NAPA Voltage regulator

[firerod]

Anyone out there know how to adjust a NAPA Echlin #VR412SB regulator? I have converted it to 12v, neg. ground and had the generator rebuilt w/ 12v field coils. My battery is fully charged. When I start the car at idle my volt gauge reads 13, with higher rpm it reads 16+. This seems to high and I don't want to burn anything up. Can I adjust this lower?

[trainguy]

Does the charge rate reduce after the gen replaces the amps used to start the car.If it does it is working as it should.Phil

[jboren]

Are you using an analog or digital meter to check the battery voltage. Generally use an analog VOM to check the voltage when you have a generator as the noise a generator creates can throw off a DVM.(unless it's a really good one?!) If you really are reading 16 volts then you are overcharging. Generally the max should ideally be about 14.5 to 14.7. Anything over 15 and you are going to have trouble eventually. Vibrating points regulators can be adjusted by bending the stops (very small adjustments as in just a few thousands of an inch) but they usually have to be replaced once they start giving trouble. I don't remember which of the three coils in the regulator is the voltage regulator. One is the cutout, one if the current regulator which should be adjusted to the maximum safe current output the generator can handle without overheating and the third should set the maximum voltage that the generator will put out. With the cover off you should be able to figure out easily which one is the cutout as it will be open with everything shut off but it will close once you start the engine and the generator starts generating. I believe the current regulator coil will be the one with the large varnished coil of wire and the voltage regulator coil will have the smaller windings. I believe if you gently open up the stop you should see the voltage come down but beware it takes a lot of patience and practice to get it right.

[Dec211975]

Here are a couple of articles that should lead you in the right direction; with the cover off you will get different numbers than with the cover on do to the magnetic pull of the relays; you should always check the final charging voltage with the cover on . http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint29.htm

http://www.42fordgpw.com/voltage.html

To me pictures,diagrams and schematics are easier to follow than printed directions any 2 brush generator Ford, GM or Chrysler are simular in operation there are A type and B type field schematics the difference being the Voltage regulator is before the Field winding (B) and the other (A) meaning the voltage regulator regulates after the field Winding.
Regards,

Brian

[Kurt in NJ]

Look in a 40s, 50s or early 60s Motors manual, the advice to use the analog meter is good, the generator and ignition system can give modern digital meters a fit, most likely the reley with the fine wire windings is the voltage one, making the spring tension more ( a picture of the inside of your regulator would help) should raise the voltage----You should check it with the cover on, temperature changes will alter the adjustment some -----find a motors manual (possibly a chiltons), it will work you through the procedure.

[firerod]

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Thanks for the help.