When is replacement time for the Rectifier/Regulator

[birddogone]

Hey Fellas, I'm get'n ready to take a week's ride, around 1500 miles total. My Girly is running like a top, should the rectifier/regulator be replaced as a preventative measure? I am installing a new battery before the trip. Just have read about the total melt downs here and I sure as hell don't want that to happen. 
Thanks,
Rod

[yack_ass]

More experienced users will probably tell you to, measure the voltage while the motorcycle is idling, if it is above a certain value (13,7V I think) then it is safe. And that there is no real key for malfunction. Some of them go, others don't. 

[lukeman]

I think the performance degrades over time, and depending on your inclination throwing a hundred bucks at a new R/R might be worth the piece of mind.

Have you done the sasquatch mod?  I would think that as long as you are getting a good charge while its at higher revs you should be fine.  Above a couple thousand RPM you should be getting over 13.8 volts I'd imagine.  My new R/R with mosfet can hold 14.3 at high revs, but the originals output less at higher revs.  I'd just check the voltage at different RPMs and also while the bike is hot to see what its putting out.  Charge up the new battery before putting it in so you have a baseline. Should be filled up at 12.8 or .9 after its rested.  After riding for a day, the next morning you can check it and make sure the bike is keeping it full.

I replaced mine because I was barely getting 13.3 at higher revs, with heated grips on I as draining it.

Cheers.

[birddogone]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Luke I've not done the Sasquatch mod but have the maxi 30 amp fuse and wiring ready the next time the tank is off. My voltage is well over the mid 13s-14 when first started and around 13.2 running at 4000 rpms with head lights on low and a pair of 55w driving lights on.
Rod

[birddogone]

PS
Just picked up a new battery today.

[Stitch]

I think the performance degrades over time, and depending on your inclination throwing a hundred bucks at a new R/R might be worth the piece of mind.

Have you done the sasquatch mod?  I would think that as long as you are getting a good charge while its at higher revs you should be fine.  Above a couple thousand RPM you should be getting over 13.8 volts I'd imagine.  My new R/R with mosfet can hold 14.3 at high revs, but the originals output less at higher revs.  I'd just check the voltage at different RPMs and also while the bike is hot to see what its putting out.  Charge up the new battery before putting it in so you have a baseline. Should be filled up at 12.8 or .9 after its rested.  After riding for a day, the next morning you can check it and make sure the bike is keeping it full.

I replaced mine because I was barely getting 13.3 at higher revs, with heated grips on I as draining it.

Cheers.

The regulator replacement is an upgrade to a new mofset style. I decided to replace both my regulator and rectifier just before my 24k service for my piece of mind. Regulator was a no brainer (upgrade) and old rectifier coming out did not look awful so I have a couple of good working spares. Lots of threads covering the topic and lots of issues with these parts of the electrical system....right around this mileage interval. With my replacements, all wires were soldered using barrels and better than stock values (14v+) off idle. I also use a battery tender to maintain my battery and am currently installing a signal dynamics voltage monitor to keep an "eyeball" on the system. Since I could replace the parts when I wanted to, I could shop for the best deal instead on the side of the road expense.

[birddogone]

Thanks Stitch, I also have a digital voltmeter on my Girly and since I installed my new battery today my readings are a little higher than before. At Idle now I'm at 14.3 volts. Although I bought my machine used, I could swear it had the original battery in it! The old battery metered at 12.4 off the bike and the new one 12.9.
Rod