Hi all...

............. I read about the problem with the rectifier catching fire ..........

:laugh: Really? Where did you read that the rectifier would catch fire? I've owned my KZ650-C1 for more than 41 years (bought it new). It has the stock rectifier and stock separate voltage regulator, and I've never had any signs that the rectifier got hot much less caught on fire. Ed

This video may assist you to determine why you aren't charging your battery.

adventuremotorcycle.com/tech-n-tips/mosf...tor-upgrade-rmstator