HONDA REGULATOR RECTIFIER –
Replacement - CB-750, CB-1000, CBR-1000F, ST-1100.
(SHINDINGEN # SH261-12).
This paper looks at the options when replacing the
following;
Honda regulator rectifier Assy 31600-MS2-601
(Shindingen # SH261-12) that fits;
•
•
•
•
•
CB-750 Nighthawk 750 1991-2004
CB-1000 1994-1995
CBR-1000F (Hurricane) 1990-1996
ST-1100 1991-1995
ST-1100a ABS 1992-1995.
WARNING: This paper is only of “Reference Use” to any other bike as the
Regulator / Rectifier used here is very different to others.
Disclaimer / Attributes: The contents of this paper has been plagiarised from
many sources for the benefit of all who face this issue. Web references/credits
are given where I practically can.
Special thanks: to Shadow1 and Daniel_ARG of WWW.CBRFORUM.COM
Attached: Honda CBR1000F Service Manual Charging System Details.
Page 1 of 12
Problem
The Honda Regulator/Rectifier (R/R) as above fails more than most and has
to be replaced. What is the best solution?
Issues
1. Why is the Honda R/R above different from most other R/Rs?
2. Honda R/R fails more than most – should I keep paying for this model
when it is a known problem?
3. Is there an alternate from another bike I can use?
4. What aftermarket solutions are there?
a. Do they have better reliability?
b. Are they cheaper?
5. Are there other solutions? Do they work?
Solution
Buy
AU $160.00 Delivered to Australia.
New type RR23 - more reliable than the smaller unfinned version.
Lesley Houghton
Electrex World Limited
Tel: **44 (0)1491 682369
Fax: **44(0)1491 682286
www.electrexworld.co.uk
Page 2 of 12
Background
Motorcycles with batteries must convert the AC power from the stator into DC.
In order to do this, the power coming from the stator must be converted by a
regulator/rectifier. The rectifier actually converts the power from AC to DC,
while the regulator keeps the power level (voltage) from going above the 13.8
-14.5 volts needed to power a standard 12 volt battery. It is important that the
stator provides more power than needed by the motorcycle so that the battery
will stay charged. If the motorcycle uses more power than the stator can
provide, the battery will start to drain. This will typically happen if the voltage
drops below 13 volts.
There are many variations on the simple theme of charging the battery in the
motorcycle world. Following are the 13 major differences between charging
systems. http://home.earthlink.net/~trinomial/chgtypes.html Fortunately,
though it seems there is a confusing array, in reality, it can all be reduced to
just two basic systems -- permanent magnet and electromagnet.
The Hondas we a looking at have the following;
•
•
•
Later Three-Phase,
Electromagnet Alternator with
Combined rectifier and regulator.
Issues
1. Why is the Honda R/R above different from most other R/Rs?
R/R needs to be specification matched;
• A connector match
• A physical match – for mounting / cooling
Page 3 of 12
•
An electrical match - alternator stator to rectifier/regulator to
minimum/maximum motorcycle electrical load.
Being a Later Three-Phase, Electromagnet Alternator with Combined rectifier
and regulator; this R/R has a 6 wire connector and a separate earth to frame
by physical contact. It is thus a 7 wire R/R – not a 6 wire. The R/R has no
cooling fins by relies on the contact with the frame plate to dissipate its heat.
Issue
2. Honda R/R fails more than most – should I keep paying for this
model when it is a known problem?
Replacing the R/R with a Honda version will not overcome the overheat
problems and component underspec issues. You can endeavour to dissipate
the heat with heat sinks and fans but this is only a “band aid” solution. See
later examples at end of report.
Voltage Regulator
The only flaw I have found on this bike is the fact that the voltage rectifier/regulator runs very
hot, and it also has a tendency to overcharge the battery. I think that when the battery is no
longer in its best health, the reg tries to unsuccessfully bring up the battery's voltage so it
keeps on throwing current at it, causing it to boil over and accelerating its demise. I have had
2 batteries die of complete electrolyte exhaustion after long trips and after serious
introspection I can only attribute this to an overzealous reg.
http://gonzo-home.com/cbrmaint.htm#VoltageReg
Notice the complete lack of cooling fins (this generates huge amounts of heat - it produces
somewhere around 40amps on the output!). That is one of the primary contributors to the
failures - the inability to keep cool, and the resulting heat/cool cycle destroying the
semiconductors contained inside.
Page 4 of 12
A New R/R – what it looks like…
Page 5 of 12
A Fried R/R – What it can look like – and when
you open it up – if your interested.
Page 6 of 12
Issue
3. Is there an alternate from another bike I can use?
No. Because of the specifications listed above, no R/R from another bike will
work properly (Give the right regulated charge.) Disregard “talk” about “I can
fit a Yamaha R1 R/R” – it wont work in this case – it will however work with
Blackbirds and VFRs, but that’s another story!
Issue
4. What aftermarket solutions are there?
• See the list below
5. Do they have better reliability?
• Given the higher speced components and finned cooling they
appear to give better reliability.
6. Are they cheaper?
• Yes, Example in Australia in AU $.
• Honda OEM replacement local
$280
• Honda secondhand/used (if you can get it)
$180
• Electrex (UK) type RR23 Delivered to Australia
$160
SOLUTION LIST
Rick's Motorsport Electrics – Same as OEM – No technical benefit.
Rectifier/regulator1990-96 CBR1000F, part# 10-108. $105 US and comes
with a one year replacement warranty. Shipping charges to Australia = $10
US.
http://www.ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/index.php?c=partLookup
Amanda Shaw, PR & Marketing Coordinator
Rick's Motorsport Electrics, Inc.
30 Owens Ct. #2
Hampstead, NH 03841
603-329-9901
www.ricksmotorsportelectrics.com
Page 7 of 12
Same as OEM – No technical benefit.
1990-1996 HONDA 1000/ CBR1000F REGULATOR RECTIFIER $94.99
http://www.regulatorrectifier.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywo
rds=CBR1000F&x=7&y=9
http://www.regulatorrectifier.com/catalog/index.php
Email: info@regulatorrectifier.com
Telephone: (916) 799-4327
RM STATOR
$ 99.00 usd
http://www.rmstator.com/index.php/Motorcycles/Honda/CBR1000F/CBR_1000
F_Regulator_Rectifier/232
RM STATOR - 3033 ch. Audet, Ayer's Cliff Québec Canada, J0B 1C0
1-877-838-1399 or 819-838-1395
seany@rmstator.com
Page 8 of 12
ElectroSport Industries
Honda CBR/ST Regulator/Rectifier Part Number: ESR230
OEM Part Number(s): 31600-MS2-601, 31600-MB0-008
A quality regulator/rectifier that replaces the OE Honda part. Power handling is superior, and
the part is designed to be a plug in replacement. This unit feeds the field coil in the alternator
that is mounted behind the cylinder block. When the alternator field coil fails (quite often
actually, and its resistance then drops to less than 1 Ohm) it usually takes out the OE
regulator/rectifier too. This new ESR230 has an overtemp safety device preventing failures
like this. We have incorporated a heatsink that gets rid of internal heat to the housing quickly
and efficiently, making for a very reliable unit. The part comes with a full one year warranty.
Price: $99.00
ElectroSport Industries 3803 Oceanic Drive, Suite 201, Oceanside, CA
92056, USA
PH:
1-888-369-8359
info@electrosport.com
Page 9 of 12
Electrex World Limited
AU $160.00 Delivered to Australia.
New type RR23 - more reliable than the smaller unfinned version like this
Lesley Houghton, Electrex World Limited
Tel: **44 (0)1491 682369 Fax: **44(0)1491 682286 www.electrexworld.co.uk
Page 10 of 12
Issue
7. Are there other solutions? Do they work?
1. Here an earlier R/R has been fitted to a 92 CBR1000F.
HONDA CBR1000F REGULATOR RECTIFIER 87-90
http://www.espel.com.ar/index.php?setidioma=en
ESPEL S.A.I.C.A is an Argentinean company dedicated to manufactures and develop
electromechanical and electrical original and modes – motorcycles – scooter parts.
http://www.cbrforum.com/m_483585/mpage_3/key_/tm.htm
Page 11 of 12
2. Examples of heatsinking and electric fan cooling.
Page 12 of 12