Pre 04 Thunderheart or 04 on up RIP upgrade, which do you recommend, and why?

[No H2O]

In my search for a BDM chopper, one of the considerations is the electrical since a bad electrical can cause all kinds of problems that are time consuming to chase down.
Between the 03 and earlier Thunderheart or the 04 and later RIP upgrade (not stock), which would you recommend, and why?

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Big Dog put out, in general, a good quality electrical system using aircraft quality materials.
Sure it's had it's issues but their manageable and in most cases preventable with the right knowledge.
From my experience, since 2003 with Big Dog, starting in 04 they we're using their own proprietary VR and it was the cause, and continues to be the cause, of many if not most of the damage that has been caused to the electrical system and it's components.
Maintained properly, meaning routed correctly-zip tied cleanly-protected at corners and tight bends, the BD wiring system will give an owner years of trouble free service.
Having said the above Electronik is putting out replacement EHCs for 03, 04 and 05 and up that are drop dead easy to install and, if your issue that killed your previous EHC has been taken care of, will not give you the issues the OEM EHC did.
Before the hater trolls start up there is allot to choose from out there.
DO your homework and go with the one your comfortable with but don't let lying and deceit cloud your judgment. Get the facts from the people who know their kits not from second or third parties that don't

 

[No H2O]

So it sounds like:
a) an '03 or earlier is going to be more trouble free due to the non-troublesome voltage regulators.
b) before doing anything with an 04 or later, the voltage regulator should be replaced first then, the Electronik EHC.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

So it sounds like:
a) an '03 or earlier is going to be more trouble free due to the non-troublesome voltage regulators.
b) before doing anything with an 04 or later, the voltage regulator should be replaced first then, the Electronik EHC.

Yes

 

[No H2O]

starting in 04 they we're using their own proprietary VR and it was the cause, and continues to be the cause, of many if not most of the damage that has been caused to the electrical system and it's components

if your issue that killed your previous EHC has been taken care of, will not give you the issues the OEM EHC did.

Mine's an 04.

On July 26 the shop replaced a faulty VR/rectifier:
(Post 88) http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/replacement-battery.3506/page-5#post-873738

On September 7 was the first of a few total-loss-of-power-in-mid-ride incidents:
(Post 1) http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/...d-pop-and-she-rockets-back-into-action.83152/

Could it be that the July 26 VR/rectifier fried my EHC and now I have to get both a proper VR/rectifier and EHC?

If so I'll call the shop and ask what make and model of VR/rectifier they put in and go from there ...

 

[No H2O]

The charging system and vr are definitely not proprietary

but still there are different VRs and installing the incorrect one could damage the EHC which could cause failures and/or loss of power?

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Mine's an 04.

On July 26 the shop replaced a faulty VR/rectifier:
(Post 88) http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/replacement-battery.3506/page-5#post-873738

On September 7 was the first of a few total-loss-of-power-in-mid-ride incidents:
(Post 1) http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/...d-pop-and-she-rockets-back-into-action.83152/

Could it be that the July 26 VR/rectifier fried my EHC and now I have to get both a proper VR/rectifier and EHC?

If so I'll call the shop and ask what make and model of VR/rectifier they put in and go from there ...

Beginning in 04 the VR was most certainly proprietary as BD had a company making them for BD.
Beginning in 05 the entire charging system became proprietary as they began using the smaller rotor and having protrusions fabricated into the primary case to prevent a standard size rotor and stator from being utilized. They also began using a stator with more coils. I am sure it was all in an effort to support what they we're doing with their electronics but it was in fact a detriment. One of the reasons so many shops have issues with doing Big Dog work is because they believe, as global statement, what was stated earlier here "The charging system and vr are definitely not proprietary, a vr from Harley along with stator is the same as an evo". In theory that statement is correct. In reality, for Big Dog, it could not be further from the truth if you want to maintain your BD at optimum levels with their OEM style system. Not everyone wants to do that but we, Wild Steed Worx, believe BD was on the right track they were just going about it the wrong way. If your EHC, or other components, received damage due to the old charging system and you then install a new charging system to prevent further damage is does not mean that now everything is safe. Anything that received damage previously is still damaged and may liekly fail sooner or later. I deal with this on a daily basis talking to both private customers and shops. As I have stated previously in a number of posts the first thing that needs to go on a BD, provided it is OEM and in some cases if someone has installed something that should not have been installed, is the charging system. To date the only two VRs I would ever think of installing in mine or any of my customer's BDs is a CompUFire, my first preference, or a Cycle Electric. Both are U.S. made and have a long history of success.

 

[No H2O]

Beginning in 04 the VR was most certainly proprietary as BD had a company making them for BD.
Beginning in 05 the entire charging system became proprietary as they began using the smaller rotor and having protrusions fabricated into the primary case to prevent a standard size rotor and stator from being utilized. They also began using a stator with more coils. I am sure it was all in an effort to support what they we're doing with their electronics but it was in fact a detriment. One of the reasons so many shops have issues with doing Big Dog work is because they believe, as global statement, what was stated earlier here "The charging system and vr are definitely not proprietary, a vr from Harley along with stator is the same as an evo". In theory that statement is correct. In reality, for Big Dog, it could not be further from the truth if you want to maintain your BD at optimum levels with their OEM style system. Not everyone wants to do that but we, Wild Steed Worx, believe BD was on the right track they were just going about it the wrong way. If your EHC, or other components, received damage due to the old charging system and you then install a new charging system to prevent further damage is does not mean that now everything is safe. Anything that received damage previously is still damaged and may liekly fail sooner or later. I deal with this on a daily basis talking to both private customers and shops. As I have stated previously in a number of posts the first thing that needs to go on a BD, provided it is OEM and in some cases if someone has installed something that should not have been installed, is the charging system. To date the only two VRs I would ever think of installing in mine or any of my customer's BDs is a CompUFire, my first preference, or a Cycle Electric. Both are U.S. made and have a long history of success.

Based on the above I'd conclude:
a) an '03 BDM is the most straightforward/standard/stable as far as charging/electrical is concerned
b) an '04 BDM is a cluster
c) for an '05 or later BDM, if anything stock goes bad, replace with both a CompUFire VR and an Electronik EHC and you're good to go (no need to tediously reconnect every single wire with a RIP kit)

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Based on the above I'd conclude:
a) an '03 BDM is the most straightforward/standard/stable as far as charging/electrical is concerned
b) an '04 BDM is a cluster
c) for an '05 or later BDM, if anything stock goes bad, replace with both a CompUFire VR and an Electronik EHC and you're good to go (no need to tediously reconnect every single wire with a RIP kit)

The only thing I would add is that on 05 and up don't wait for something to go bad first. Replace the charging system immediately before it gets a chance to do any more damage than it may have already done.

 

[No H2O]

The only thing I would add is that on 05 and up don't wait for something to go bad first. Replace the charging system immediately before it gets a chance to do any more damage than it may have already done.

Just the VR or both the VR and the EHC? (need to know what to budget in if/when looking at an 05)

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Just the VR or both the VR and the EHC? (need to know what to budget in if/when looking at an 05)

If your EHC is operating correctly and does not have issues leave it alone. On 04s you should add a 20 amp breaker to the positive red wire that goes from the breaker, if it's going straight to the battery move it to the breaker but make sure the wires are separated from the VR lead, to the EHC.