Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Regulator/Rectifier Wiring Help Please.

[nelly]

Pretty common. The connectors get dirty or corroded. This causes increased resistance across the terminals and manifests itself as heat. There can be some pretty high Amp'age across tehre and the heat melts the plastic connector and insulation. Snowballs from that as the resistance increases and eventually the assembly melts/fails.
Regular cleaning and electrolyte helps.

[spinoli1]

Nelly,

I agree woth "melts/fails", but please will you add "...catches fire and scares the **** out of the rider" to the list of possible consequences.

Ta.

Spin

[nelly]

Originally Posted by spinoli1

Nelly,

I agree woth "melts/fails", but please will you add "...catches fire and scares the **** out of the rider" to the list of possible consequences.

Ta.

Spin

Yeah, that happens eventually. Usually after prolonged periods of "not cleaning and lubricating"

[skidlids]

Useful stuff

[spinoli1]

Thanks for your comments Nelly and Skidlids.

I have always kept all connector blocks full of silicon grease, to try to keep away corrosion, especially the alternator/reg-rec connector block.

However, I can see this grease becoming fuel for the fire I experienced, if the alternator/reg-rec connector block did heat up from increased resistance.

New cable (35amp) and connector block (45amp) on the way, and I will bung in a new fuel filter in case this is upping the current draw.

Nelly - deeply hurt that you infer my bike is grubby. 'Tis always nice and shiny.

Spin