Can i use a car regulator on my VFR?

Hi

I have a 1999 VFR 800, got it for a month now, the bike doesn't charge the battery. Checked all the wiring, the alternator makes good power, figured it was the r/r. Its quite hard to get hold of a R/R were i am. I thought i could use the rectifier and regulator from a car. Connected up the rectifier, getting good DC Voltage off the rectifier, But i dont know how to connect the regulator to it, has anyone tried this before, and could you help me?

Thanks

 

An automotive regulator won't work. Most motorcycles use a permanent magnet charging system, and automotive systems have a "switchable" field, meaning that the alternator output is turned on and off as is required. The permanent magnet alternator is constant output, so it requires a different style of regulator.

 

I've used a car rectifier plate and regulator on an old CB1100RC and that seemed to work. It's tricky but can be done.

 

Thanks, i try and make it work, will keep you updated if it works or not.

 

My old CB1100F also has an automotive-style alternator/charging system, and I suppose that an automotive regulator could be adapted. But a permanent magnet alternator (VFR as well as most newer bikes) is ALWAYS in output mode, so a different type of R/R is required. The significant difference in motorcycle R/Rs are the components used inside; they are either SCR-type or MOSFET-type.

There might be some new bikes that use a switchable-field alternator, but most do not. If your heart is set on experimenting, do be cautious. The unloaded output of an alternator can cause injury and/or fires.

 

I gave up trying to get the car regulator to work, to complex for me to do. I ordered a Shindengen FH012AA R/R off ebay, got it yesterday, installed and working today, yay! Back on the road. It took forever for it to get here, waited like a month, but it works brilliantly.