The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Polarize a voltage regulator?

My ‘47 3100 AD finally has its new cluster gauge installed and wired correctly thanks to the helpful suggestions here. The problem remained that the ammeter was still always charging! Something was still wrong!

Went back and fully charged the battery and checked it for load and draw when running. Battery ok. Next the generator was checked for output, draw with lights/no lights. Appeared normal. To reassure my self I had it bench tested. Was ok. After I mentioned the next step, the voltage regulator, the technician said he needed the generator and VR together for the test. Next day he tested both and said the VR was the problem.
So I’ve ordered a new VR- not cheap but obviously necessary. Hopefully the malfunctioning VR was causing my ammeter to always show Charge. Hope I didn’t fry the ammeter in the process!

I’m reading here but can’t find an answer to: “ will I have to polarize the VR or is it a simple install and connect the generator and VR?” I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer with elect. stuffing.

You polarize the generator via the regulator.

Briefly jump the BAT and ARM terminals on the regulator to polarize the genny. It takes about a millisecond and you'll see a little spark. Both units will then be "in sync."

There are two kinds of voltage regulators- - - -Delco-Remy, and "WRONG"! If you're buying a new regulator, you're taking a huge gamble. A lot of them are bad right out of the box, due to the fact they're made in some offshore sweatshop by virtual slave labor. The quality control is just about nonexistent. There are plenty of serviceable "pre-owned" Delco units on Ebay. The prices aren't outrageous, either. A little primer and paint will make them look brand new. Then all you'll need to do is find someone who knows how to adjust it to get the proper output from the generator. The adjustments are:

Closing voltage
Current regulator
Voltage regulator

The adjustments are made by changing the spring tension on each of the three sets of magnetic points under the cover. The voltage regulator needs to be adjusted when the generator is charging against a fully charged battery. On a 6V system, the setting needs to be 7.5 V, on a 12V it's 14.5V. Adjustments tend to reduce a little when the cover is installed, due to better magnetic conduction of the stamped steel.
Jerry

Wow…..you speak with tons of knowledge and experience. Me hardly none.
Actually did look on eBay at used units.
Looked at Jim Carter’s catalog and called, asked if they were USA made and made by Delco. They said yes. Asked if the cover was stamped Delco. No.
Does that mean it isn’t a as is not labeled? I thought Jim Carter was a reliable source of quality parts……although I recognize many vendors handle the same imported stuff. As many here have written.
Since I’ve ordered it, I will examine it carefully before I do anything. Might be an idea to send a picture and let it be evaluated.

6 volt or 12 volt? I have both types stashed away, original equipment stuff that's still in working condition. Did your spark chaser say why your regulator was "bad"- - - -and did he make any attempt to fix or adjust it? I'm guessing probably not. Send me a PM so I won't get a nastygram from a moderator- - - -click on my username and select the PM option. I might be able to repair and adjust the one you already have. Delco-Remy went out of business 30 years ago. The stuff labeled "Delco" or "AC-Delco" is an offshore knockoff, regardless of their "Made in USA" claims. Most likely the BOX is printed here- - - -not necessarily what's inside!
Jerry

If you're reasonably handy and careful, there's a procedure for adjusting the voltage regulator in the service manual. Unless you can't screw a nut on a bolt, you can probably do it.

I'm betting that the regulator sold by Jim carter is made by Regitar. They are stamped as made in USA but what does that mean these days? It is not a digital/electronic VR but an actual old style unit with springs and points. Is it made to the original Delco Remy standards? Nothing these days is made to any standard that one would have expected 75, 50 or even 40 years ago.

Buy it, install it and if it works, Great! Don't ever discard original parts, however, because you will probably end up needing to rebuild them sometime in the future.

I have a Regitar in my Cadillac and AD truck. So far, so good. Neither came from Jim Carter.

Here's a new Delco-Remy 6V negative ground regulator, 35 amp. There are other, used ones on Ebay for considerably less.

www.ebay.com/itm/335298607897?

Jerry