voltage regulator question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Atascadero Ca
voltage regulator question
I'm trying to wire my own voltage regulator. My regulator is a 1971 version that says "mighty" on it. It has 4 wires going to it. From top to bottom, Thick black, Thick red, white, blue. I just can't seem to figure the wiring out. I guess i need to know which wires hook up to my horn relay with an external regulator and where the other ones go.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
i'm putting together a charging system out of parts i have lying on the garage. The regulator and alternator are out of a 71 el camino. It is the old 4 terminal type with the F 2 3 4 on the connections.
F goes to one of the small wires on teh alternator
2 goes to the other small wire on the alternator
3 is the "sense wire" (i think) and goes to the horn relay
4 gives 12v and i'm not sure where it goes.
On my horn relay i have the following wires.
Power from battery
Power to dash harness
power from alternator
wire to terminal 3 on regulator
WHen i fire up the car, the alternator output voltage is 20v
if i connect the alternator output wire to the horn relay voltage drops down to what my battery is charged to (10v).
F goes to one of the small wires on teh alternator
2 goes to the other small wire on the alternator
3 is the "sense wire" (i think) and goes to the horn relay
4 gives 12v and i'm not sure where it goes.
On my horn relay i have the following wires.
Power from battery
Power to dash harness
power from alternator
wire to terminal 3 on regulator
WHen i fire up the car, the alternator output voltage is 20v
if i connect the alternator output wire to the horn relay voltage drops down to what my battery is charged to (10v).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Why dont you do the sensible thing and use an internally regulated alternator for that car. They are the cheapest alternators on the planet. About $25 at the discount houses. But if you are intent on buchering your harness, You are correct on your positioning and the #4 wire goes through the body connector inside to the main power distribution for the stuff inside the car, such as the heater switch or the radio circuit etc. This wire monitors the power draw on the system and compares it to the battery charge. This tells the regulator what needs to be done.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Originally Posted by i885744
Okfine, I'll go get another one, but I will not be happy about it. 
I bet you will be once you see how easy it is to set it up. Plus, if it burns through any voltage regulators (my car has had 3 for dinner in 4,000 miles), they are $7.99 at AutoZone.
