Hi,
I am thinking of replacing the original system with a RR45 charge controller. Has anyone had any experience of these? I’m hoping it will produce a higher charge rate at lower revs due to the efficiency of the diodes.
Steve
I was thinking of doing this for my 850 big block - I even bought one - but wasn’t overly convinced in the end. Ended up getting a solid-state regulator instead - didn’t make any difference to low speed charging. Basically the alternator can’t do it, simply not turning fast enough. Factory manual gives a table of outputs, has to be at least 2,000 rpm. At 3,000 rpm, still only getting half power. Absolute max. of 20 Amps only achievable at 6,000 rpm.
There were various problems with the RR45, not least the inability to light the dash charge warning lamp. I couldn’t find a way to resolve this. Best way is to connect the wire direct to ignition plus to make sure the unit works. Another thing, as soon as that is done it sends 4 Amps down the rotor winding before the engine is even started yet. Might be an issue if battery is low and you need all the power you can get for the starter. Another problem, where to mount it, doesn’t easily replace stock reg or rectifier on the bike.
Hi,
I was hoping this would be a cheap improvement. The warning light can be cured by wiring in a relay with a 33ohm 5amp resistor instead of the warning light. Then use the normally closed contact to power the warning light. Bit of a chore, but not worth it if there is no gain. I have experimented with LCD headlight, but I can’t fit the bulb heat sink in the shallow headlamp shell.
I will wait until the reg/rectifier fails and then fit the RR45. In the mean time I will save for an uprated alternator.
Steve
Mine had such feeble current it wouldn’t have operated a relay. Not the value what instructions say. I even designed a transistor switch + amplifier to help it work the lamp but as you say was becoming too much of a faff at which point I lost interest. But YMMV.
I shall invest in some LED lights to drop the load to a minimum.
And do some long rides, sounds good!
Steve
My bike came with heated grips. I took a wire from terminal 61 at the regulator to a relay and then to earth. It’s a 75ohm relay coil. Then fed the auxiliaries from the normally open contacts, T87. This is with the original reg/rectifier. It works well and the heated grips and sat nav only work/charge when the warning light goes out.
Steve.