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Altho it may just be dumb luck, I've had good results from every VR I've bought at NAPA. That said, it's been a few years since I've bought one and things could have changed.
Standard brand Solid State (Amazon) was the only one of 3 new regulators purchased that worked on my 65....Caused a long drawn out problem of trial and error for me..........
I drilled out the rivets on the Standard brand and changed out the AC Delco cover.....No one will ever know!!!!!!!
Other than Lectric Limited, what Voltage Regulators have any of you installed that worked properly right out of the box?
The parts store 3 element regulators used with generators are in my experience USA made, likely by one or maybe two makers and that are hit and miss as far as quality and reliability. This is irrespective of what parts store you visit, same part maybe different box. The Delco units were precision instruments that were adjustable and usable for many miles before nothing was left of contacts and resistors burned open. By all means an NOS unit would be desirable as long as you can be satisfied they are not take offs from another era. Voltage regulators were thrown away like corn cobs back in the day, some stashed away in junk piles that are sold as NOS parts 60 years later.
There is a market for a solid state version of the old 3 element box that has yet to be filled.
There is a market for a solid state version of the old 3 element box that has yet to be filled.
Dan
As some of you will remember, I purchased such a unit 3 years ago from "Clover Systems".
Originally based in the UK, they were producing units here in SoCal (Orange County).
The unit is still working fine in my '61. [Although I do believe (and think I proved) that it's 'resting voltage' is slightly high, causing my temp gauge to read high - there is an EXTENSIVE thread on this subject!]
Unfortunately, Clover Systems is out of business (at least for now).
As some of you will remember, I purchased such a unit 3 years ago from "Clover Systems".
Originally based in the UK, they were producing units here in SoCal (Orange County).
The unit is still working fine in my '61. [Although I do believe (and think I proved) that it's 'resting voltage' is slightly high, causing my temp gauge to read high - there is an EXTENSIVE thread on this subject!]
Unfortunately, Clover Systems is out of business (at least for now).
This is what started me! My temp gauge reads high. I checked my VR and its pushing 15.6v at idle.
This is what started me! My temp gauge reads high. I checked my VR and its pushing 15.6v at idle.
15.6 V is way too high, sounds as though the regulator is hanging up from bad contacts. Try a few sharp knocks the case with your knuckle while observing voltage output, see if it doesn't drop or go higher. Then take a piece of crocus cloth and gently run it between each side of each contact on all units (voltage regulator, current regulator and cut out or circuit breaker) dental flossing style. That might get you some more service out of it.
On a side note...Anyone venture to guess why the AIM shows mounting the voltage regulator with only the top screw?
And, the 2 bottom attachment points (if you use them) ground the screws to the frame of the VR but the top mounting screw is isolated from the frame....
Last edited by ByByeAmericanPie; Jul 30, 2020 at 05:33 PM.
There should be 3 screws and 3 isolating grommets like in post 9. It was the same drawing in the 59 AIM too.
Of course they "meant" for us to use 3 screws....or did they? I just thought it odd that the only screw that did not ground to the frame was the only one specified for mounting.
? I just thought it odd that the only screw that did not ground to the frame was the only one specified for mounting.