Hi guys, I need some advise. I'm in the market for a new voltage regulator, hasn't crapped out yet, but I think it might be going. HD wants around $220 for new one, I've found one at JP Cycle for about $150 or so. Anyone had any luck with an aftermarket one? Thank you

 

I am confused by your notion that your VR is good now, but "going to crap out"...what symptoms are you getting? Voltage regulators usually either fail completely or fail intermittently. Intermittent is difficult and sometimes impossible to verify without replacing it.

Your charging system is a balanced system and the failure of one component can affect the others sooner or later. The only thing you should be considering is getting a quality part that you know WILL work, not saving a few bucks. The MoCo part is a quality part that was designed and manufactured for your application...IOW, it WILL work, those aftermarket ones MIGHT work. Do you want to risk a battery and or stator to save $50?

 

Batt light/ Check engine light on intermittently. All pointing to the VR I agree with you on the quality part from MoCo, I was just curious.

 

I put a "bootleg" regulator on my 1992 FLHTCU and never looked back ... was on the road and it decided it wasn't happy and a quick fix was in order ... On another note, it's not uncommon for the plug to have connection problems at the stator ... There's an aftermarket piece that will ensure a good connection on the older scooters

 

When I was troubleshooting my bad battery problem on my Dyna, I purchased one of the cheaper aftermarket voltage regulators to shotgun. It worked fine but looked cheaper built and I just didn't trust it for the long term so I replaced it with an OEM.

 

the hd regs are chinesium. good/bad ????
the hd system is built on paper and marginal at best, not for over kill. they do last if you watch loading and battery condition.
my 01 stator went out due to burnt wire at pigtail to stator and not enough stub to reconnect, the reg is original. i do not replace unless testing verifies the need.
there are better mouse traps out there but more $$$ (sometimes) and better electronics than the hd scr & transistor types. i believe the ce unit is a good choice but the hype they put out is not solidly founded.
the system is a pmg and is fixed, it cannot be field forced like the ole fx type. they are more efficient mid range rpm. low rpm and high loads are no favors. the system will run off the reg with the battery providing short fall but long term operation does max it out.
to be honest, a b&s reg would work, about 25 bucks but it does not have protection circuits, at least i believe, haven't dissected one to be sure.

 

I went with the Cycle Electric unit about 3 yrs ago and had no issues.

 

+1 on the unit from Cycle Electric.

 

My VR crapped out a few weeks ago. I only have the 2 wire stator not the 3-phase.
I don't know what the internal differences are with the 4 JP Cycles sells
But I bought and installed the $57 one not the $150 one.
Looks stock and works fine.

 

Until it doesn't...which could be at any time.