[Ducati] Misc ponderings about regulators

[EJ]

> From: mike major <textike at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [Ducati] Misc ponderings about regulators
> To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati at ducati.net>
>
> A "shunt Regulator", often based on a zener diode, bleeds off any power
> generated over the power needed.  If the bike's output power is closely
> matched to the power needed the amount of power bled off will be small
> thus putting little strain on the regulator.
>

Does this mean the regulator will last longer if I keep the lamp on all
the time?