Installing a mini rectifier to keep fan from draining battery
- Thread starter ULEWZ
- Start date
Stickeyed 
You make the threads, and I'll move them to the FAQ.
You make the threads, and I'll move them to the FAQ.onelugnut;2600:
I tired that, and I never seemed to hit the switch until it was too late. It also still drains the battery, where this method does not. the problem is mainly when going slow since the existing rectifier doesn't supply any juice to the battery at this low RPM and the battery is powering the fan. The little rectifier powers the fan directly and as the voltage goes down due to low RPMs, all that happens is the fan turns slower, but still fast enough to cool things. The battery never enters into this equation. This is not the only method to keep a battey from being drained, the Higher capacity rectifier also works, but costs way more and requires more work. I did a lot of research on this method before trying it and after a couple of years, it still works great and my battery has not gone flat since.
my bike is set up this way too. I have a PC fan on each rad, works well. i was too stupid to do the elec part tho and got help.
wow ulewz, mike in fresno, onelugnut, lots of good ole guys from TT on here, hopefully without the knuckleheads...lol
the only part of that great report i dont get is...what is in the tygon tubing for dirt protection? i get the tubing idea to make a dirt free cover, but what is it covering?
what is inside that tube? just a spade connector, or some kind of diode?
nice to see eveybody again btw
the only part of that great report i dont get is...what is in the tygon tubing for dirt protection? i get the tubing idea to make a dirt free cover, but what is it covering?
what is inside that tube? just a spade connector, or some kind of diode?
nice to see eveybody again btw
If you add a small electrolytic capacitor to the DC side the fans will run better. Some of them can have issues with the pulsating DC that the rectifier makes. A capacitor will smooth those pulsations out to a more smooth DC voltage. I'd try a 1000 microfarad 25 volt electrolytic. You should be able to get that at Radio Shack as well. If you are running a more powerful real motorcycle rad fan a larger capacitor will help.
Most fans will run without the capacitor, but all will run better with it.
I wrap most bullet or spade connections with a little electrical tape. It keeps them from coming apart while riding. Perhaps not so important on a fan, but it is on the ignition or lighting.
Most fans will run without the capacitor, but all will run better with it.
I wrap most bullet or spade connections with a little electrical tape. It keeps them from coming apart while riding. Perhaps not so important on a fan, but it is on the ignition or lighting.
for me.