re-building or replacing a rectifier.. any suggestions

[edward]

  A few months ago I disassembled the silenium rectifier on my DT 175. I had no idea what it was or did. I tried removing all of the rust and dirt with a wire wheel on a corless drill but it was still pretty much a mess. I have tried to re-assembled it but I have no idea if I did it right or if it will ever work again. Some folks say the silenium is very poisonous, others say there isn't enough in the rectifier to do any harm unless you work with it everyday for months. I don't know. Does anyone know how to check them after re-furbishing? OR if there is a suitable replacement part for it?
               Thanks, in advance, to all you great supporters!!

[Bikenstein]

All a rectifier does is change ac to dc current by using diodes that allow current to  flow one direction and not back. If you have a meter,especially with a diode tester, there are demonstrations on you tube of tests. Would elaborate but gotta go. Good luck 

[reed]

edward,
If you have done your test on rectifier and its defective e mail BSorion he is a member and he can tell you where to get aftermarket
One,he has replaced one on his Bridgestone 200 and if for some reason you need help  i will gladly test it for you.
Thanks.
Steve.

[Toystoretom]

Oh good gravy...you're gonna make me go look....

Ha... I found it:

Radio Shack 276-1185

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier

25 amp  50 Peak Volts

Ya just can't screw this up, look at the diagram on the back, self explanatory. Will handle more than the Bridgestone alternator will ever put out, much more efficient so you actually get more electrons out of the deal and it's probably at your local Radio Shack right now for less than $5.

Tomo

[rocketman]

 Reed, I have a 175 that I had to make a wiring harness for. Everything works, there is a new battery in place and all grounds, sockets and bulbs were checked during assembly. Bike runs great, but starts to roll off a bit when lighting the brake lamp. When you bring the lighting circuit in the bike stumbles and would quit if not picked up on the rpms. All headlamp functions and tail lamp/brake functions are working. I have not yet checked it out but want to get back to it in the next few days. Could this simply be the rectifyer failing to convert? Test by volt meter across battery? Look elsewhere?

[reed]

Mark,
I always check the battery voltage first, then i test the rectifier and if that passes check the wiring.
Let me know how you go on.
Thanks.
Steve.

[reed]

Tom
Thanks for the information.
Steve.

[BSOrion]

Yep, they work pretty well (much more efficient) and as Tom points out, they only cost a few duckets.  Only issue is that this type only have 2 A/C inputs where your generator is 3-phase.  So, you can either pick the strongest two and shelf one or use two rectifiers.  Or, you can spend the dough on one that has 3 A/C inputs.  I've seen them for around $40-75.

Best, Orion

[scrambler]

If you want to go the double radio shack rectifier this should help you out.

[Steve S.]

Thanks Kevin.  I was just about to ask someone for this schematic.

[OldSwartout]

You do NEED the third charging circuit hooked up.  It is switched into the system when you turn on the headlight.  There isn't enough power generated otherwise and your battery will gradually lose power while riding with the lights on.  All three charging windings in the alternator are identical, so none will be stronger than the others.

[edward]

Thanks for the feed back! I thought it had gotten buried.

[Steve S.]

I went ahead and decided to build one of these from the plan that was posted here.  I spent a grand total of $7.45 at Radio Shack for the two Full-Wave Bridge Rectifiers.  I had the aluminum heat sink materail from a previous project.  Also had the wire, connectors, and heat shrink, from previous projects.
I decide to include different mounting holes, since I'm not sure exactly where it will be mounted.  I left plenty of lead on the wire too. 
The measurements are as follows:  Length 2-7/8"  Height 1-5/8"  Width (thickness) 2"

Let's see some pictures of mounting locations if anyoone has already constructed and mounted one of these.

[moonpup]

Just a followup question since I know absolutely nothing about these things.

Can they be "cosmetically" cleaned up/refurbished without doing any harm to the unit? Assuming mine is functionally good but just dirty and aged, can it be cleaned up and repainted or will the paint have some negative effect on it. Is the "blue" that is on it some kind of special coating or is it just paint?

[Bikenstein]

Don't know what you are capable of. Just don't chrome plate it!

[BSOrion]

Folks,

If you are trying to use an OEM rectifier and it is actually functional, I wouldn't try to recondition it except to clean it with something non-abrasive.  I seem to remember that they are all painted to keep them from rusting; however, one of the sides is coated with selenium which you may end up removing and I also remember reading about it being hazardous.  The OEMs are rarely functional from my experience as I tried 3-used ones with no joy.  Again, if it works just go with it... they're out of site on most of these bikes.

Best of luck! Orion

[Bikenstein]

I wouldn't advise much cleaning on the rectifier plates because they are coated with different materials including selenium for functional purposes. It would be much better to convert to a silicon rectifier setup as described previously because of the low current capacity of a selenium rectifier. You will get a hotter spark at the plugs and better charging. Same voltage-better current. About replacing with nos, a selenium rectifier can lose it's properties sittin on the shelf for a long time. As a side thought, it might be a good idea after a conversion to check your spark plugs and determine if you should go to a colder plug.

[moonpup]

Thanks Gentlemen, looks like my GTO won't be 100 percent stock after all.   

[Cycleeric]

Nice find and I will be hitting the local Radio Shack tomorrow and build one of these for my 175 since the last owner tried to rebuild the stocker and Im not sure it's working. This will be a better and more efficient set up

[Colin]

cheap enough at this price

http://www.amazon.com/Amico-1000V-Phase-Bridge-Rectifier/dp/B00A74HHT6/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1THAZDOWP300U&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1368292601&sr=1-1&keywords=Amico+SQL+100A+Amp+1000V+3+Phase+Diode