Voltage Regulator Question

[W.F. Brown- III]

I've read over the threads on voltage regulators and am completely confused. So, I have two questions (remember, I know very little about anything to do with motors - but am learning).

Starting with a fully charged battery in my '48 Plymouth, the car will start right up (thanks for the advice on making sure the battery cables were proper size and tight). Driving around, the amp gage will hover around 0, with just a tiny bit of movement to the + or = of 0. When I turn on the headlights, there is a noticeable drop on the gage.

Everything is fine for three or four starts, then the starter begins to drag and is sluggish to start. I put the battery on the charger and it shows about a 25% charge (but builds back to 100% within 15 or 20 minutes).

So, I do a scientific, sure-fire test of the voltage regulator ... I take out my pocket knife and tap the thing with the butt of the knife a couple times. Zing, the amp gage needle registers a big move on the + side. I drive the car a while and the amp gage shows good charging.

This lasts a while, but eventually the amp gage needle goes back around 0. Three or four starts later, same thing - sluggish starting.

So, here's the questions:

1) Would it appear that my voltage regulator is not operating correctly/reliably?

2) If I buy a new voltage regulator can I "take it out of the box" and hook it up? I'm confused about "polarizing" the thing that I think I've read before.

Thanks for your help.

[Niel Hoback]

You should'nt have to polarize your generator if it charges now. There is a residual magnetism in the pole shoes that will make it work until someone hooks the battery up backwards, or drops the genny or bangs on it severly.

[greg g]

You can try a couple of things. the test for genny operation is to run the engine at a high idle, you can use the hand throttle or have an assistant give it some steady gas pedal to raise the rpm a bit or tur up the idle speed adjustmet screw.

then with a jumper wire, ground the field terminal (smaller of the two) of the genny to the engine block, if the genny is operating the amp gauge should peg to the positive side.

Only leave it grounded for as long as necessary to check the gauge. If this works, the genny is OK and the VR is suspect.

If it works for a bit after thumping it. probably the points are sticking, and might respond to a dressing with a points file. the cover should come off the regulator, disconnect the battery, then you can dress the three sets of points, gently with the file. Also ascertain that you have a good ground from the vr to the fender.

This may or may not work and a new VR should be on you shopping list if the genny shows a full charge when grounded. Usually when they start to get balky, its best to replace them.

Now it is normal for the needle in the ammeter to bouce around a bit. After starting the Vr will engage the genny till the juice used to start the car is returned to the battery, and the charge level is up to snuff, the let it idle till a new demand is sensed. They will also react to stop light, horn, signals etc.

But it is not uncommon to show little or no charge running down the road at 50, especially if you have a new healthy battery.

[Joe Flanagan]

I just got a new regulator and I simply took it out of the box and hooked it up. I believe they cost somewhere between 50 and 70 dollars. If for some reason you do have to polarize it, just touch a wire between the battery terminal on the regulator and the armature terminal. You should see a slight spark. Those were the instructions that came with mine and also what is in the manual. These terminals will be clearly marked, by the way.

[Joe Flanagan]

I performed the test that Greg just mentioned and that is how I discovered that my generator was bad. What grounding the wire from the field terminal does is take the regulator out of the equation and shows you what the generator is doing. But to me it sounds like maybe the contacts in your regulator are sticking.

[W.F. Brown- III]

Thanks for all the good advice and directions. I checked the generator today with the "jumper wire" as described in one of the posts. It appears the generator is working correctly. I went by the local NAPA store and they said they would have me a new voltage regulator here tomorrow. So, by this time tomorrow I should either have it fixed or screwed up so bad I'll have to take it to a real mechanic. We'll see ...

[Joe Flanagan]

You'll be fine. Post back when you get it installed.

[greg g]

Pay attention to the terminals, and make sure you reattach the wires to the correct one on the new one. It is sometimes possible to have them i unlike locations. But field to field, bat to bat and arm to arm. And assure you have a good ground for the VR and you chould be fine. Good idea to lable the wires with a piece of tape to make sure you dontatach incorrectly.

[W.F. Brown- III]

Well, I didn't blow up the car or myself.

I managed to change out the old voltage regulator with the new one. I made note of which wire went where, followed instructions to "polarize" it, and it worked like it should. Took the car for about a 30 mile drive with no problems.

Thanks for all the advice. This forum is so much help to someone like me who is just getting started with old Plymouths.

[Captain Neon]

Always willing to help some one that has genuine questions and is willing to do the work. Being grateful and follow-up go a long way 'round here too.

[Niel Hoback]

Congratulations on your victory over the evil regulator. Now you understand your car that much more. There's nothing like on the job training.

[W.F. Brown- III]

... There's nothing like on the job training.

As long as I can get that on the job training in the driveway and not by the side of the road.

[greg g]

Evil Regulator,,,, sounds like a character from a 40's Radio show or movie serial.

Roger knew their only chance to escape the EVIL REGULATOR's plan was to use his electro magnet shoes, to carry Elizabeth straight up the wall of the water tower they have been dropped into from the under carriage of the Regulator's autogyro . And escape they must if they were to get help from their friends Delco and Remey to foil his evil plan to energize the field coils he has secretly installed around their small city of Armature, Ohio.

[jd52cranbrook]

Now there's a story with magnetism....

Glad you got it going W. F.

[Joe Flanagan]

This whole thread has been electrifying. Now I'm really amped up to go out and do some work on my own car. Good job, W.F. You've got the right attitude. If you're inclined to do the work, you're going to love this hobby.

[jd52cranbrook]

I for one cannot wait for the next current chapter of the Evil Regulator's plan to depolarize the earth's magnetic forces.

[mrspeedyt]

shocking.... just shocking. (gave my brain a jolt!)

[W.F. Brown- III]

Caught on film - the man who foiled "Evil Regulator's" latest plot. Here he is, aided by his ever-ready-to-help sidekick, "Sparky". When asked how he did it, he replied: "Well, we seen that Regulator guy trying to mess things up, so we just kicked his butt real good."

[jd52cranbrook]

Classic

[greg g]

Next the story of Evil's depraved female aprentice Electrolysis.....out to prove that water and electricity do mix.

[jd52cranbrook]

I am bonded to my seat, waiting for the next in -flux of chapters that have the right voltage to transform the light bulbs in my head into actual readings

[Don Coatney]

Watt was the original topic of this thread? Sorry, I could not resistance.....

[Niel Hoback]

Ohm my goodness, this has gotten ridiculous.

[greg g]

are you saying you've had enough of the static??? Perhaps we need a shunt to another subject. I shall relay that message. But we'll miss the bit about ferro resonance

[jd52cranbrook]

No no no,

Let this un coil. The story much complete it's circuit.