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[Howzie]

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Came across the old rectifier unit in the garage the other day, wasn’t able to confirm if it was in working order, as the bike wasn’t, the old Clipper was in a right mess when I got hold of it.
Dug out an old A.C. mains bell transformer, bit of wiring, hooked up some electrickery & bingo it still works after 54 years.

Now I was thinking of stripping it down, scrape off a bit rust, try a bit of paint etc, then put it back on the bike as it would have been in 1959
But I have a nagging doubt that I should leave well alone, if it an’t broke don’t fix it. Any views Lads!

Howzie

[simon]

If you have a more modern voltage regulation setup I'd definitely leave well alone. The trouble with a plate rectifier like the one pictured is that whilst it does an excellent job of converting an AC current to a DC one it doesn't regulate the voltage. You then either need to fit a Zener diode or re institute the crude and marginally effective switched output system which generally results in shorter battery life. A modern reg/rectifier setup is such a substantial advantage as to override any joys of originality IMHO. Strange really how the replacement of old fashioned generators and humming coil regulators with alternators was initially at least a bit of a retrograde step.

[PeteF]

Second Simon here. Modern electrics are much better (well, good quality ones are)

[PeteF]

Hang on, didn't those old mains bell transformers rectify as well?
Just a thought in the back of my mind.

[Paulk]

I didn't think there was any difference between 12V and 6V recifiers and can you get 6V zenor diodes?

[simon]

A quick Google suggests that a 6v Zener diode is indeed available and a rectifier is simply a device that converts AC to DC regardless of voltage although I imagine that amperage would be a serious issue.

[Paulk]

Well I never, apparently the world of pin ball machines can indeed supply 6V zenor diodes, and agreed how well an old recifier would cope who knows. But if it were match to the original alternator you would expect the same "power" output, be that 6 or 12V. But I also agree change to 12V with modern kit every time.

[Howzie]

Hi Lads, Thanks for your reply's, I should have mentioned that my Clipper is not from the Bullet range of machines, mine is a 1959 250cc unit construction model similar to the Crusader and is not fitted with a voltage regulator as such. The alternator has 3 output levels, 1st level supply's the ignition, a small charge for the battery, horn & stop light. 2nd level as per 1st but with side lights, & 3rd level as per 1st & 2nd also headlight & main beam.

When I finished the restoration I had fitted a bridge rectifier in the tool box & it works fine, but I was thinking of fitting the old rectifier to keep the original look of the machine, but keeping the bridge rectifier in place just in case.

Cheers.

[simon]

Yes Howzie the Bullets of the same era had the same set up. The problem is that it charges whether you need it or not and usually rather to fiercely. I got tired of the battery boiling dry on the Bitsa so fitted a modern solid state reg/rec suitable for a 6V system. I don't need it for ignition as I have a magneto but my lights are lovely and bright and the battery requires about 10% of the previous maintenance.