Hi all, I broke down (again) today : ( It appears my alternator that's only 4 weeks old brought brand new has given up after only 500 miles. I'm no expert but I'm sure they are supposed to last a bit longer than that, maybe? Its the earlier type that has the flywheel inside the alternator with 2 yellow wires. I'm just wondering if its just my luck that a £500 part lasts 4 weeks or is this something any of you have come across before? Really appreciate any information that might help me understand why this has happened again so soon after the other one gave up. Thanks in advance Alex
i Alex, Its a common fault, the wiring is usually the cause as its not suitable. This results in the rectifier failing or the white connector block melting (behind the rectifier). The wiring needs to be upgraded for a heavier gauge from the alternator to the rectifier, a few of us also relocate the rectifier to somewhere cooler too as the heat affects its performance (being next to the exhaust!). I run a rectifier from a Yamaha R1, much more reliable and works on the early two wire alternator (mines a 97) - Cheaper than replacing with a Ducati one too....Use the search function, you will find loads of threads
I had my stator rewired a few years back. Cant remember where but I will still have the receipt somewhere. I will check tomorrow and repost. But its as srad says. Buy an RR53 from here. Regulator Rectifier for DUCATI 996, 748S, & HONDA VFR800 manufactured by Electrex World | Electrex World Ltd Buy two. Keep one under the seat. To get you home sometimes. Lucky to get 15-20m once red light comes on. Alternatively put the heavier duty cable on yourself. But you will still fry RR's. Get a heat shield for it too. Its a 1/2hr swap once you get the flow of it.
Searched forum and found loads of good stuff regarding my problem, thanks very much. It's a long story but I have a brand new R/R bought in error on my part but it has 3 yellow wires going into it rather than the 2 my original 1, am I right in thinking I can use that as a replacement ? Also the recovery man recommended this company that might be of some help to some of you I hope if you need your alternator refurbished. Westcountry Windings All the best Alex
Westcountry Windings has a very good reputation although I haven't used them myself, as far as the reg/rec goes I would think the three wire unit should be ok using any two of the yellow wires, if you have to upgrade the wiring I would suggest fitting it somewhere cooler. I have had two rec/ regs go on my 748 the second was a 14 month old Electrex unit with all the wires upgraded so I wouldn't use one again, I have fitted a Shindengen Mofset unit and am led to believe they are bomb proof, used as an upgrade by many other bike manufacturers. And with a shield to give some protection. Steve
Thats it. Westcountry windings. Nice one Birdie/Alex. They rewound mine and its still going strong. Quick turnover too. If your RR has 3 wires and your stator 2 then you only need to connect 2 as Birdie says. I recommend you properly solder them and use good insulator sleeves over the soldered ends. Do not use plug in socket things to connect stator wires to RR wires. They get hot. I kept my RR where it was fitted originally. I also fitted an Alu heat shield and stuck more heat protection pads around it. Its still going fine. 3 wire stators are for wimps. 2 wire is hardcore.
