regulator/rectifier

One quick tech question:

With engine at idle, is it normal for the regulator/rectifier's negative wire (the black with white stripe) to get warm to the touch?

(is it because it carries a high current to charge the battery?)

or could it be casued by dodgy reg rec to battery wiring?

Thanks

i dont think the wires are supposed to heat up on anything, im sure mine dont, as far as i know it should only be outputting about 14-15 volts into the battery

i wonder if heating is caused by oxidised because there is a higher resistance?

[Spiderman]

that sounds like a possibility to me mate, the higer resistance would cause some heat.
I'd send Squid a quick PM about that, he'd know for sure

The R/R itself will get hot, that's normal, and the bit of wire near the unit itself will warm up a bit because it's connected to something hot.

If the connector block is getting noticeably hot though then it's because the connectors aren't making good contact and probably the spades are a bit slack and possibly dirty too.

[TSM]

Originally Posted by Cazza

The R/R itself will get hot, that's normal, and the bit of wire near the unit itself will warm up a bit because it's connected to something hot.

If the connector block is getting noticeably hot though then it's because the connectors aren't making good contact and probably the spades are a bit slack and possibly dirty too.

Arcing you mean? like on many bikes ends up to a melted connector block

[yorkie_chris]

Depends how hot. To be sure, check the voltage across the wire in question. Serious resistance under load (i.e headlights and engine on) will manifest itself as a voltage drop.