relocate the voltage regulator
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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first and foremost: THAT REGULATOR MUST BE GROUNDED AND IT IS DONE VIA THE REGULATOR CASE! some actually add a redundant ground wire. all the inners are ref's to the engine ground.
yes it does need air flow but as far as lead length, probably does not matter with the short options in mounting.
you are correct in that the reg shunts AC and not DC, however, that is ONLY if the protection circuit in service, other than that the system load takes care of it and if the circuit is not biased on, NOTHING is shunted to ground.
that said, not a whole lot of it is shunted since ac current is way less than dc current.
if you are a decent rider and do not like the high rev riding style, you will rarely see the protection circuit kick in, the hd system is a PMG and has a sweet spot range where the mfg sets the parameters. too low and low output but too high, the pmg will saturate where voltage climbs and the amperage tumbles. hd needs to upgrade their system but $$$$$ so they will not so rice and others leave them in the dust. for two years (1974>5) hd used a hybrid alternator that actually controlled the output via excitation like an alternator on a car.
yes it does need air flow but as far as lead length, probably does not matter with the short options in mounting.
you are correct in that the reg shunts AC and not DC, however, that is ONLY if the protection circuit in service, other than that the system load takes care of it and if the circuit is not biased on, NOTHING is shunted to ground.
that said, not a whole lot of it is shunted since ac current is way less than dc current.
if you are a decent rider and do not like the high rev riding style, you will rarely see the protection circuit kick in, the hd system is a PMG and has a sweet spot range where the mfg sets the parameters. too low and low output but too high, the pmg will saturate where voltage climbs and the amperage tumbles. hd needs to upgrade their system but $$$$$ so they will not so rice and others leave them in the dust. for two years (1974>5) hd used a hybrid alternator that actually controlled the output via excitation like an alternator on a car.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Hope you don't mind @WesA but we have a expert and I have a question and clarification in my understanding is correct...
First this was said...
NOTHING is shunted to ground.
that said, not a whole lot of it is shunted since AC current is way less than DC current.
Note current.. not voltage.. that's the key there for understanding.
Also for understanding since battery DC also uses frame.
A single conductor or wire , or frame in this can carry both AC and DC simultaneously, a concept known as a DC offset or superimposed signal.
While two conductors are required to complete a circuit loop, DC voltage can be superimposed onto an AC signal (or vice-versa) to power devices or transmit signals on one line.
Now questions. bustert @bustert protection circuit kick in? How are you referring you see that.
AI says it's controlled by rapped on/off shunting. You sorta imply you can see that.
..
First this was said...
NOTHING is shunted to ground.
that said, not a whole lot of it is shunted since AC current is way less than DC current.
Note current.. not voltage.. that's the key there for understanding.
Also for understanding since battery DC also uses frame.
A single conductor or wire , or frame in this can carry both AC and DC simultaneously, a concept known as a DC offset or superimposed signal.
While two conductors are required to complete a circuit loop, DC voltage can be superimposed onto an AC signal (or vice-versa) to power devices or transmit signals on one line.
Now questions. bustert @bustert protection circuit kick in? How are you referring you see that.
AI says it's controlled by rapped on/off shunting. You sorta imply you can see that.
..
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 5, 2026 at 03:48 PM.
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