Self Combusting Rectifier - just caught it.

[MrMessy]

I have had 3 rectifiers fail in recent times. One on an ER5 and 2 on curvy SV's. All failed without causing any damage. The ER5 I replaced with an Electrex item that was bigger so mounted it on the side of the bike on a piece of copper bus-bar. Ist SV one I replaced with a CBR unit 2nd is under charging and still to replace. Talking to my local main dealer they where not aware that they fail but they told me Electrex sell a lot of Triumph and Honda replacements. Apparently the Honda ones fail due to the high output from the alternators not because the rectifiers are suspect. I am going to replace mine with a later unit and mount it in an air stream. It may be beneficial to check battery voltage regularily and may help in catching the problem before it causes any serious damage. (Optimate charging leads and voltmeter)

On my track bike the reg / rec is positioned on the frame as it curves towards the headstock, other minitwins mount it under the front fairing or under the rear subframe but the reason for this is to move the battery forward and out of the seat unit area (usually under the front engine cylinder) and nothing to do with heat dissipation.

Found this scottish enterpriser (sparkbright productions), who sell some nice attractive voltimeters all for around a tenner....

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/sparkbright_p...&_trksid=p4340

Same thing but none available

http://www.rawcomponents.co.uk/batte...nitor-kit.html

Or this American one - LED Gauge

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ery-Gauge.aspx

[Viney]

No_Akira.

I really do think that you are chasing rainbows. As i have said, i have had 3 rectifiers fail, none of which have busrt into flames, they just stop working and cook the battery! I have owned my sv from day one, and its about to celebrate its 10th birthday and 68 thousandth mile all of which i have covered personally. I also know of bikes well into thier 100 thousandth mile of life and again none of which have burst into flames. My bike does a 10mile each way commute every week day. It sounds like your expeirence is/was a one off.

We had/have a similar issue with the front plug getting wet due to poor design, but there is a soloution and thats that. You either do that solution or put up with a soggy bike. Suzuki didnt want to know, although they put a little rubber strip on the pointy model.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Viney

I also know of bikes well into thier 100 thousandth mile of life and again none of which have burst into flames.

Or some ducatis which have only caught fire a bit despite approaching their 100th mile