MTFCA Forum

Having a problem with the Voltage regulator , it cuts in and out and doesn't let the Generator charge . The Generator has been over hauled and the regulator is new . Anyone have a clue as what is happening ?

This should be in the discussion part of the forum. Anyway, have you checked the wiring to the regulator? Is you ammeter working correctly? Did you install the regulator per the instruction in adjusting the third brush?

If the generator is an amateur rebuild or a local guy who does modern alternators, I would suspect the generator first. Secondly, I would suspect that you may have a cutout and not a regulator.

I believe WE are in the discussion area.

It may have been moved? Can non registered users post using their email address? The original poster has a non clickable link for their name.
What kind of regulator is it? At what approx RPM is it kicking in and out. Most cutout types will only kick in when the generator output exceeds the battery voltage. So at lower RPM it might be kicking in and out. But it is kinda hard to diagnose an issue like this without being there to see.

Are you sure the battery is not being charged? With voltage regulators is is usual for the output to be high right after starting the engine, but soon the battery will be fully charged and the voltage regulator will drop the charging rate to almost zero. When the rate is near zero and you turn on the lights the regulator will allow the generator to charge enough to keep the needle around zero.

Having said all the above, I will add, that with a cutout, if the car has been setting idle for several weeks sometimes when you first start the engine, the ammeter will show no charge for a few minutes and then start showing a charge. Seems to have something to do with residual magnetism in the generator field. Other things have to do with the speed the engine is running. At very low idle, sometimes the generator will not put out enough charge to move the ammeter and then when you rev the engine, it will show a charge.

There might not be anything wrong with your regulator or generator. The ultimate test would be to see if your battery becomes fully charged after you drive for a few miles.
Norm

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Mon May 27, 2019 11:06 am

I believe WE are in the discussion area.

Originally posted in Forum Support