Hitchcocks Forum

G'day folks,

I have an interesting dilemma... ordered a Powerbox from our hosts for my 1999 home market Bullet 500, which had a double reg/rec set-up, as you will remember. I asked previously advice for wiring this up, Norm was kind enough to give me his verdict which I have every faith in.

Now here is the situation: I ordered the Powerbox last Monday and hoped it would arrive on Tues or Wed at latest; however it came on Friday and I didn't open the package until lat e Fri evening, after Hitchcocks had closed.

This is what I received:


Is this the real Powerbox with the wrong label on it?

The wires are right as per this picture:


And here is what the micro-mkiv looks like (note different wires and chassis):


What do you think? I think I have received the right product (the box it came in said it was a Powerbox) with the wrong label! I really want to fit it today and sort my charging out, although could wait until tomorrow and speak to Hitchcocks... who will probably want me to return it, then send me another, and that means another week of bloody trains...

Advice is always appreciated!
Cheers,
Peter.
If the pics don't show I will post them again.

Hi Peter - the Powerbox is larger and has a steel case, the electronic ignition MKIV is small in a plastic case. I think you've got the Powerbox with a wrong label!

Peter
That looks like an electronic igniton kit to me not a regulator/rectifier replacement.

Thanks gents - so far we have a vote in either direction... I need one more favourable opinion and I will get myself out in the garden and fit it. What's the worst thing that could happen? (!)

I fitted a powerbox a few weeks ago and it looks the same as the one in your photo with the same cable colours. 2 yellow connect to the alternator and red and black output. The label is wrong.

Hello PETER 53,---------- my, that's an interesting one !! I fitted a POWER BOX (Obtained from our hosts) a few years back and it definitely looked like your sample photograph ie with the pressed steel body, yellow wires etc.... I remember it very well because I made some "resilient" mountings for it using partially compressed Bulkhead grommets with it mounted in the R/H toolbox. I also had an electronic ignition fitted to my Honda CB750 single cam which looked as per your sample photo as well. YEP!!! looks like a Mis-labeling there...... BUT, as you say---- our hosts will want it returned with the yellow Returns Notice, such that they can then return it to Boyers from whence it came..... Get it in the post first thing Mon. morning with a back-up phone call to Mr.H so they will be expecting it. Draw their attention to this thread as well..... Problem now is }------ You just might get to LIKE trains, what with the cold weather and all !!!!!

Hi Peter, If I was in your situation I would fit the power box as we all know how the wiring goes EG. yellow wires to the alt. and the black and red wires are the 12v feed. then I would draw the correct wiring diagram and either stick it over the wrong label or keep it with the documents. This would save postage/ time and would be a quick fix. If you wanted the proper label you could give the manufacturer a call Im sure they would send you the correct label for free if you explained. Go on bite the Bullet and fit it
Regards alan

My two pence worth: It looks like a power box to me. I have them on both of my Bullets. I'd go ahead and fit it.

Thanks for your replies - the bullet has been bitten! It is fitted, and all I gotta do now is test the output from the battery. I had a noticeable negative deflection on the ammeter when I switched my lights on before (with the 2 rec/regs), and no increase in headlight brightness with increase in revs. Now I have zero deflection on the ammeter with the Powerbox fitted, and headlight gets noticeably brighter with a bit of revs. Is this normal? One thing that needs addressing now is the lighting switch and circuit - before I had independent control of lighting with ignition on, now I only get lights while motor is running. This ain't a problem, just wondered why this is and have I wired the Powerbox correctly. In any case I'm off for a quick spin now!

OK, back from a little run up the road, and apart from a couple of engine cut-outs (I think this is unrelated, probably loose fuse connections) it runs, I have lights and I'm happy! Will see how it performs during the week. Cheers again gents.