Podtronics regulator on a 305

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:22 pm

Some time back, I asked if it would benefit to put a rectifier/regulator on my CL77. I was thinking something like a Podtronics or Tympanium. The reply was that it would probably rob more energy from the already weak system and be of no true value to the bike.

Since then, I've installed one Podtronics on a vintage T120R Triumph and have a Tympanium on a '65 A65C BSA. I got lucky and stumbled across a NIB Podtronics at a place going out of business and decided to try it on my CL77. Today, I sent an email to Bob Kizer, the creator of the Podtronics to ask him if it would reduce the output of my system. To my astonishment, about a half hour later, my phone rang and it was Bob. We had a great conversation and bottom line is the Podtronics has no more negative effect on the output of the 305 charging system than the installation of a silicone rectifier.

I could not believe he called me so quickly, let alone it being Easter Sunday. In the conversation Bob said he's only had one unit fail in all the years he's made them. And that one was on a BSA Gold start which had been retrofitted with a 180 watt alternator and still ran the mag for ignition. So the Podtronics which was made for a 120 watt alternator was taking the full output of the alternator and the owner had installed it inside his toolbox and was running the bike in Southern CA. Bob said it simply cooked itself.

So, we'll see how this works on my CL77 with what I'd describe as a somewhat tired battery.

regards,
Rob

bonjour · Post by **bonjour** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:00 pm

A reg/rec is indeed the way to go, no doubt about that.

I haven't any trouble on my CB77 with just a silicone rec. but if I even going to change that, there sure will be at least a reg and rec in the system. Or the 2 in 1 version, the reg/rec.

But in my humble opinion, I probably would go for the, a seperate reg. and rec. because in my experience recifiers never fail, while the regulators are more sensitive, so especially and on old bike with 'so so' electrics, I would like to keep things seperate, to check things it's easier, and it's also cheaper. Because reg/rec's can be pretty expensive.

So if anything fails, you can just replace the regulator or the recifier.

Most important thing is to keep it very cool, my rec. sits on a huge aluminium cooling plate.

And also, everything on the bike it connected seperatly to ground ! im taking no chances with my bike, electric problems are the most frustrating problems. So better overdo it then underdo it for a reliable ride.

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:41 pm

The reason I wanted to upgrade from my new silicone rectifier to a rect/reg system is because I nearly boiled my battery dry one season. I ran two giros with the bike and flogged it about the countryside in between. I've never boiled a battery seriously before and when I pulled the battery at the end of the season, it was way down on electrolyte.

This year will show me if the reg piece makes a difference.

Regarding cost, not sure what you would pay in Holland, but a Podtronics here in the US is about a $50 item. And as Bob mentioned, he's only had one fail as long as he's been making them. They are made primarily to go on British bikes with alternators. But he said they have found their way on to many various marks and all have done well.

He said that the internals consist of a silicone rectifiers like we all use to upgrade our selenium units, and a thyristor circuit that clips the tops off of the charging circuit when the voltage reaches 14.5 vdc. Pretty simple set-up.

regards.
Rob

SWARDLAW · Post by **SWARDLAW** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:49 am

I just made a 50 mile ride yesterday after installing the reg/rect. made by Kohler engine company. After reading a post on this site about the Kohler part I thought why not give it a try. I just bought a new AGM battery and didn't want to over load it with non regulated volts. The ride went great. The regulator stayed cool and the bike has never ran better. Even my newly added bar end signals and usuing the headlight it never had a voltage issue. The cost of the regulater on Ebay was just $20.00 for a new part.

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:28 am

I'm using a Podtronics on my CB77 with no issues so far. The battery shows a constant 12.87 VDC when the engine is running, even with the lights on, so I'm guessing that is the voltage the regulator is set for. I have it mounted on the tabs the original rectifier was mounted on. I made a L bracket out of a piece of aluminum and attached the Podtronics to it. It gets plenty of air circulation there, so I'm not too concerned with it frying itself. So far so good, and I'm happy with it!