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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through May 25, 2005 » Voltage Regulator Survey « Previous Next »

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Tomzweifel
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 12:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just a quick question, you can reply here with a yes, no, maybe...

If you could buy a name-brand aftermarket voltage regulator that was advertised to reduce stator current and temperature and extend the life of the stator (i.e. it wouldn't burn up at 20k miles), for somewhere in the $100 range, would you?

Thanks!
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Lovematt
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would...as long as it actually worked and did not create problems with not charging enough. Anything to reduce the potential of a problem is a good thing in my book.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 12:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The claim is fully credible as well. They are basically making a non-shunt regulator, instead of the factory shunt regulator. I will take a lot of heat out of the stator (and primary).
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Fullpower
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 12:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

yes i would entertain the purchase of a series regulator at that price. bear in mind though, that you are dealing with a 3 phase stator, running continuous duty at around 40 amps. also the open circuit switching voltage may be around 70 volts, and whatever device is chosen to act as a switch may see voltage spikes of 100 volts or more on each cycle. there are several good reasons the factory has chosen a seemingly wasteful shunt type regulation scheme.
1) the transition from vehicle load to shunt on each cycle is SMALLER than an open circuit to load , meaning it is LESS of voltage transient, meaning less potential noise.
2) with a continuous load on stator, we avoid the mechanical stress on the wires of loading and unloading the stator with each cycle. ever notice a pair of jumper cables "jump" around when cranking an engine? 40 amps switched on and off rapidly through 14 gauge wire induces a very strong mechanical stress.
3) the loaded stator voltage is held to a relatively low value, i have not measured the ac voltage on the running 3 phase buell, but with the regulator connected, i would expect the loaded voltage to stay under 25 volts AC with the shunt style regulator. in contrast a series regulator would allow open circuit voltage to run up in the 70 to 100 volt range, and this is hi frequency AC, very likely to arc over with the slightest insulation porosity and cause a complete melt down.
so the factory has chosen a seemingly inefficient solution resulting a lot of waste heat, but low AC stator voltage, rather than a more energy efficient low waste heat, but very much higher stator voltage condition of a series regulator. i think there is a reliability issue that the factory had in mind here. all that said however, i would be interested.
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Fullpower
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 12:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

to summarize my analysis: considering an oil cooled stator in a high vibration environment, heat may be a lesser concern than high open circuit voltage.
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12bolt
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 03:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the summary.
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Paulson
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 03:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes
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