Voltage Regulator

J

John Cingel

Member
Hey Everyone, Had a question about voltage regulator install. A pin on my old regulator plug was a little burnt from an arc so i changed it this year. I also added the plug cover to hold it in place at the stator so I wouldn't have to wory about it getting burned up again. This required flipping the plug around. Went for a ride This Past Sunday and it would seem the voltage regulator is not working because my battery got fried. It was smoking hot and leaking acid all over. Does flipping the plug have anything to do with it or is it just a bad regulator. The Regulator is the factory chrome one purchased from Big Dog. Thanks
 
Mikeinjersey

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
John Cingel said:
Hey Everyone, Had a question about voltage regulator install. A pin on my old regulator plug was a little burnt from an arc so i changed it this year. I also added the plug cover to hold it in place at the stator so I wouldn't have to wory about it getting burned up again. This required flipping the plug around. Went for a ride This Past Sunday and it would seem the voltage regulator is not working because my battery got fried. It was smoking hot and leaking acid all over. Does flipping the plug have anything to do with it or is it just a bad regulator. The Regulator is the factory chrome one purchased from Big Dog. Thanks
Click to expand...
Most, if not all, BigDogs have a fuse or a Circuit Breaker between the VR and the Battery in order to protect the Battery from an over-current from the VR. It sounds like you had a major league short. It's possible the short is unrelated to the VR. The battery was most likely protected from the VR unless you connected the VR directly to the battery when you installed it.
Replace the battery and look for burnt wires which may have been the source of the short. Batteries can internally short without an outside cause as well.
Did your bike ever run successfully after you installed the new parts? Do you know what the charging voltage was after your work?
 
Rottweiler

Rottweiler

Well-Known Member
That is a circuit breaker. It's a little confusing because the pin marked Batt. needs to be wired to the VR ( line side ) and the other pin ( load side ) gets hooked to the battery. When I first looked at mine I thought the previous owner wired it wrong. I replaced it with a inline fuse. A fuse will open with current flow from either side. Also a fuse can be replace at any auto store.
 
Jwooky

Jwooky

Well-Known Member
Lot of guessing going on.

Take your time and diagnose the issue. Measure the voltage at the battery with and without it running. The VR grounds through the case, so ensure it’s tight, and clean under it.

Batteries can also internally short on their own too.
 
Mikeinjersey

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
John Cingel said:
I have not. I have to get a volt meter. Electric is definitely not my strong suit. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
When you get the meter read the basic hook up for the leads. Red will be for volts and black will be for common ground. After connecting the leads to the meter and setting it to read volts put the Red lead on the + (positive) side of the battery and the black lead to the - (negative). The reading on the meter should be 12.8 volts dc for a fully charged battery. Leave the leads connected and start the bike and rev it a little. It should read 13.8 vdc but not over 14.8.
This guide will help you understand and troubleshoot the charging system .

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com
 
Mikeinjersey

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
Keep in mind the " flipping the plug " that you did could very well be the issue. If you can put it back to original position I think it would be best. That is an AC voltage on that plug and I'm not sure how flipping it would effect the VR. but you can't go wrong with original. Contact https://www.wildsteedworx.com/ or https://www.bigdogpartskingpin.com/ They will usually have the correct answers and the bonus of having the correct parts you need.
 
J

Jason M Austin

Member
Rottweiler said:
That is a circuit breaker. It's a little confusing because the pin marked Batt. needs to be wired to the VR ( line side ) and the other pin ( load side ) gets hooked to the battery. When I first looked at mine I thought the previous owner wired it wrong. I replaced it with a inline fuse. A fuse will open with current flow from either side. Also a fuse can be replace at any auto store.
Click to expand...
I also had heard that but my ‘07 Mastiff is currently wired gold post to battery and silver post to VR. I’m replacing my circuit breaker because it won’t reset after battery ground cable broke at the connection (I’m assuming from years of vibration). I sent an email to Big Dog tech support, they instructed me that gold post does indeed go to battery and silver post to VR. So I don’t know. Why would Big Dog say it goes the opposite way? Help! Which way do I install???
 
Rottweiler

Rottweiler

Well-Known Member
I just goggle it here is what I found.

FITMENT IS FOR BIG DOG MODELS 2005-2011.
THIS BREAKER HAS A NARROW BASE AND MARKED WITH "AUX" AND "BAT". This is a one way Circuit Breaker for proper setup "AUX" or Silver Post should be wired to the Battery and "BAT" or gold post should be wired to VR to protect the battery from any VR overcharging issue


www.bigdogpartskingpin.com

BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES auto reset CIRCUIT BREAKER most 2003-2011 MODELS N

BRAND NEW...........BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES UPDATED AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKER KIT w/ NUTS AND WASHERS. PART # 173-000015-00. FITMENT IS FOR BIG DOG MODELS 2003-2011. THIS BREAKER HAS A NARROW BASE AND MARKED WITH "AUX" AND "BAT". *** Please look at pictures - we also sell 2 breakers with tabs...
www.bigdogpartskingpin.com www.bigdogpartskingpin.com
 
Jwooky

Jwooky

Well-Known Member
Said differently to understand. Typically the battery “Bat” is the source and the device “Aux” is what you’re trying to protect.

This is a unique case where the VR is providing the power “Bat” and the battery is what you are protecting “Aux”.

All that said, it dosent make a lot of difference. They will trip in either direction, but it a little faster Bat to Aux. (Try it)

They will get weak over time, and they are cheap, so not a bad idea to replace if questionable. Absolutely no need to hack up wiring for a mega fuse.
 
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