Fried voltage regulator!
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Fried voltage regulator!
Was out riding today. At stop sign noticed smoke coming from front of bike. Upon looking further, it was the voltage regulator. Quite a bit of smoke coming from it. Wires from the stator to the regulator were quite hot! After shutting off, bike would not restart. Wouldn't even turn over. 1998 Dyna Superglide w/ 21,000 miles, always kept in basement. Please note: prior to riding, bike was on battery tender jr. for approximately 24 hours and I washed it about 1 hour prior to ride. What are the possible causes of a "fried" voltage regulator? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Sometimes they just go bad. Sometimes a short somewhere else will take them out. Go through my guide
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/7049417-post2.html
and check the stator. We already know the regulator is shot because you let the smoke out.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/7049417-post2.html
and check the stator. We already know the regulator is shot because you let the smoke out.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Magic smoke! LOL!
I recommend you go to your local H-D dealer and get a Genuine H-D regulator for about a Hunnid Dollahs! The one on Bertha lasted 15 YEARS before I finally had to replace it about 6 weeks ago... after an embarrassing 40-mile tow truck ride home when the battery lost enough juice to no longer be able to run the bike after the regulator failed. I put a new Genuine H-D regulator on in about 30 minutes, and all is well again.
Normally, nothing will burn out a regulator except an internal failure in the regulator itself. The regulator's purpose is to take the varying level of AC voltage coming from the stator (typically 16-20 VAC for each 1000 RPM), and feed a constant metered voltage to the battery to keep it charged but not burn it up.
I recommend you go to your local H-D dealer and get a Genuine H-D regulator for about a Hunnid Dollahs! The one on Bertha lasted 15 YEARS before I finally had to replace it about 6 weeks ago... after an embarrassing 40-mile tow truck ride home when the battery lost enough juice to no longer be able to run the bike after the regulator failed. I put a new Genuine H-D regulator on in about 30 minutes, and all is well again.
Normally, nothing will burn out a regulator except an internal failure in the regulator itself. The regulator's purpose is to take the varying level of AC voltage coming from the stator (typically 16-20 VAC for each 1000 RPM), and feed a constant metered voltage to the battery to keep it charged but not burn it up.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: N.E. Ohio
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 7
Magic smoke! LOL!
I recommend you go to your local H-D dealer and get a Genuine H-D regulator for about a Hunnid Dollahs! The one on Bertha lasted 15 YEARS before I finally had to replace it about 6 weeks ago... after an embarrassing 40-mile tow truck ride home when the battery lost enough juice to no longer be able to run the bike after the regulator failed. I put a new Genuine H-D regulator on in about 30 minutes, and all is well again.
Normally, nothing will burn out a regulator except an internal failure in the regulator itself. The regulator's purpose is to take the varying level of AC voltage coming from the stator (typically 16-20 VAC for each 1000 RPM), and feed a constant metered voltage to the battery to keep it charged but not burn it up.
I recommend you go to your local H-D dealer and get a Genuine H-D regulator for about a Hunnid Dollahs! The one on Bertha lasted 15 YEARS before I finally had to replace it about 6 weeks ago... after an embarrassing 40-mile tow truck ride home when the battery lost enough juice to no longer be able to run the bike after the regulator failed. I put a new Genuine H-D regulator on in about 30 minutes, and all is well again.
Normally, nothing will burn out a regulator except an internal failure in the regulator itself. The regulator's purpose is to take the varying level of AC voltage coming from the stator (typically 16-20 VAC for each 1000 RPM), and feed a constant metered voltage to the battery to keep it charged but not burn it up.
There are lots of things that can impact the reg/rec, and cause it to burn out.
If you just replace the item, then it could happen all over again. AND QUICKLY.
Even if the stator still appears to be ok, it is almost certain that there will be some damage, and that things could get expensive again.
You need to check it all out really well, before you buy anything.
If your battery is a bit sad, the reg/rec is no longer servicing a really good battery. It is designed to supply only a trickle type charge. If it has to prop up a dying battery, it will feel the pain. Remember, volts and amps are in direct inverse proportion.
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