Ive been looking at the wiring diagram for the DRL's, and I don't understand what Polaris is using the ceramic resistors for... can someone please shed some light here...

 

Drls are running off ac voltage according to the manual. The resistor reduces current to a specified amount to protect electronics,lights. The ceramic coating will get hot which is normal.Wiring diagram shows the y/r wire and black(ground) running from the resistor to a splice connector and then to the drls.

 

So to make sure I understand correctly
The stator is always putting out its max output for that rpm regardless if the system neededs it or not and the access power could cause damages to other components in the circuit if it's not used?
I ways always under the impression that whatever wasn't used from the startor just wasn't used... kinda like a battery... you can power a small peanut bulb with an 800cca battery without any issues. The bulb will only use what's needed from the battery...
am I on the right track here Hahahah

 

This is what the manual shows:
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
“DRL” Test
The daytime running lights are powered by an AC current from
the Generator / Stator.
If running lights are not working, perform the following:
1. Disconnect the harness from the faulty light.
2. Using a Volt Ohm Meter, measure the AC voltage between
the yellow red (YE/RD) and black (BK) wires. Voltage
above 5 VAC should be present when unit is running.
If voltage is present:
1. Replace the faulty bulb.
If voltage is not present:
1. The black wire should have continuity to ground. If no
continuity is present, check for an open in the wiring
harness or a poor connection.
2. If black wire has good continuity to ground, check the
wiring harness from the stator to the running lights. There
should be continuity between the (YE/RD) wire at the light
connector and the (YE/RD) wire at the Generator / Stator.
3. If continuity is good. Perform stator resistance tests by
using the resistance chart located in the wiring diagram.
4. Replace Generator / Stator if resistance is not within specs.

Other than the ceramic resistors job is to reduce current/protect electronics, the regulator takes the ac voltage and changes to 12 volts dc for the battery and rest of the electronics. Even the first 2001 model 50 and 90 that didn't have lights had this resistor.Anything beyond that is over my head..

 

Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated👍🏻
I do have the manual... just didn't find any information pertaining to these resistors and just wanted a better understanding why polaris was using them...

 

This might help from Wikipedia:
A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. In electronic circuits, resistors are used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages.... Just my two cents on this is since it does have dual yellow/red and ground wires on the 4 stroke resistor versus the two wire resistor on the older models, one yellow/red of the resistor is protection for the lights themselves since they're using ac voltage to limit what's supplied to them while protecting the rest of the system.Other that this I might be in over my head like I mentioned.. Correction on this. It does have the same style as the older resistor, 2 yellow/reds,two ground wires leading to respective splice points,but two designated yellow/reds lead from there directly to the Drls.I guess there's where one part of the resistor comes into play.

 

Thanks again. sorry for the late reply...