Compufire R/R install wrap - up on a 5th gen (finally)

Compufire 5th gen install wrap up -

-- reference the previous thread(s)

A 5th gen Compufire R/R adventure

Just Installed a compufire series regulator

For background and pics on hows and whys, pros & cons on this - to start -check the "adventure" thread. -The "Just installed" thread would be good too.

Since this ended up pic heavy I thought I would do a separate wrap up thread for the install. M’be it would help for other gens……

--- As per the normal hazard of being a geek foole, I research the hooey outta things and it takes 4x longer than expected. Finally, I got this frickn thing done.

So, here's the stuff.. :rolleyes: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Didn’t like the stock included Weather Pack 20 amp connectors, so I dumped it and bumped it up to a Metri-Pack 280 rated at 30 amps. It looks ok, but if I ever do a stator, I’m bumping that to a Metri-Pack 630 set.

Connector stocker (green) and up grade (orange) [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

The mount holes on the OEM R/R is 80mm and the CF is 3.25 inch or 82.55, so a little work with a rat tail file and the sub-frame plate is good to go. Also the slots on the alum “heat” plate need to be opened up on one end, tin snips make quick work.

Sub Frame mount and Alum heatplate [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]


I liked the fuse holder with 8 gauge wire from my VFRness better than the included one from CF and set that one aside. I crimped a butt connector for the pos lead to the fuse holder and added heavy duty crimp ring terminals for battery connection. Used some 1 “ shrink wrap to tie it together. (Both the pos and neg leads are like 3 feet and need to be cut down)

Vfrness fuse box - 8 gauge wire
  [image: Posted Image]

R/R rewire rework before bike install - HD battery ring terminals used [image: Posted Image]


A goofy detail, since I was going straight to the battery, I wanted to seal up the stocker power plug for the OEM R/R. I stole the mating connector from the VFRness and had some fun with liquid tape on both connectors and then hit it with more 1 inch heat shrink. No water is going there…
[image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

The stator wires on the CF R/R are short. I fooled around with a few positions on the mounting position to bring the wires closer so that the R/R wires and the stator leads could connect up, but was hitting body work. So, screw it, back to stock mount and adding extensions to the stator wires.

Stator wire extensions – metri pack crimp terminals and seals, connector assembled. [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

I’m fairly anal about neat and sano routing of parts where I can be on wires, brake lines, etc. So I used copious amounts of shrink tubing, split loom, electric tape, zip ties, and stick down posts wherever it could benefit. I like to try to make it look factory.


Positive lead with split loom added
  [image: Posted Image]


Ready to button up [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

Underseat with negative lead to battery and stick downs for wire route [image: Posted Image]

Hey – it works just like its supposed to -- – 14.0 at idle at the voltmeter
[image: Posted Image]

I’m getting 14.1 at the battery direct with a multi-meter at idle, 14.33 at 5000 rpm, 14.33 at 9500 rpm, held steady for about 10 seconds, and 14.33 volts with several bumps to red line. Cool.. :cool: -

--- Jeez it's kinda cold to ride....----------

------Next project – fool around to upgrade the heat shielding. (Imagine a conversation among the Honda engineers – “Hey where can we put the wiring, and fuses, and other stuff so it just cooks it for an early failure? Oh, I know! Let’s put it right by the rear headers!” --- Gawd - terrible.)

Resources –
COMPU-FIRE 40A 3-PHASE CHARGING SYSTEMS - last part on the page #55402
http://www.chrome-ad...stems-46974.php

Crimp tool for Metri-Pack 280 connector and good general info on connections and parts
http://order.waytekw...WEBID(S0020):01

Waytek Catalog – great resource and information
http://www.nxtbook.c...catalog224/#/30

Connector Source – Performance Connection Systems – PCS – Metri-Pack – Fast shipping
http://www.pcsconnec...tripack280.aspx
http://www.pcsconnectors.com/

Miscellaneous wire ‘em up parts – Tightwad
www.wiremybike.com

More wire up stuff, HD 8 gauge battery ring type terminals and 4 ft strips of heat shrink
http://www.delcity.net/

Info on crimping
http://www.pbase.com...mination&page=1
http://www.americana...toolrental.html

Miscellaneous electric supply links
http://www.kzrider.c...ator-connectors

Always wondered why the fifth gens had that
Unfinished space at the front of the tank, :-)
Might look more oem if you got those dome nuts in black
Really easy to improve others peoples stuff from the couch :-)

Please keep us informed how you like it long term. I've got a GSXR 750 R/R on my '97 (and carry it's identical twin anytime I leave town for a trip) bet would go with the CompuFire if I ever had any more R/R problems.

That's the cleanest install I've seen - very nice.  I'm always impressed by attention to detail.   :cool:     Thanks for sharing the photos and resources for parts.

i installed the compufire also on my bike, but it winds up overcharging past 9,000 rpms.
i think it might be because i have led tail lights and hid head lights, plus the vfrness.
if i turn on the fan or high beams everything is a okay though, weird...

Nice install and great pictures!  Glad to see the VFRness donated at least some of it's parts...

For the block off connector (great idea BTW) you could have filled the cavities with hot melt glue instead of the liquid electrical tape...less messy I think.

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on 28 December 2011 - 01:59 PM, said:

Nice install and great pictures!  Glad to see the VFRness donated at least some of it's parts...

For the block off connector (great idea BTW) you could have filled the cavities with hot melt glue instead of the liquid electrical tape...less messy I think.

Thanks!  - -- That liquid tape I picked up on a wim at the auto part store and well, its fun to mess with. :rolleyes:

I'm kinda fumblely with the black electric tape so I'm finding the paint on stuff works in a lot of spots and home projects.  


btw- thanks to all who put up with my pesky questions - DaveB, Codewriter,Tightwad, Rangercott69, -  there's gotta be others that I'm not thinking of at the moment. Thumbs up to you guys.. :fing02:

Mello Dude-  Really nice install.  I like the look of the Metri pack 280 terminals for environmental protection, but the crimp connection doesn't look substantial enough to my eye. Then again, I'm a nut about getting a proper crimp.  I've seen these terminals on thousands of auto applications, so I know that they do the job when installed with production equipment.  Since it comes down to the crimping tool,  which crimper did you end up using?