Yes, there are different generator ratings, and to keep life simple, you need the voltage regulator to match. Most passenger car and light truck generators were rated for about 35 amps- if I remember correctly. You can use a voltage regulator rated for a higher generator output on a lower-output generator, but not the other way unless you can adjust the regulator to control the generator- which you can do, but you need to know what you are dealing with. There should be a tag on the generator which will identify the output, but you have to have either a cross-reference manual or the OEM parts manual in order to determine the rated output.
Armatures of the same overall dimentions should function, but you need to be careful with the voltage regulator settings. If you stick with about 35 amps at about 7 volts, you should be alright- as long as the generator functions. There is quite a bit to testing a generator properly, but with an ohmmeter or test light, you will be able to get useful information. Basically, one brush goes to ground, the other should be insulated. Both external terminals should be insulated, one goes to the field wire, the other goes to armature brush-the insulated brush. The field winding should have continuity from the field wire terminal through to the other end- probably around 3 ohms of resistance, plus or minus a little- I don't remember the number at the moment. The armature bars should be insulated from the core/shaft, but you can find continuity between bars. That won't tell you much, but any connection from a bar to the core/shaft is not a good thing- the armature is grounded and needs to be re-wound. Or replaced.
Hope this helps.
Harvester
