Electrex rec/reg on CB550K1

[Erny]

Hi all,

as a part of investigation of improper charging I tried to replace stock rec+reg by combined unit from Electrex https://www.electrexworld.co.uk/acatalog/RR24.html#SID=439

With stock mechanical regulator and charged battery I have 14-14,4 until 6k RPM then it drops to less than 13. When RPMs are back down, voltage again increases back.

Suprisingly, with new Electrex unit it looks it charges less than stock. I have 13-13,3V but stable level.

Measured with lights on.

Anybody with experience with Electrex RR24? Is that normal behaviour?

Strange is that accroding to their website, CB500K or CB550K is not listed on this product, but I assume regulators are the same for CB500K1/2, CB550K1 and also CB550F CB500K3.
The same unit they sell for CB750

[Johnwebley]

I had a RR24 on mine.

It copes well.
Runs electronic ignition and H4 halogen 65/60 headlight

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[Erny]

Hmm that's strange then.
Maybe I should send it back to wemoto for replacement.

Will test it on my CB750 and then see

[paulbaker1954]

Any further on this, I have an Electrex unit waiting to be fitted.

Also re my “running like a dog” posts I still recommend highly the Boyer system, I got so sidetracked that my issues were due to ignition which they were not.

Boyer were really helpful and for £17 they checked the complete system for faults. Their support is first rate

[Erny]

Paul,
no futher update yet, I was busy with garage renovation + weather change (rain, low temps here...0.

Plan is to test it on my CB750K K7 and then test K7 regulator on CB550.

But, it seems to be Electrex does not work as good as stock one... more than 1V lower voltage is too much

[Bryanj]

Original reg sounds like contacts are sticking with vibration at revs, 13.3 with lights on and battery charged is about right

[Erny]

Yes, I suspect the same - contacts sticking at vibrations. But what's wrong? Regulator not resistant to vibration (and should be) or?
13.3V on electrex is maybe good with lights but it will not charge battery fast enough in the city rides. I expected it will juice max, so similar to stock regulator.

Would be good if someone who has Electrex on CB500/550 can measure voltage with and w/o lights (H4) in entire RPM range to have reference check

[Johnwebley]

I could do this. But not for a few weeks. As I am away on hols

Mine works great. Recently covered 500 miles in a weekend.
But. I do tend to keep the revs up when the lights are on
As I think the generator is only 200w at best

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[Erny]

Thanks.

Yes, I do the same, keeping higher revs when running with lights, especially in the city with lot of stops on traffic lights.

[deltarider]

Slightly of topic... From 1980 on, the year I bought my CB500K2 (ED), I've continued using the 55/60 Watts H4 halogen the bike came with and never had any charging problems. Every ride I return with a better charged battery than I took of with. I should add I don't like to ride in cities, but I live in the centre so the first and last part of a ride is inevitably in the city. Some years ago I've changed something in my headlamp reflector. I replaced the 4 Watts Ba9s position light bulb, that is not very useful anyway, by a dito 20 Watts halogen that I now use as my DRL (see pic). Saves fuel by reducing some 35-40 Watts. I had looked for a suitable led for that purpose, but an expert explained me the result would be no good without the special reflector a led needs. BTW, I'm still looking for a stylish switch to mount on the handlebar so I can just switch the pilot light on only without the taillight and instruments lights. Whenever I'd need those, like on entering a tunnel, I could then still switch the standard Honda RH handlebar to "P" and so add instruments lights and taillight. I like to make it perfect by having a yellowish DRL that is known to make motorcyclists stand out better. I looked for a Ba9s in yellow, NOT amber. Maybe I've found one (https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PCS-12v-21w-BA9S-YELLOW-SIDE-LIGHT-BAYONET-BULB-AMBER-CAR-LAMP-REVERSE-BULBS-/152497315292), but I'm still in doubt is it really yellow in that picture or amber, the color I definitely do not want. What do you guys think?

[Erny]

I got the point for your idea, but if I want to implement it would mean modification of cable harness - I have US version with light switch on right handlebar having only OFF and ON position, I cannot switch on position light alone only.
Additionally, position light is not allowed to be used legally and on the other hand you have to have position bulb in the main headlight of flashers. On top, using 20W bulb on place of position light is not legal too.. Yes, question is if someone will notice that (police)...

I converted from US version sealed beam with sidelight in flashers to H4 headlight with position bulb while deactivating position lights in flashers.
I as like US front look with flashers, I'm thinking to re-activate sidelights in flashers again but using LED bulbs due to power consumption. To do that I need to insert some diode into turn check light in idoit lights panel to isolate left and right part to avoid both side working simultaneously.

[Bryanj]

Doesnt matter what regulator you have its engine revs that govern amount of charge current. You will never charge the battery poodling round town with lights on, drive like a hooligan maybe!

[Erny]

Yes, I know this well, unfortunately. I spend some time trying to find some solution like upgrading alternator to higher output power but seems hardly possible.

My only trigger for regulator replacement was issues at higher revs. I'll test other reg from my stock CB750K7, it is the same, but looking service manual, internal settings (contact gap) is not the same. Anyway I'll try it at high revs to see if behaviour will be better to eliminate definitely stock regulator issue.

[SteveD CB500K0]

drive like a hooligan maybe!

.

Translation: ride normally



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[Erny]

I do, but when I do it does not charge so well and I miss a bit of fun factor