Solid state voltage regulator
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 712
Likes: 151
From: Prescott AZ
Solid state voltage regulator
Curious if anyone here has any experiences with converting there voltage regulator to a solid state unit. Saw an ad in the Driveline magazine about such a conversion. $195. So i'm wondering if it's money well spent or not.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,921
From: Washington Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
I've heard about the difference in operation in solid-state V/Rs...maybe that occurs in the alternator versions. The solid-state generator conversion for my '61 acts precisely as the old mechanical one did in every respect -- there is no "snapping" up of the ammeter gauge at a certain RPM or anything like that.
Maybe its the old C1 gauges...or the nature of the conversion or both but if anybody could tell a difference in solid-state vs mechanical on my car they must be psychic.
Maybe its the old C1 gauges...or the nature of the conversion or both but if anybody could tell a difference in solid-state vs mechanical on my car they must be psychic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
Hmmm...not sure how I reconcile that against your post #5 in this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...erator-ok.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...erator-ok.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
I stand by my statement in that post because it is correct "you'll be docked points for having a solid state VR as they react too quickly compared to the old mechanical ones.
The solid state ones react to changes instantaneously. The mechanical VR will show a voltage drop before the relay opens/closes and then a spike as it opens/closes. The solid state VR will show none of these fluctuations or "snapping" as you call them.
No need to be psychic to tell the difference. It's as easy as telling the difference between an original clock vs. a quartz conversion.
Jim
The solid state ones react to changes instantaneously. The mechanical VR will show a voltage drop before the relay opens/closes and then a spike as it opens/closes. The solid state VR will show none of these fluctuations or "snapping" as you call them.
No need to be psychic to tell the difference. It's as easy as telling the difference between an original clock vs. a quartz conversion.
Jim
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I have a c1. So is it plug and play. I was told I need an adapter. ? And how does it work on the generator not an alternator and if no plug is required how do you wire it
Last edited by fireofficer001; Jul 5, 2013 at 10:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
If you get the Wilton C1 conversion: http://www.wiltonae.com/home/index.aspx it is plug and play with one exception - do NOT 'flash the field'; e.g. "polarize" the charging system when you install it. It's hell on integrated circuits and almost never required anyway. This conversion ONLY works on a generator which is why the C2 conversions won't work on a C1...to date Wilton is the only one that does the generator conversion.
No adapter needed...wires up just like the old one. You do have to send in your old V/R so that the conversion can be properly installed, hidden and made invisible.
I have the first C1 conversion this fella did, been running it for like 5 years now and not a single issue. And, regardless of what some may say; it is indistinguishable from the stock V/R ... it does not operate in a jerky or 'digital' fashion like the C2 conversions. You, nor anyone else, simply will not know that it's solid state.
No adapter needed...wires up just like the old one. You do have to send in your old V/R so that the conversion can be properly installed, hidden and made invisible.
I have the first C1 conversion this fella did, been running it for like 5 years now and not a single issue. And, regardless of what some may say; it is indistinguishable from the stock V/R ... it does not operate in a jerky or 'digital' fashion like the C2 conversions. You, nor anyone else, simply will not know that it's solid state.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jul 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 161
From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA Iowa
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
That's a really nice job. Again, the C1 is different and you just install two mounting screws; connect three wires to the V/R terminals and you're "good to go". Everything else is already done for you by the company doing the conversion. I run power windows, and, a 750W stereo amp off my old, original generator and use high beams a lot - not a single issue.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,639
Likes: 3,653
From: Central Arkansas
I'm probably in the minority here but I prefer the old, mechanical points regulators. I've had several of the solid state regulators go bad on my old cars and have gone back to mechanical ones. Of course I'm one of the few guys that sees no reason to replace perfectly good ignition points with an electronic conversion kit.
At least when something goes wrong I get a little sense of well being and potential hope when I can pop the cover or distributor cap and examine the points in hope of finding some reason for the problem. I hate pulling a cover off something and being faced with a printed circuit board or sealed box.
At least when something goes wrong I get a little sense of well being and potential hope when I can pop the cover or distributor cap and examine the points in hope of finding some reason for the problem. I hate pulling a cover off something and being faced with a printed circuit board or sealed box.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
I run the original WCFB dual quads, king pin, centerlink front end, a generator, original C1 windshield wipers/washers, etc.. I'd say I'm a pretty 'hard core', old school guy.
But when it makes sense, I incorporate reasonable improvements. Electronic ignition, solid state V/R, satellite radio, disc brakes, radial tires, a PCV system, headlight relays, etc. None of which has given me the first problem in over 30,000 miles in the '61.
But you have to pick your own poison!
But when it makes sense, I incorporate reasonable improvements. Electronic ignition, solid state V/R, satellite radio, disc brakes, radial tires, a PCV system, headlight relays, etc. None of which has given me the first problem in over 30,000 miles in the '61.
But you have to pick your own poison!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,348
Likes: 2,867
From: Western Massachusetts
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Besides, a properly tuned old car will run at least 15,000 miles of hard use before needing a tune up. And another thing, I like doing tune ups.
Dan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
The electronic ignition and solid state reg. were one of the few things I chose to go modern on. My headlights don't pulse at low rpm anymore.
Although I am fully versed in points adjusting. I say good riddance. Been ditching points since my first car 74 Z-28. Ran a Mallory uni-lite on that.
The igniter II I use in my C2 is trouble free.
Although I am fully versed in points adjusting. I say good riddance. Been ditching points since my first car 74 Z-28. Ran a Mallory uni-lite on that.
The igniter II I use in my C2 is trouble free.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
Well good.
We haven't had an "old codger" vs "young whippersnapper" go round in a couple of months. It's overdue...
Excuse me...I have to get up and whack the top of my 19" black and white Zenith TV to get the horizontal hold to synch up.
We haven't had an "old codger" vs "young whippersnapper" go round in a couple of months. It's overdue...
Excuse me...I have to get up and whack the top of my 19" black and white Zenith TV to get the horizontal hold to synch up.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,639
Likes: 3,653
From: Central Arkansas
