What is a Regulator Rectifier?

The electricity produced by a stator cannot be used directly. Its voltage might be too high for the electrical system, and it comes out as AC current when most of the electronical components require DC current. Every electrical system needs both a regulator and a rectifier to make the current suitable for the electrical system. Most of the time, the regulator and rectifier are combined into a single unit that we conveniently call a regulator rectifier.

The Rectifier

The rectifier takes the AC current produced by the stator and converts it to DC current. Most electrical components on any powersport vehicle use DC current, so the use of a rectifier is mandatory.

The Regulator

A stator produces current of varying voltage depending on the motor’s revolution. The faster it turns, the higher the voltage; it can even go up to 120 volts at full throttle. To be well charged, a battery needs a constant voltage of 14.4 volts. Less than 14.4 volts and it won’t charge, more will boil it. The regulator is there to keep that big voltage down by sending extra voltage to ground in order to keep it to the desired 14.4 volts.