The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Voltage Regulator

I tried searching the posts so excuse me if it has already been covered. How do you tell a 6v voltage regulator from a 12 v one? I have a 12v generator on a ‘54 235 that was transplanted onto my ‘51 3100 and was looking at the regulator but didn’t see any designation on the cover. Is it inside?

Original Delco regulators of that time period would have had information stamped into the base of the regulator....7 digit number, date code etc. Aftermarket regulators typically have ink stamping somewhere on the side of the base plate or underneath. The modern day aftermarket regulators that are made in India have ink stampings on the cover of the regulator. Modern aftermarket regulators that are made in USA will have Made in USA physically stamped into the base but may have ink stamp information on the base plate or underneath. If you do find a number of any kind let me know and I will see if I can give you the info on it.
Ken

Just looked on the voltage regulator. It has faded ink barely visible but what I thought I saw was “7121. 12v. POS-NEG”. Does this mean it’s 12 volt?

Yes

There are two kinds of GM regulators- - - - -Original equipment Delco, and ones that don't work worth a concrete water barrier. Yours would be in the latter category.
Jerry

I guess I’ll give’r a try. Concrete water barrier- good one! Too bad it’s not a Delco. If it doesn’t work out, anyone have a spare 12 v OEM?

Is there a joke here? Concrete is used in dams, pipes, reservoirs, etc. A very useful construction material.

Check Evil-bay- - - -there are usually several OEM Delco regulators available, some "new old stock". They don't necessarily have to be "Chevrolet" specific- - - -just about any 12 volt negative ground regulator will work, or can be adjusted to be compatible. The only real difference in applications is the adjustment of the current regulator- - - -the setting of the cutout relay and voltage control coil will be the same regardless of the "original" application. Unless you're planning to do a numbers-correct restoration, a specific part number regulator isn't much of a concern.

Gord- - - -what did the fish say when he ran into a concrete wall?

LOL!
Jerry

There are still good quality made in USA aftermarket regulators in production. In my business I either supply the made in USA brand or NOS regulators. With that being said let me say that if you find a cheap aftermarket regulator then thats what your going to get. Aftermarket regulators are either made in USA or India. So anything cheap comes from India and they are in fact JUNK. If its made in USA they will always have that stamped on the base and they are very good quality regulators, however they are expensive. Most of the NOS Delco regulators were specific for either pos. or neg. ground. Todays aftermarket regulators that are made in USA will polarize to either pos. or neg. ground. Your neg. ground so you dont really have to worry about that. Like Jerry said, ebay is a good place to find a good NOS Delco.
Ken

Thanks for the advice. I’ll try it and if it doesn’t work, I’ll go shopping.