Tympanium (2010)

I am considering installing a Tympanium on my Mark 3. According to its literature it will replace the regulator & Zener diode. Hopefully, it will also contribute to a brighter headlight.

Can anyone advise where best to install it? Any advice regarding Tympanium installation & benefits would be appreciated
Stephen

I installed one in a Triumph Tiger Cub fifteen years ago. All I can offer is a thumbs-up. Worked great.

Same as above. Installed on a trumpy and it works fantasic. I cannot confirm the brighter lights becaus eI don't ride the old bikes at night. Made a bracket and mounted under the seat where the old reg/rec was and doesn't get to hot. I have heard of people mounting them in different places on a commando. google search will probably bring up better results for this forum that the search function. If you email me I could send you a picture of how I mounted it.

Since you have a Mk3 with the 180 watt alternator, you might want to look at the Podtronics 200 watt (20 amp) single phase regulator/rectifier. I don't know what the Tympanium is rated, but the standard Podtronics is a 120 watt (12 amp) unit.

I have had good experience with Tympanium on the normal 120 watt alternators, but use the 20 amp Podtronics on my Mk3.

If you are after a little more juice, you will want something more than a 12 amp unit.

By the way, if it is a dim headlight you are trying to cure, it probably is due to voltage loss. Put a voltmeter across the connections of the headlight connector. Then measure the output voltage of the battery. If it is significantly different, you need to check all the connections. Better yet, install a relay and run the power straight from the battery to a fuse, the relay, and then the headllight. Use the existing wiring to trigger the relay.

Checked with the good folks at British Cycle & they see no reason not to use a Tympanium unit on the Mark 3. They do not sell Podtronics.

I think I'll give it a try & see.

Will clean all wire junctions while I'm at it!

Last chapter: Installed the Tympanium today. A very simple installation too. Basically just plug & play.

I removed the rectifier and bolted the Tympanium unit in it's place. Then disconnected the 2 Zener diodes. Started the bike & was away.

The headlight is now much brighter. Voltage was 12.35 amps at idle and 12.75 or so at 3000.

BTW, the previous owner has put silicone behind the Zener diode. Seems to me this would reduce the heat sink capacity?? I wonder if this affected the brightness of the headlight?

Stephen

glad that played out good for you. I may try one on one of the Commando's.

the previous owner has put silicone behind the Zener diode. Seems to me this would reduce the heat sink capacity??

Click to expand...

There is a paste or grease available to increase the heat transfer from the zener to the heat sink. It is available from most any electronic supply. Perhaps that was what you found?

Did you mount the tympanium to any kind of heat sink?

Hi Ron L,
It really was silicone between each Zener diode & the Z plate. However, that's not an issue anymore.

No heat sink was required by the British Cycle instructions. They tell me they have sold 1000s of Tympaniums (US made) with no problems (around $50 CAD each).

I will be glad to report back in a few weeks on the experience.
Stephen

No heat sink was required by the British Cycle instructions.

Click to expand...

No, but they do recommend it be mounted on a "cool metal location". We put one on a friends Atlas-based cafe racer and fabbed up an aluminum plate to mount across the frame under the seat. I always worried if it would dissipate enough heat.

Tympanium has been making these for years as well as OEM regulators for the marine and lawn equipment motors.