Designing my own Rectifier/Regulator

[Nerobro]

I got the parts this morning. digikey ships freakishly fast.

r/r's this weekend.

 

[cberkeley]

I got the parts this morning. digikey ships freakishly fast.

r/r's this weekend.

Gee, thanks..... That's the first good news I got today!:-D
Seems like everyone else is busting my chops for one thing or the other today.
If it were not raining I would take the bike out for a ride. Ah, what the... I'll just take the rest of the day off!\\/
Cheers, Cletus

 

[Planecrazy]

I got the parts this morning. digikey ships freakishly fast.

r/r's this weekend.

Saturday is the day for me, Greg (Beckie works Sunday, so I'll have the kids). Let me know what time you're thinking so I can work out the details of "freeing" myself from the family!!

Regards,

 

[Nerobro]

What we're not teaching the little guy and his sister to solder? come on they're old enough! *grins evily* I wonder how old I was when my dad taught me. I remember it clearly. Huge soldering gun, I could barely control it. I think I was soldering r/c car parts.

Saturday works for me too. Pick a time! Earlier is probally better so some testing can be done. The only bits we still need to obtain is case materials and some big guage (<=12ga) wire for the hookups.

 

[bmac]

wire........

wire........

Hey guys, Watching the thread grow like wild fire..... I plan on purchasing
the specs soon waiting to see final outcome, Cletus is brilliant to devise an alternative, my hat is off to him!!!!!!!! I have plenty of #12 wire for free if interested send me a line. Not to far from you.....


bmac

 

[Planecrazy]

Thanks for the wire offer! I THINK I have a roll of 12 or 14 gauge stranded wire floating around ... I'll have to check. I KNOW I have plenty of 12 gauge solid wire, but I doubt that is appropriate for this project. I'll check and see and let you know if Greg needs to go on a "wire run."

As for Saturday, how early do you want to swing by, Greg? I'll start as early as you like (within reason).

Let me know, thanks!

 

[mixongw]

First of all, I'm not a cheap SOB. I have sent money, many times, to software writers for programs that were placed in the public domain. I have no interest in building my own R/R either. That being said, I have an issue to air out. Every forum that I am a member of, other than this one, has a policy of not turning a forum into a money making site for any members. If you tried it on DTR (Diesel Truck Resources), you would get shut down immediately. It seems this thread is gone completely away from the principle of "members helping members" to that of advertising a product or service, and a principle of one member getting paid by other members to share an idea. This doesn't sit well with me at all. If I come up with an idea to improve, how to fix, how not to fix or whatever, I don't expect to get paid for it. That's not what this forum is all about (at least, I didn't think it was). If it was a design that DID warrant a monetary exchange, I certainly wouldn't use this forum to do it. It just seems wrong to me. I'm sure I have gotten ideas on this forum that have saved me more than $20.00, and they were free. I hope that I have offered help to others too. Why not just put the idea in the public domain and let the user decide if it's worth a donation for your time and materials. Or put it on a CD and sell it on Ebay. If no one agrees with me, that's OK too. I just needed to air my thoughts on this.

 

[bakalorz]

First of all, I'm not a cheap SOB. I have sent money, many times, to software writers for programs that were placed in the public domain. I have no interest in building my own R/R either. That being said, I have an issue to air out. Every forum that I am a member of, other than this one, has a policy of not turning a forum into a money making site for any members. If you tried it on DTR (Diesel Truck Resources), you would get shut down immediately. It seems this thread is gone completely away from the principle of "members helping members" to that of advertising a product or service, and a principle of one member getting paid by other members to share an idea. This doesn't sit well with me at all. If I come up with an idea to improve, how to fix, how not to fix or whatever, I don't expect to get paid for it. That's not what this forum is all about (at least, I didn't think it was). If it was a design that DID warrant a monetary exchange, I certainly wouldn't use this forum to do it. It just seems wrong to me. I'm sure I have gotten ideas on this forum that have saved me more than $20.00, and they were free. I hope that I have offered help to others too. Why not just put the idea in the public domain and let the user decide if it's worth a donation for your time and materials. Or put it on a CD and sell it on Ebay. If no one agrees with me, that's OK too. I just needed to air my thoughts on this.

Actually, I feel the same way - although I _AM_ an admitted cheap bastid
(Why else do ya think I got a 25 year old bike ...)

If you want to sell a kit, and make some money on that, I have no problem with that; but it somehow strikes me the wrong way to charge just for the knowledge on how to fix something.

When I first started reading this thread, I was psyched, since I need a VR.
When it turned out that just the plans were going to be $19 my interest cooled quite a bit.

I was annoyed enough about it to decide to look into designing my own.
It turns out that they really are basically very simple.

I have developed a design and am currently selecting components.
Right now it looks as if the electronics will end up costing less than $20
I suspect my design will not be quite as much overkill as cberkeley's, but it should be more than adequate.

If everything works out, then I will release plans for free on the forum in the next month or so.

 

[Boondocks]

First of all, I'm not a cheap SOB. I have sent money, many times, to software writers for programs that were placed in the public domain. I have no interest in building my own R/R either. That being said, I have an issue to air out. Every forum that I am a member of, other than this one, has a policy of not turning a forum into a money making site for any members. If you tried it on DTR (Diesel Truck Resources), you would get shut down immediately. It seems this thread is gone completely away from the principle of "members helping members" to that of advertising a product or service, and a principle of one member getting paid by other members to share an idea. This doesn't sit well with me at all. If I come up with an idea to improve, how to fix, how not to fix or whatever, I don't expect to get paid for it. That's not what this forum is all about (at least, I didn't think it was). If it was a design that DID warrant a monetary exchange, I certainly wouldn't use this forum to do it. It just seems wrong to me. I'm sure I have gotten ideas on this forum that have saved me more than $20.00, and they were free. I hope that I have offered help to others too. Why not just put the idea in the public domain and let the user decide if it's worth a donation for your time and materials. Or put it on a CD and sell it on Ebay. If no one agrees with me, that's OK too. I just needed to air my thoughts on this.

I agree. This thread started with "I'm not trying to make money but I would like to contribute something to this site" (paraphrased) and has morphed into a money making commercial endeavor. The part where "It's been fun! ....but the wife insists (and she's right) that we make something from this" seems to be a particularly lame excuse for charging members for something that should be free. This isn't rocket science, and there is nothing in this simple shunt type R/R idea that could be patented. Charging $19 for a schematic and an unproven prototype parts list is excessive. In Cletus's defense, the members who have rushed forth to buy it have made it very easy for him to push the monetary issue.

There are free schematics and parts lists all over the Web for projects similar to this. If I find a suitable one, I will post the link. If I build one some day, I'm not going to pay a member who claims to be contributing to the site for plans, when in fact he is contributing to himself.

 

[Nerobro]

I agree. This thread started with "I'm not trying to make money but I would like to contribute something to this site" (paraphrased) and has morphed into a money making commercial endeavor. The part where "It's been fun! ....but the wife insists (and she's right) that we make something from this" seems to be a particularly lame excuse for charging members for something that should be free. This isn't rocket science, and there is nothing in this simple shunt type R/R idea that could be patented. Charging $19 for a schematic and an unproven prototype parts list is excessive. In Cletus's defense, the members who have rushed forth to buy it have made it very easy for him to push the monetary issue.

There are free schematics and parts lists all over the Web for projects similar to this. If I find a suitable one, I will post the link. If I build one some day, I'm not going to pay a member who claims to be contributing to the site for plans, when in fact he is contributing to himself.

This should only be free if it's offered completely without support. The reality is, that cletus is going to support all of us in this. Coming from a guy who's helped sell/produce this sort of product before, $20 is to cheap. :-/ If he gave it away for free, that would be nice. But taking a dump on him because he is asking for some money in return isn't exactly fair either.

Actually, there aren't free schematics and parts lists all over the web that are as clear, well done, and documented as cletus's plans. Yes, the design is simple, yes the parts count is low. The best question to ask, if it's so easy, why hasn't someone else done it first? The answer to that, is that it's not. And ya'll forget he has contributed the LED controler as well.

If you don't feel the price is fair, don't pay for it. Go ahead do your own thing. I don't see it being "right" to jump all over him like this. If you'd like to check the title of the thread... the fact we even have access to the schematic at all is a gift.

 

[Jon78gs1000]

Cletus is a nice fellow that took his time and effort to create a part that you Can't buy! It saves people hundreds of dollars and if he wants to charge a measley 19 U.S dollars for it then all the more power to him. Sure you can find schmatics on the web,Is there any that you would trust with your bike. I wouldn't. Sifting out what specific electronic parts to put where is in my opinion hard to say the least. I've read about Resistors.Diodes,Capacators and SCR's. To put it togeather with Ohms law is to me difficult and hard on my brain. Make a joke at my expense if you want to but I will Gladly pay for someone to make a schmatic for a part that is specific to my needs. At least in my case i'm very happy to have helped Cberkeley. If I went to have one of these puppys made for me at an electronic company I wonder what the cost for it would be.
I think Cberkeley should be able to charge for his effort.
I think that when you buy a motorcycle you should get a Free repair manual,but you don't do you? I paid 80 bucks for my 400 Maxim manual
from Yamaha and it was a photocopied book.The pictures wern't even clear.That ticked me off.
So Cberkeley,you have my Vote =D>

 

[cberkeley]

Disappointing to learn as this thread started out with only the best of intentions and that continues to hold true. I do not need this as a source of income, neither does my wife, we are both seasoned professionals gainfully employed.

Anyone dissatisfied with the plan? .....100% refund guaranteed, No questions asked, no love lost!

I designed this thing as a solution to my bike's problem, I built the prototype, tested it, tweaked it, its on my bike, I am happy with the performance and it stays there..... S I M P L E.

Some people said patent it, make kits, make finished product, put it on e-bay you'll make a bundle ..........I thought about it long and hard, turns out I'm not in the least interested!

The offer stands, anyone dissatisfied with the plan ONE HUNDRED PERCENT REFUND.
Cheers, Cletus

 

[ghwrenchit]

This should only be free if it's offered completely without support. The reality is, that cletus is going to support all of us in this. Coming from a guy who's helped sell/produce this sort of product before, $20 is to cheap. :-/ If he gave it away for free, that would be nice. But taking a dump on him because he is asking for some money in return isn't exactly fair either.

Actually, there aren't free schematics and parts lists all over the web that are as clear, well done, and documented as cletus's plans. Yes, the design is simple, yes the parts count is low. The best question to ask, if it's so easy, why hasn't someone else done it first? The answer to that, is that it's not. And ya'll forget he has contributed the LED controler as well.

If you don't feel the price is fair, don't pay for it. Go ahead do your own thing. I don't see it being "right" to jump all over him like this. If you'd like to check the title of the thread... the fact we even have access to the schematic at all is a gift.

I would have to agree, and back Cletus 100%. This project has gained a lot of momentum from the infancy stage to where it is now from the encouragement and curiosity of many site members. No problem or mention of selling kit/plan/assembly on the board regarding this project until now... ~170 posts later. Don't come down on the guy at the last minute. IMO an apology may be in order.... Cletus took this thing from the cradle to the grave... all in a hope to benifit other GS'ers that may be in need.

Perhaps after a few unit's are in service this post should move to the "For Sale" section, if that would make any difference.

BTW: I would hate to guess how many hours went into this project....

ghwrenchit

 

[cberkeley]

OK! .....I been thinking (and that be dangerous :-D ) I'm suspending the sale/distribution of plans for the time being. Over the next couple of weeks or so, I want to work with those who have plans in their possession (no secrets, there are 15 out there to date, not a large test sample, but workable and manageable) try to sort out bugs (if any), make improvements and get a general "feel" for where the project is heading. Do I want to continue with it? invest more time and take it further? or just shelve the thing? would be decided at that point. Motorcycles is a hobby for me, a stress reliever, and gives me much quality time to myself, it was/is also a great father/daughter project restoring/building, I do not want to risk diminishing this enjoyment (the grief ain't worth it). In all cases the folks who have plans in their possession have the option at any time to bail-out, just send me a PM, e-mail or snail-mail and I will get a full refund off to you pronto, no hard feelings and full confidentiality assured. Fair enough??
BTW Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the posts, FOR and AGAINST.... this is a great forum, no problem here!
Cheers, Cletus

 

[jonr]

OK! .....I been thinking (and that be dangerous :-D ) I'm suspending the sale/distribution of plans for the time being. Over the next couple of weeks or so, I want to work with those who have plans in their possession (no secrets, there are 15 out there to date, not a large test sample, but workable and manageable) try to sort out bugs (if any), make improvements and get a general "feel" for where the project is heading. Do I want to continue with it? invest more time and take it further? or just shelve the thing? would be decided at that point. Motorcycles is a hobby for me, a stress reliever, and gives me much quality time to myself, it was/is also a great father/daughter project restoring/building, I do not want to risk diminishing this enjoyment (the grief ain't worth it). In all cases the folks who have plans in their possession have the option at any time to bail-out, just send me a PM e-mail or snail-mail and I will get a full refund off to you pronto, no hard feelings and full confidentiality assured. Fair enough??

Cletus,

Don't get down about all of this. You seem like a well-intentioned guy who designed and built a piece of replacement equipment whose original is the bane of the GS's existence. There are a few electrical engineers that float around on this site and provide sage advice, but none (that I know of) in recent history that completely designed and implemented such a complex device. People who are privy to the quantity of knowledge necessary to make equipment are FAR and FEW between. This is why you have such a sustained interest in your R/R design.

For those people who can design and create their own, let em! They have the knowledge, so why should they have to buy plans from you? However, there are many of us who are not so adept and would like to have a quality (overbuilt) piece of equipment on our bikes.

While the GSR forum is yet another blog on a specialty hobby or interest, it's "personality" is truly unique. In my time of being on the forum since 2003, I don't see any of your activities as "crossing the line." If it was taboo to make money on this site, then why is there a "For Sale" forum? How many people came in to some part on their bike on ebay for $5 and turned it around for $10? The long of the short of it is that if you don't want to pay for Cletus' plans, then don't -- and stop whining about it.

-J

 

[bmac]

Opinions......Everyone has one

Opinions......Everyone has one

Forum Readers,
It is that we read these threads to help others with experiences we've had to help others resolve issues.... inform and enlighten situations
that you just can't get from a text book. In some cases you can have all the manuels spread out like a deck of cards and to no avail something is missed in translation or upon interpitation.With that said,why diminish an
individuals right to work on a project inwhich serves a meaningful purpose
and take away his right to make a return for time spent and making a function better. We, you,I, make the choice to read these threads. We
offer advise to the best of our ability and with concern. Lets not be critical of a persons intent when they have taken the time to do what he has the ability to acheive. Cletus, keep taking those emails.


Just my opinion.......bmac

 

[ehra]

Cletus, I for one appreciate the project that you have produced. You spent your time to spec out robust parts, design the circuitry, lay out a great set of instructions and give product support. $19 for the schematic alone is worth it. I have $50+ manuals that don?t do as good a job explaining the way it works together. Sure a person can find plans for just about everything on the net but can you make it all work together without burning everything up, maybe a homemade nuclear reactor. I see this as a project that gives me adjustments that I cannot buy in a commercial product. The industrial regulators that can do the job start at about $400 and do not include the easy adjustability of this unit.
That being said with the large group of people on here we are going to get many diverse views on everything from life to death and everything in between just like the world around us. The diversity of this place is what makes it great, the internet can seem harsh sometimes but usually that is not the intention of the people that post their views of a particular subject.
Thanks for the hard work, I appreciate it and just got my scr?s so I will complete mine this weekend.

Glenn Dewey

 

[mixongw]

This should only be free if it's offered completely without support. The reality is, that cletus is going to support all of us in this. Coming from a guy who's helped sell/produce this sort of product before, $20 is to cheap. :-/ If he gave it away for free, that would be nice. But taking a dump on him because he is asking for some money in return isn't exactly fair either.

Actually, there aren't free schematics and parts lists all over the web that are as clear, well done, and documented as cletus's plans. Yes, the design is simple, yes the parts count is low. The best question to ask, if it's so easy, why hasn't someone else done it first? The answer to that, is that it's not. And ya'll forget he has contributed the LED controler as well.

If you don't feel the price is fair, don't pay for it. Go ahead do your own thing. I don't see it being "right" to jump all over him like this. If you'd like to check the title of the thread... the fact we even have access to the schematic at all is a gift.

If he wants to "sell" a schematic, that's fine. Just not here! I don't think I "took a dump on" or "jumped all over" anyone!

 

[mixongw]

Disappointing to learn as this thread started out with only the best of intentions and that continues to hold true. I do not need this as a source of income, neither does my wife, we are both seasoned professionals gainfully employed.

Anyone dissatisfied with the plan? .....100% refund guaranteed, No questions asked, no love lost!

I designed this thing as a solution to my bike's problem, I built the prototype, tested it, tweaked it, its on my bike, I am happy with the performance and it stays there..... S I M P L E.

Some people said patent it, make kits, make finished product, put it on e-bay you'll make a bundle ..........I thought about it long and hard, turns out I'm not in the least interested!

The offer stands, anyone dissatisfied with the plan ONE HUNDRED PERCENT REFUND.
Cheers, Cletus

This sure sounds like marketing to me! Now a warranty is offered? I think my point was missed completely.

 

[mixongw]

Cletus,

Don't get down about all of this. You seem like a well-intentioned guy who designed and built a piece of replacement equipment whose original is the bane of the GS's existence. There are a few electrical engineers that float around on this site and provide sage advice, but none (that I know of) in recent history that completely designed and implemented such a complex device. People who are privy to the quantity of knowledge necessary to make equipment are FAR and FEW between. This is why you have such a sustained interest in your R/R design.

For those people who can design and create their own, let em! They have the knowledge, so why should they have to buy plans from you? However, there are many of us who are not so adept and would like to have a quality (overbuilt) piece of equipment on our bikes.

While the GSR forum is yet another blog on a specialty hobby or interest, it's "personality" is truly unique. In my time of being on the forum since 2003, I don't see any of your activities as "crossing the line." If it was taboo to make money on this site, then why is there a "For Sale" forum? How many people came in to some part on their bike on ebay for $5 and turned it around for $10? The long of the short of it is that if you don't want to pay for Cletus' plans, then don't -- and stop whining about it.

-J

I thought whining was allowed. Sorry.