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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,915
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Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
My battery went dead, and when I hook up the jumper cables I noticed the voltage regulator clicks. It seems to me that if that's the sound of a solenoid closing, the voltage regulator would be drawing battery power all of the time.
So how do I test the voltage regulator? I haven't had to test one in many years. If it's a bad regulator, I'll probably just install the internal regulator alternator I have in my garage. Thanks |
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#2 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
It's a mechanical regulator. They have relays inside that open and close depending on the charging needs of the battery. If you supect it's bad, the new ones are fairly cheap and most are solid state. I converted mine to solid state some time back and it works fine.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Stabilizer.JPG |
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#3 | |
Restoration Virgin!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Huntersville, NC
Posts: 8,298
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
Quote:
Use this thread from FAQ to wire up that internal regulated alt.....and trash that external one....it'll cost you nothing!!!!!!
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Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present |
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#4 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
it'll cost nothing after buying a new alt with an internal regulator.
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#5 |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
I was running into this as well. Found out the PO had plugged the connector into the regulator in backwards. After plugging it in the correct way, all the problems went away.
It answered the question as to why they had a "kill switch" which would kill all the power to the whole truck. This would keep it from killing the battery. Check the connector and make sure it is correct. I had to search online to find a wiring diagram which I used to figure this out.
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. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... Last edited by chevy_mike; 08-07-2008 at 12:35 PM. |
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#6 | ||
Restoration Virgin!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Huntersville, NC
Posts: 8,298
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
Quote:
Quote:
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Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present |
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#7 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
![]() k, I'm busted. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: oregon
Posts: 1,069
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
The only difference with the external and the internal regulator alternators is where the regulator is. Except!..................the externaly regulated alternators have transistors that are beefier and cooled in the case of the alternator.
The rebuilders told me when i asked if |i should go internal one wire and they just laughed " Only if you want to be techy!" The externaly regulated is bullet proof. If ya have one just fix it. The one wire is also a misconception...............the only good thing about them is there is only one wire to hook up...............it stops there! Read the articles on mad electric web site.
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69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears: ![]() |
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#9 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
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#10 | |
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
Quote:
"One Wire" and "Internally Regulated" are not the same thing. A "One Wire" is internally regulated...but it is a newer "Hot Rod" thing. An "Internally Regulated" alternator actually runs from 3 wires. These are the "common" units that are installed from the factory. They are what they used to replace/update the older externally regulated units. |
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#11 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
I'm sure cost was one of the reasons Detroit went with internal regulator alternators and mechanical points. Throw in a diode assembly plus some transistors and do away with a lot of mechanical components.
Other reasons could have been the higher power demands of the newer automobiles. |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: oregon
Posts: 1,069
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
Quote:
www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech check out the articles on the mad electrical web site
__________________
69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears: ![]() |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Carrollton, GA
Posts: 43
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
I had a chrome 1 wire alt built for me at a local Auto Electric shop. Cost $130 and looks/functions great
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71 C-10 98 Mustang GT 06 Mustang GT Last edited by stanglifemike; 08-08-2008 at 11:41 PM. |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lewisville, Nc
Posts: 10,234
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
cost me 32 buxs to convert over to a internal reg External to Internal Voltage reg. i went though3 after market extrnal reg.s and an alt with no luck then switched tot the internal reg no problems since
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David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 08-07-2008 at 10:09 PM. |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: oregon
Posts: 1,069
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Re: Voltage Regulator - Is this normal?
Quote:
these things were built solid.
__________________
69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears: ![]() |
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#16 |
CAN'T FIX NOTHIN
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!!
Posts: 2,112
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when I was younger I had some car's and truck's with the newer internal regulator type alternator and the HEI distributor's and those were the only thing's that EVER caused me to have to sit beside the road broke down ,
the factory 1960's early 70's alternator and regulator system should be right up there with the best creation's in the automotive world , I have NEVER had one minute's trouble out of one , and they will charge with a piece of string for a belt , the internal one's have to have the belt torqed to 500 foot pound's and then the still sqeal !! 2ND the GM point's type distributor is a mechanical marvel !! bullet proof easy to work on and CHEAP my 67 camaro has had two set's of point's in the last ten year's and that second set is still in the box in the trunk for whenever I need them ,
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1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC Last edited by 19673ontree; 08-08-2008 at 04:37 PM. |
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