Exposing the Market Leading Regulator/Rectifier

article written by Jean Des Rosiers

Grant Tiller

I am rebuilding my café racer and adding an Alton electric starter, since space is at a premium, I opted for a Ballistic lithium battery.
These batteries require a slightly higher voltage than standard or AGM lead-acid batteries.
I read that some got on quite well using the lithium batteries with a “standard” Podtronics or similar combined regulator/rectifier and while the battery was not 100% charged, it was OK to get the bike going.

I ordered a Chinese replacement regulator/rectifier and when I got it, I tried it on a 12 volt AC transformer to see how it would perform.
I wanted to know if it was stable, would heat up…
As soon as I connected it to my transformer and powered it up, my test leads just melted, so I figured it was defective.
I measured it and it was not shorted, yet just touching the input wires to the transformer just produced sparks!

What was going on with that thing?
I borrowed a genuine Podtronics from my friend and did the same test… same thing?
Very puzzling.

So I started to investigate and this is what I found.

This is the basic circuit for these regulator/rectifiers:

Grant Tiller

The GREEN rectifiers (this is a 3 phase model) take the AC from the alternator and turn it to pulsating DC, the battery smooths it out.

As the battery voltage rises, the control circuit turns on the RED SCRs to effectively short out the input or to put it another way, short out the alternator.

I have worked all my life in computers and electronics and this does not make sense to me.

My test setup consists of a pair of transformers hooked up to give me 3 different AC voltages, about 13.5 V, 16.5V and 19.5V.

Podtronics

Grant Tiller

Look at the waveforms at the transformer output with a Podtronics type of regulator/rectifier.

My transformers are 250 VA so more than a good 3 phase alternator.

Grant Tiller

This first picture is with the first tap (13.5 V)

AC current is 28A, AC volts is 9.6 and DC volts at the battery is 14.34 with no load.

Second tap (16.5 V)

AC current is 25A, AC volts is 8.1 and DC volts at the battery is 14.4 with no load.

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

Third tap (19.5 V)

AC current is 19A, AC volts is 7.2 and DC volts at the battery is 14.4 with no load.

I added a load consisting a 6 ohm resistor in parallel with a 2 ohm resistor, this in theory would be a 8 amp load, but my wires are somewhat undersized.

Now watch what happens…

First tap (13.5 V)

AC current is 5A, AC volts is 12.8 and DC volts at the battery is 11.8.

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

Second tap (16.5 V)

AC current is 6.8A, AC volts is 14.1 and DC volts at the battery is 12.1.

Third tap (19.5 V)

AC current is 7.3A, AC volts is 14.6 and DC volts at the battery is 12.2.

Grant Tiller

As can be seen, as long as the voltage is below threshold, the rectifier acts as a basic bridge.

Now watch what happens when I reduce the load to only a 6 ohm resistor or about 2 amps…

Grant Tiller

My conclusions with this type of regulator/rectifier are:

  • NEVER use them without a battery
  • NEVER run them without a load

They work, but they are not kind to alternators and as far as using them with lithium-based batteries, this is asking for disaster, the voltage of lithium-based batteries being higher, they will short the alternator more than with a lead-acid battery, a shorted alternator will heat up and some day burn up.

The less load there is, the bigger the hit on the alternator.

Original Zener

Grant Tiller

Now the old Zener diode that many shun for obscure reasons… there are some reasons to use something else, the main one is the Zener is made for positive ground systems and the other is that a separate rectifier is required.

This is the alternator waveshape at 13.5 volts with only a rectifier and a capacitor, connected straight to the battery.

I did not test it at higher voltages because the DC voltage of the battery would have gone too high.

On the first tap of the transformer (13.5V) my readings were:

AC current 0.6A AC volts 13.5 and DC volts at the battery 16.0 with no load.

Grant Tiller

Now I connected the Zener and here are the readings.

Grant Tiller

First tap 13.5 volts from the transformer:

AC current 1.7A AC volts 13.2 and DC volts at the battery 15.0 with no load.

Second tap 16.5 volts from the transformer:

AC current 4.2A AC volts 15 and DC volts at the battery 15.9 with no load.

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

Third tap 19.5 volts from the transformer:

AC current 5.2A AC volts 16.2 and DC volts at the battery 16.4 with no load.

The old Zener is kinder to the alternator since it only clips the TOP of the AC waveshape, it’s regulation however is very approximate erring on the high side.

There are ways to use it on negative ground systems by using stud mount rectifier mounting hardware which electrically insulates the stud from the heat sink, but most people won’t bother and will use a Podtronics or similar not knowing what I have shown previously.

Out of the two so far, I would rather use a Zener than a Podtronics or other similar product.

On each test, the Zener is “wasting” more and more energy, even without a load, going from 23 watts to 63 watts to 85 watts.

Obviously with a load, some of that wasted energy would go to the load and the rest out in heat.

Another interesting bit of information:

With a battery sitting at 13 volts, here is the current draw with the regulator connected

  • Zener 0
  • Podtronics type 0.416 mA

This means the Podtronics type will drain the battery over time.

The Zener has zero draw since that is below its design voltage.

Series-Type

Grant Tiller

I ordered a Shindengen SH775 from eBay – this is a series-type regulator/rectifier also known by some as open-type (because it better describes the way it behaves with the AC supply from the Alternator stator).

It IS more expensive than the short-type, but it performs way above the others.

So as before, first tap of my transformer:

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

AC Amps 1.2 A AC volts 13.5 DC volts at the battery with no load 14.4

This waveshape is on the AC side, the red line is current and the green line is voltage.

As can be seen, the regulator turns ON to pulse the battery with a current spike.

And this wave shape is what the battery sees with a 2 ohm load (6 amps)

The average voltage is a bit below 13 volts.

Going to the second tap:

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

AC Amps 1.7 A AC volts 16.1 DC volts at the battery with no load 14.5.

With a higher voltage, the regulator does not need to turn on as often.

This is what the battery sees with a 2 ohm load.

And finally, the third tap.

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

AC Amps 2.0 A AC volts 19.0 DC volts at the battery with no load 14.58.

Again, with higher voltage, the regulator turns on even less.

And again showing what the battery sees with the same 2 ohm load.

This regulator/rectifier is very “kind” to the alternator, it does NOT short out the stator windings so this means less stress on the alternator, the wires and all the connectors leading to the alternator.

It is more expensive, but if it saves an alternator, it is worth every penny.

My analogy of the Podtronics short-type regulator/rectifier is a vehicle without a throttle whose speed is controlled only by applying the brakes.

The short-type of regulator/rectifier is not new, it is very widely used on many bikes, but any imbalance such as adding or removing loads, changing bulbs to LEDs, running with a blown bulb may result in failure of the alternator, the regulator/rectifier or both.

What is most puzzling is that similar components are used in the construction of both the short-type regulator/rectifier (like the Podtronics) and the much superior series-type (also referred to by some manufacturers as open-type), so cost of components is not an issue.

It is only the fact that short-type regulator/rectifiers have been the normal for so many years, meaning that the production numbers are much higher so the cost is therefore lower.

Grant Tiller
Grant Tiller

There are many people who have found the same things that I have and they are replacing the regulator/rectifier in their bikes with a series-type (open-type) one for better reliability, many manufacturers have also switched and gone to a series-type (open-type) mainly because they are offering longer warranty periods.

My Suzuki V-Strom 1000 has a series-type regulator/rectifier as standard equipment, since it is used very often as a touring bike onto which people add things like heated grips, heated vests, lights etc…

Plus, it has a 5 year warranty, the chances of the alternator burning up was not something they really wanted to have and neither did the riders asking for absolute reliability.

Series-Type Part Numbers

The Shindengen numbers are SH775 for the 35A model and SH847 for the 50A one.

The SH775 is used on certain Polaris models like the Ranger and the part number is 4012941.

The 50A model is the SH847AA – OEM Suzuki Part Number 32800-31J00.

Beware of copies sold on eBay, the real ones have a stainless steel plate on the back, the fake ones are potted.

There is a great video from Jack at Roadster Cycle – Jack is a great source to buy these units from over in the USA!

In the video, Jack points out how to spot a fake unit.

Grant Tiller

My rough rule of thumb is that if the units are less than $100, they are probably fake!

The real ones can be connected to an AC supply 12-20 volts and will not blow any fuse or burn wires, the fake ones WILL.

16 replies

  1. I recently purchased a Shindengen 775A is this the same as the 775? I also have heard that the series type is a better unit. Would a three phase regulator be a better fit and smooth out the current? This is for an Atlas build i am doing and have not purchased my alternator yet, Thanks for your time on this. Chuck Horton.

    • Hi Chuck!

      Yes, the Shindengen 775A is still a series-type regulator/rectifier so no worries there!

      We have a SH775 on a Norton Dominator 650ss – so quite similar as your Atlas project in terms of electricals.
      We’re running it with a three phase Lucas alternator and Motobatt AGM battery and it is absolutely perfect.

      If you haven’t bought the stator yet I can see no good reason why you shouldn’t be going for three phase.
      The cost difference is negligible, and when your battery is fully charged, the SH775 will simply open up the circuit, taking the load of the alternator windings.
      The benefit of three phase is that you are getting a decent charge at low RPMs.

      I believe this is the best solution currently available in the market!

      Don’t hesitate to shout if you get stuck – I am happy to do what I can to help!

    • Hi Jim,

      The Shindengen SH775 (and the SH847) definitely requires a battery in order to operate.

      Podtronics used to make different models. One of the options was a model with a capacitor.
      The model is POD-1P-MAX
      It says clearly on the box “200 watt Rectifier-Regulator with Capacitor”

      John Healy who owns Coventry Spares, and bought the PODtronics business told me that he plans to consolidate the models, and that as a result a capacitor will be included as standard in the future.

      I think there is still a LOT of old stock in the dealers though, so be careful!

      Just as an aside, there is another article here which provides you with further information.
      It’s quite wordy, but if you use the index at the top, you can skip straight to the manufacturers section where you can find some views and opinions about some of the aftermarket reg/recs that are available.

      Take care,

      Grant

  2. Grant
    Thanks for your reply. According to the “your bikes charging system” its looks like my choices are the Boyer power box or the Podtronics with capacitor (I have no batt and use magneto ignition, RM21 stator). My lights started dimming down with my podtronics and now they stay dim (at all RPM). It used to go from bright to dim whenever it decided to do so. So it has to be replaced. Is there someone I can contact to help me identify my podtronics? I don’t want to get the same model.

    Its either that or Boyer.

    Thanks
    Jim

    • Hi Jim,

      Honestly? If I were in your shoes, and you have no requirement for a battery to aid starting/run an ignition system, I’d go back to a zener diode.

      The Lucas LU49345 is up to the job on the regulator side.
      The only downside of the zener is that it must be kept clean so that the connections are good.
      The Triumphs had a heatsink under the headlamp, which would be a good candidate on your featherbed.
      Other than that, they are robust and a great fit for what you are looking to do with LED lighting.

      Alternatively, you can very easily go negative earth, which opens up a plentiful supply of zener diodes for you!!!

      You may consider swapping the original rectifier for a modern equivalent.
      I recommend the KBPC3504 – they are around 5 bucks and most electronics stores have them.

      The original Lucas LU49072 (2DS506) is good, but the soldered joints on the four diodes between the cooling wafers are known for shaking apart with the vibration.

      Although you can easily repair them, and they’re good for another forty years.

      The modern equivalent is functionally identical, but the diodes are encapsulated in resin, so it is more reliable.

      Rectifier

      As a setup, this would be about as reliable as you can get, two separate components will give you better reliabilty out of each, as the heat source is kept separate.

      No battery, no capacitor, just enough parts to get you going.

    • I did a tech article sometime ago on testing your unit.

      It can be found here:
      https://granttiller.com/testing-your-motorcycle-rectifier
      Towards the bottom of the page is a PDF that you can download.
      This is useful, as it gives you the spaces to write in your test values.
      This needs to be done off the bike, as leaving it connected will upset the values.

      I published this at the time on the Access Norton forum, even though I am not on there anymore, all my old posts should still be there.

    • There are three models available, with different setpoints for different battery chemistries:

      Both AA and BB are indeed series type (also known as open type) regulator/rectifiers.

      SH775AA > 14.6v
      SH775BA > 14.4v
      SH775BB > 14.3v

      The ‘AA’ is optimum for lithium-based batteries (although is also fine for lead-acid)

  3. BA and BB are OK for lithium-based batteries, but because the charge voltage is very slightly lower, you’ll find it will shorten the life of the battery just a little.

    FH012AA is a short-type MOSFET battery – I wouldn’t personally recommend one.

    • Hmmm strange, because aftermarket R/R suitable for “lithium” batterius have setpoint 14.1v +-0.1 are you still sure about 14.6 setpoint?

      “The ideal charging voltage for Lithium batteries is 13.9-14.2VDC”

  4. Yes, I am sure.

    Lithium-based (including lithium-ion, lithium polymer, LiCoO2, lithium cobalt oxide and LiFePO4) are 3.6 volts per cell, so you should see 14.4 volts at rest.

    Compare this to Lead Acid (including gel, AGM, flooded and drycell) which are 2.1 volts per cell meaning you’ll see 12.6 volts at rest.

    For a battery to charge properly and give the longest life, the setpoint for the reg/rec should not be lower than the resting voltage of the battery.

    In Lead Acid, too low charge voltage gives sulfation – crystalisation over the plates, which will reduce the capacity.

    Lithium-based batteries are not subject to sulfation, however, charging at too lower voltage results in a more rapid cell oxidation, which again leads to a reduced capacity.

    • Got you, my bike is full led, so not so much stress on the stator, 775BA should be sufficient to charge my lithium battery.

      Thanks again for your replies.

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