aero3113 Posted March 14, 2009 Report Posted March 14, 2009 I have a 6 volt alternator in my car,Is the voltage regulator still used with it? The regulator is mounted just not sure if it is still being used. Quote
norrism1 Posted March 14, 2009 Report Posted March 14, 2009 Some alts have the regulator built inside of it. Best to make sure. Quote
aero3113 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Report Posted March 14, 2009 How can I tell? The alternator that is in came with the car. There are some wires that are not connected and wrapped in electrical tape, that makes me think it is not hoked up. Is there any tests that I can do with a meter with the car running on the regulator to see if it is hooked up or not? Quote
martybose Posted March 15, 2009 Report Posted March 15, 2009 Look at the back of the alternator. Is there one wire coming from a stud on the back, or are there 3 wires? If there is only one wire it is internally regulated, and the external regulator isn't needed. If there are 3 wires, you will need a regulator in place. Marty Quote
aero3113 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Report Posted March 15, 2009 It has one wire out of the back going to the positive terminal of the battery and a ground wire hooked up to a mounting bolt to the negative terminal of the battery. I guess the voltage regulator is not used on my car Marty? Quote
martybose Posted March 15, 2009 Report Posted March 15, 2009 It has one wire out of the back going to the positive terminal of the battery and a ground wire hooked up to a mounting bolt to the negative terminal of the battery. I guess the voltage regulator is not used on my car Marty? Correct, although the output should have been connected to the wire connected to the BAT terminal on the regulator, so that it goes through the ammeter. Marty Quote
aero3113 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Report Posted March 15, 2009 Marty should I run a jumper from the positive terminal of the battery to the batt terminal on the regulator or should I go from the back of the alternator to the batt terminal. With the car running what should the amp gauge read? Quote
martybose Posted March 15, 2009 Report Posted March 15, 2009 The wire that used to go to the BATT terminal on the regulator should go to the stud on the back of the alternator. When you first start the engine you should see a slight discharge, then after the first time you get the engine RPM high enough the get the alternator excited you should see a fairly heavy charge (maybe 30 amps) that rapidly drops off as the battery recharges. After the alternator kicks in the first time it will charge at any speed, including idle, until you shut the motor off. Marty Quote
aero3113 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Report Posted March 15, 2009 I guess the amp gauge is hooked up because when I start the car it is on the charge side by a little, then when I turn on the headlights it jumps more to the charge side. Is this correct? Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 15, 2009 Report Posted March 15, 2009 I guess the amp gauge is hooked up because when I start the car it is on the charge side by a little, then when I turn on the headlights it jumps more to the charge side. Is this correct? Yes. Quote
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