Sprint ST alternator regulator/rectifier

[Bass]

My 04 Sprint is just coming up for its 100k service. It is on its second stator and third regulator/rectifier and the charging circuit has spat the dummy yet again.
Obviously I am wondering why.
Now it seems to me that the circuit is externally pretty simple. It has a permanent magnet rotor, a wound stator, the regulator and that's it. I THINK that the consequence of this is any energy produced by the alternator which is not drawn by the electrical load, has to be dissipated as heat by the regulator. I know that the regulator runs damned hot in any case. I also know that the regulator is tucked away inside the frame behind the motor and so does not enjoy much cooling airflow, especially around town.
Could it be that the regulator is overheating and would benefit from some redirected airflow (if i can figure out some way to achieve that)?

Has anyone out there got any other ideas or is it just that Joe Lucas, the prince of darkness, is still alive and well but in another guise under a pseudonym?

[Owl]

Not sure of the setup of your 04 Sprint, but there may be options.

Depending on the stator and plug connections, you may be able to fit a Shindengen R/R and purchase a "Triumph link cable" ($30), so it becomes plug'n'play. This R/R is a MOSFET type and runs cooler, while providing greater charging. I did this to my 05 Speed Triple and it's a standard fix for earlier 675's.

The link cable is new and I believe there are two variations now, depending on what suits your current loom and R/R position.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMAHA-VOLTAGE-REGULATOR-1D7-81960-00-00-NEW-SHINDENGEN-/360334768707?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53e5a03a43#ht_1042wt_820

[Bass]

Firstly, thanks for that. You make it sound like my guess is correct and that this is a known problem????
I read about a mosfet conversion about the time of the 2nd/3rd R/R but the guy had rewired everything himself and I didn't feel confident enough to tackle that. If you handed me that R/R, I couldn't even tell you which was the input side and which was the output.
I guess once you know which side is which, it's not too difficult. It's 3 phase input and so I suppose that it doesn't matter which wire goes where? I'm not so sure about the other side though. It's 3 wire as well which I guess is positive, negative and power supply to turn it on???
Might see if I can find some of those link cables that you mention.

[Sable]

Bung a computer fan on it?

[Owl]

Mine is also 3 phase input and it doesn't matter which way the 3 wires go. However my R/R output is 2 wire and I have no idea about a third wire there?

Triumph link cable part #T2500676. A picture can be found down the page here. http://www.triumphtorque.com/messageboard/thread/71905-regulator-alternative.aspx

Hope that helps.:blink:

[HQfiend]

Quite a common problem all over. Suzuki is using the SCR type r/r as well on most models and they run hotter and are more susceptible to vibration. Not usually a worry on the 4 cylinders but on the twins/triples I expect they cop the abuse.
When they fault it's a crap shoot if they go zero amps or throw 70 amps through your electrical system. Your lucky if it hasn't fried your ECU and the loom from one end to the other!

[Bass]

Mine is also 3 phase input and it doesn't matter which way the 3 wires go. However my R/R output is 2 wire and I have no idea about a third wire there?

Triumph link cable part #T2500676. A picture can be found down the page here. http://www.triumphtorque.com/messageboard/thread/71905-regulator-alternative.aspx

Hope that helps.:blink:

Have ordered a mosfet R/R and wiring kit.
Will ignore the loom and wire direct to the battery.
$200 all up including about $50 for the courier, cheaper than I can buy an after market SCR unit from down the road. Forget Mr Triumph - he wanted $900 for the named part.
Thanks for the help guys.
Edit:
Have just learned that the stator is poked too and so have one of those coming from the States as well. (I do like to support my local shop but I swear that if I had to pay OEM prices, I couldn't afford to own this bike. The electrical bill would now be well over 4 grand and that's just for parts). Anyway, obviously I want to put a stop to this nonsense. Although, according to all I've read, a mosfet system will perform better and run cooler, the existing system has failed so often that I am concerned whatever is causing my woes, may also take out the new system.
So, is there anyone out there who can say with any certainty that overheating of the R/R is the most likely cause (in which case I will look at improving the cooling) or should I also be looking elsewhere? After all, when I get it going again, it will be on its 3rd stator and 5th regulator and I'm sure that Sprints don't all perform this badly.
That's just bloody ridiculous.

[Bass]

Come on chasps!
I'm sure there must be someone out there with ideas as to what else I should check.