Voltage Regulator

[Derek]

The reg/rect on my 95 900SS packed up last night, left me 12 miles from home in the dark with no lights. :mad: It was shorting out the battery but fortunately didn't cause a fire.
Unless someone can suggest something better I will replace it with an Electrex. Any ideas?

[KeefyB]

I found the Newtronic unit worked well and was fairly cheap.
www.newtronic.co.uk

[Derek]

Not being the patient sort I've gone and ordered an Electrex unit before awaiting advice. The Newtronic one is about the same price (£70 ish) but is only rated at 35A. Northwest Motorcycle Services (http://www.cdiunit.co.uk/regulator.html) do one which looks really robust, rated at 50A but is more expensive at £80 (+p&p?)
I see that Electrex also do replacement CDI units for Ducatis which claim to be programmable, no technical info though.

[UglyDuckling]

Had a similar problem with mine a few years back. I was advised by the "boys at Silverstone" that the newer version used by the 4-valve brigade fits and is more reliable. Mine's now been one for about 18 months and hasn't given me any trouble since (famous last words...). But, then again, the bike's not been used too much over the past 18 months (1500 miles only). The new version does fit OK, but requires a bit of fiddling to position it nicely as it's a slightly different shape to the old one I had.

[moto748]

The newer (3-phase) ones aren't bullet-proof by any means.

Mine went pop the other week on my 748, taking the battery with it. And it chose to do it when I was on holiday in the Scottish Highlands :o (as posted elsewhere on DSC).

Luckily, prompt work by Ducati Glasgow saved the day.

The mounting position on the 748/996 doesn't help, though. I can't remember where they're mounted on the SS (although I used to have a 750SS:rolleye:)). Ideally they should be in the wind-flow for best cooling.

[Edited on 18-8-2004 by moto748]

[Iconic944ss]

This does seem to be a weak point - not only with the 'SS' series obviously.

I also remember reading the newer units were more reliable than the old - but perhaps not.

Busters acessories listed a replacement in their last catalogue but hopefully, someone will do an up-date modern replacement by now.

Good luck - Frank

[edwyun]

try the diagnostics flowchart listed on the electrex website.

http://www.electrexusa.com/electrex_fault_finding.html

I would also try to find out why & where the electrical system is shorting.

[Derek]

"I would also try to find out why & where the electrical system is shorting."

Who's got a short? The only problem with mine was the voltage regulator was shorted to ground internally. Replacement fixed that. :D