The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay alternator regulator?

I am replacing my wiring harness. Well its was all going smoothly until i reached the voltage regulator. My harness is for an internal regulator and I guess I have an external (on the firewall). My questions is how do I know if my alternator has an internal regulator or not. (I am not all that confident in what the previous owner did when he converted to 12 volts) the external regulator is hooked up, i do not want to order a new harness so if I need the external job then I need to rig up some new wires . Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
DAvid

There were alot of different alts made. I would take it to an auto parts store that offers free testing. Have it tested and ask the counter people what it is and if it needs a regulator.

If the alternator has the two terminals R & F on the back of the alternator it's an external regulator alternator. If the alternator has the #1 & #2 terminals on the side of the alternator it's an internal regulator alternator.

Chevy1
it has two wires on the back plus a plug in the middle of the back. I think i figured out how to wire it with the harness i have plus the old wires to the regulator (they were in good shape because they were added when the conversion was done) I should be finished wiring this weekend then i can find out for sure. I am also wondering about the voltage reducer for the heater, i don't see where he put one in, I think I will have to do that also.

David

Chevy1 : not so ! I have a Delcotron _exactly_ as you describe and it's definately internally regulated .

I dunno if it was converted or what but that criteria cannot be used to determine what kind of alt. it is .

That's a new one on me Nate. I've never seen or heard of anyone finding a pre 69 10-DN Alternator that was an internal regulator model. Theirs not even room to install the internal regulator of the 70 and later models in the case.

The problem with working on a 12 volt conversion is that you're not sure what has been done. The original system had a 6 volt generator with an external regulator. The common way to do a conversion is to use an internally regulated alt, and remove the 6 volt generator and regulator setup.

Ive seen trucks where an internally regulated alt has been added, and wired to the old 6 volt regulator. Of course it usually doesn't work right. Ive also seen externally regulated alternators wired to the 6 volt regulator, and that really doesn't work.
A 12 volt generator and 12 volt regulator can be used, and that will work provided its done right. You could also wire in an external regulated alt with the matching regulator, and that would work too.

First, you've got to figure out what has been done to the truck. If you've got an externally regulated alt, it must use a regulator for an alternator. I don't think a regulator for a 12 volt generator will work properly with a 12 volt external regulated alt.
If you have the external regulated alt and the right regulator, then you've got two choices. Either wire the existing charging system into the new harness, or remove the alt and regulator and install an internally regulated alternator.

To wire an external regulator correctly, you'll have to find what car the regulator was originally for. Then find a wiring diagram for that car and wire accordingly. Not all 12 volt regulators were wired the same.

Of course, the easy way is to use an internally regulated alternator and the new harness with no mods. Its easy assuming the alt brackets will fit an internally regulated unit.