The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Voltage Regulator not hooked up - Have a diagram?

Hello,

My recently purchased '40 1/2 ton has been upgraded to 12 volts with a newer alternator but I just noticed that the (newer looking Delco Remy) Voltage Regulator is not connected to anything (!). I assume things would be better in the long run if I had it connected.

Should I hook it up as per the 1940 shop manual (6v) or does the 12v upgrade require a different approach?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Doug - Portland, Oregon

If your alternator is internally regulated you don't need the external regulator. If it's not internally regulated this might help.

Thanks Tiny,

Here is a picture of my Alternator - can you tell if it is internally regulated from the outside?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kSdQtVMz3ZZUkPT_R_YxKQ?feat=directlink

And while were at it, Is there a way to tell if my coil needs an external ballast resistor? (I don't see any markings on it from the outside)

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uEEBrbgupC_sE_zA-k21PQ?feat=directlink

thanks, Doug

I don't know how to tell, or even if you can tell, by looking. If it's a newly manufactured alternator it should be internally regulated. Someone better versed on such things should chime in soon.

Doug,

Great picture. Your alternator appears to have been converted to a single wire unit. You can see the little black plastic cap that covers the tabs on the internal regulator. You need no other regulator for this setup.

If you connect a Ohmmeter across + and - on your coil, a reading of 3 to 4 ohms means it has a internal resistor and no ballast resistor is needed. A reading on your meter of 1 to 2 means you need to stick a ballast resistor ahead of it.

Stuart

Stewart,

Thanks alot! I really appreciate it. I am at ease knowing that the regulator on my firewall is just decorative... and I'll check the coil ohms ASAP.

Cheers,

Doug