Voltage regulator question...

[dougie]

Tested my new regulator again today, but this time with the voltmeter on the 200v scale rather than the 20v scale (too many silly decimal places). At 3000rpm it moved between 14.1v and 14.3v. That's fine with me, just don't understand why I was getting 14.6/14.7 the first time I tried it.
I know you are supposed to test these things after running for a while, perhaps because they have an optimum operating temperature?
I know the Aussies are happy with their Bosch RE57 regulators but I read somewhere that they were designed to be mounted upside-down.

[Garnet]

I know the Aussies are happy with their Bosch RE57 regulators but I read somewhere that they were designed to be mounted upside-down.

I was drinking with some Aussies last night......... now my head hurts.

[2valve]

well dougie, the upside is atleast you dont have to buy a multi meter .

[dougie]

I was drinking with some Aussies last night......... now my head hurts.

Never try to out-drink an Aussie. (BTDT )

[Rob Frankham]

Put in a new VR from Motobins. It looks exactly like the old one. Went for a 20 minute ride then put the meter on the battery.

At 3000rpm or above I get 14.5 - 14.6 volts. I thought I would see 13.8 - 14 volts. (This is not the high output VR.)
Is that OK?
These things are electronic but I suspect they are not complicated, and should be easy to manufacture accurately.

Should I suspect my Radio Shack digital meter, and if so, can it be tested?

Check the ground (brown) wire to the regulator. If it isn't sound, the regulator will have problems regulating...

Rob

[dougie]

Check the ground (brown) wire to the regulator. If it isn't sound, the regulator will have problems regulating...Rob

Thanks Rob, I think I got it sorted.

[Jean]

It appears your meter is somewhat suspect. Best way to check is find someone with another meter and see what IT says under the same conditions as yours.
Meters generally read higher on the scale closest to the desired reading, in this case, the 20 volt scale for 12 volts, rather than the 200 volt scale for 12 volts. Meters of all sorts are more accurate when the thing being measured is at least 50% of scale or higher. This is not supposed to be as important with digital meters, but it seems to hold true from my experience. My "credit card" Radio Shack meter reads higher than my bench meter on the same scales (20 volt for 12-14 volts on bikes): both are digital. Bench meter is a SPERRY...big yellow package.

[DucatiPete]

Can i join the club now, since i just got meself one of those 'ol fangled RE57s? (For me RS that is...)
Hopefully, I'll have a fully charged battery when i go to get going after Jingellic next w/end!

[2valve]

hi DucatPete, yes you can now join the RE57 club and a big welcome to you

[DucatiPete]

On receipt of said RE57 I noted it was MADE IN AUSTRALIA!... I was totally flabbergasted & almost overcome with nostalgia. I cried out: "Made in Australia! geez, this must be old!" The bloke behind the counter said I was being cynical - I wasn't...
pete