I have just joined and found this site today.I have a bearcat 454 1996 and it almost melted the voltage regulator i don't know why or how but the biggest problem is i can't afford a new one for what looks like quite some time.I have a few q's if someone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it, 1. is there any way at all that i can run the bike without the voltage regulator and keep it from charging the battery so it does not blow up or tear up the elec. system worse than it is now. and just charge the battery periodically with a charger on a tricle charge since the battery only runs the starter and accesseries right? 2.what can i do to check what may have coused the voltage regulator to go out so if down the road i get a new regulator? If i have to i am willing to disconnect other things if it makes it able to run it without the regulator. thanks to anyone in advance for your help p.s. unfortuneately i donnot have a manual 3.(afterthought) can get a chaeper regulator anywhere cheapest 1 so far is about 230.00

 

i have a 97 bc 454 and i had the same exact problem, the regulator does that when it gets old, i had to replace both regulator & stator. see the battery runs the cdi box, the starter , the lights, and any other accessories. if u unplug the regulator it wont charge your battery but might put a strain on your stator. plus u wont get very far on only stator/ battery power.

 

I replaced 1 in my 97 454 2x4 and I have to replace one in my 98 454 2x4, stay out of the mud and it will last longer.