Alternator "voltage regulator"

[Slipperyeel]

I am in what I hope are the closing throes of fixing my poor twin cam. Well not me exactly, I've exhausted my patience but more probably my expertise - so on Wednesday it goes to another, more qualified establishment. I live in hope!

In the interim, as I carefully reassemble everything, I have come to see that the new alternator fitted to my bike in France does not have a "voltage regulator" bolted to it. Before you shoot me down, I know the alternator has a regulator/rectifier as a part of it, but...I see on the manual - see pic below - there is this odd looking short cable, part #3, referred to as a "voltage regulator".

I totally get it that this may now be a redundant part as it's all handled by an updated regulator/rectifier. But for the more knowledgeable of you out there. Is this 'missing' or is my assumption that it has been made redundant correct?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Does that help ??

3 is the Output post from the alternator to the battery
2 is a Nut and 1 is a plastic cap

Shoot me/us a photo of your alternator ???

Modern alternators use PWM for output control via the ECU

 

[Slipperyeel]

Does that help ??
3 is the Output from the alternator to the battery
View attachment 474128

I was just about to go to bed!

Thanks Doc. This is very interesting. Mostly because of the description in your pic.
Right now that is NOT fitted to my alternator. I mean my brand new alternator! I'm just unclear what it's doing and if it's contributing to my latest issue?

If it's related, I'm not sure if it's the cause...! But the description in your pic is making me wonder.

The guys about to receive my bike will have a few bald patches after the head scratching I know is coming their way!

 

[DrFarkoff]

I was just about to go to bed!

Thanks Doc. This is very interesting. Mostly because of the description in your pic.
Right now that is NOT fitted to my alternator. I mean my brand new alternator! I'm just unclear what it's doing and if it's contributing to my latest issue?

If it's related, I'm not sure if it's the cause...! But the description in your pic is making me wonder.

The guys about to receive my bike will have a few bald patches after the head scratching I know is coming their way!

Okay so "what" bit is not connected ?

Shoot a pic tomorrow and If you can't pm it I will message you my number and you can whatsapp it to me !

Good Proper Photos

Not The Giles school of pics They were always terrible !!

 

[Slipperyeel]

Hello Doc
On your image, No.3 is called "surge protection diode". This short cable/device is not fitted on my alternator. I totally get it this may now be incorporated into the regulator/rectifier mounted on the back of the alternator.

But after my earlier incident with sparks spontaneously eminating from the back of the alternator (actually I think it was the reg/rectifier) you'll forgive me wondering if there's a connection?!

See pics below. If you can discern the alternator through the clutter, you'll see the + cable is disconnected. But also you'll see no other cable... specifically the "surge protection diode" cable...

Okay so "what" bit is not connected ?

Shoot a pic tomorrow and If you can't pm it I will message you my number and you can whatsapp it to me !

Good Proper Photos

Not The Giles school of pics They were always terrible !!

Okay so "what" bit is not connected ?

Shoot a pic tomorrow and If you can't pm it I will message you my number and you can whatsapp it to me !

Good Proper Photos

Not The Giles school of pics They were always terrible !!

Okay so "what" bit is not connected ?

Shoot a pic tomorrow and If you can't pm it I will message you my number and you can whatsapp it to me !

Good Proper Photos

Not The Giles school of pics They were always terrible !!

Hello Doc
On your image, No.3 is called "surge protection diode". This short cable/device is not fitted on my alternator. I totally get it this may now be incorporated into the regulator/rectifier mounted on the back of the alternator.

But after my earlier incident with sparks spontaneously eminating from the back of the alternator (actually I think it was the reg/rectifier) you'll forgive me wondering if there's a connection?!

See pics below. If you can discern the alternator through the clutter, you'll see the + cable is disconnected. But also you'll see no other cable... specifically the "surge protection diode" cable...

 

[DrFarkoff]

Hello Doc
On your image, No.3 is called "surge protection diode". This short cable/device is not fitted on my alternator. I totally get it this may now be incorporated into the regulator/rectifier mounted on the back of the alternator.

But after my earlier incident with sparks spontaneously eminating from the back of the alternator (actually I think it was the reg/rectifier) you'll forgive me wondering if there's a connection?!

See pics below. If you can discern the alternator through the clutter, you'll see the + cable is disconnected. But also you'll see no other cable... specifically the "surge protection diode" cable...

Hohlee Schit I do not know Who The F*ck worked on your bike! But that is shoddy!!

So that cable lug should be on that threaded stud and an M6 washer and Nut (mine has a flanged washer / nut )

The picture is on my dismantled 1200

There is also a Multiplug that should be fitted on the empty port, and I think the alleged mechanic that was working on it should have removed the surge protection diode from the old alternator !!

But being honest I have not worked on TC very much at all so cannot be absolutely sure

Perhaps @nicholsonj2252 could confirm I believe he has had a couple ??

 

[DrFarkoff]

@Slipperyeel me Ole son !!

Well I found your Nut! How the hell you managed to get that all the way back just amazes me and yes you probably will see burn marks on the threaded bit or alternator casing!!

 

[Slipperyeel]

@Slipperyeel me Ole son !!

Well I found your Nut! How the hell you managed to get that all the way back just amazes me and yes you probably will see burn marks on the threaded bit or alternator casing!!

View attachment 474237

Ah. But if a misunderstanding. I disconnected the alternator as part of my search for the fault!

But...your comment earlier (the post with the old alternator pic) that this should have been taken off the old alternator is interesting.

I just don't know enough about auto electrics to understand if the absence of that "surge protection diode" is a big deal or not

I'm still worried this brand new alternator is now rubbish after those sparks coming out of it

 

[DrFarkoff]

Ah. But if a misunderstanding. I disconnected the alternator as part of my search for the fault!

But...your comment earlier (the post with the old alternator pic) that this should have been taken off the old alternator is interesting.

I just don't know enough about auto electrics to understand if the absence of that "surge protection diode" is a big deal or not

I'm still worried this brand new alternator is now rubbish after those sparks coming out of it

PM me your frame number Let me look