How hot does the Rectifier Get?

[Mickirig1]

My problem child ski has a rectifier that is so hot you can't put your hand on it. Is this normal? It has a month old battery.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Not that hot,,, There is a great chance that the backside is melted which is a normal result of a rectifier failing. If you want to try something first, run a separate ground to the mounting bolt area AND if it were mine, I would splice into the ground wire that feeds the rectifier. The rectifier seems to lose it ground often and it takes on a huge load as a result. The reason I would add grounds even if it were new is, if you have other ground issue that means the engine will start to use the rectifier ground. This is not desirable as the rectifier REALLY needs a good ground.

 

[LouDoo]

Another thing you might want to try is: the rectifier is mounted on a head sink, try putting some heat sink compound (from Radio Shack) between the rectifier and the heat sink, if you do this definitely make sure the rectifier is grounded.

Lou

 

[Mickirig1]

The engine ground and Rectifier's are fine. I cleaned and dielectric greased them anyway. Look's like the rectifier is dieing!