6 V Generator Voltage Regulator -- Remedy

H

H. L. Chauvin

Well-known member
Maybe 15 years ago, (can't remember exact date), after reading about generator voltage regulators on the other Model A Forum , I bought one from Mr. John Regan, at www.funprojects.com in St. Charles, IL. to try on my Model A & also bought his 25 amp sealed rubber fuse holder.

Later got busy & forgot about it until last week, & when I tried testing it on the generator.

It did "not" work even though I followed instructions to the letter -- the cut-out I removed appeared to have worked fine, so I re-installed the cut-out.

Called Mr. Regan who said he could get his regulator going only "IF" I follow "EXACT" explicit instructions from him on the phone -- I agreed!

First were his few questions on what I had, e.g., 6V, (+) ground, size wires, & an analog volt/ohm testing meter, etc.

Next, he demanded testing only (1) thing at a time with the cut-out installed & then call him back to report voltage or ohm readings -- did so in about 10 phone calls -- I also explained to him phone my calls were free on my cell phone.

Finally after many individual tests & reporting back, I had this gut feeling he knew exactly what was going on, so at the last minute he instructed me to re-install his voltage regulator -- "it worked beautifully!"

Problem: My generator was not properly grounded because of engine paint & generator paint -- remedy -- remove paint & re-install.

Funny Part:

Every time I called him, he emphasized maybe more than 15 times: "GET RID OF THE FUSE HOLDER ON THE STARTER -- ONE DAY IT WILL FAIL".

Last night while in the garage, the engine missed a little -- turned on the dash lamp & the lamp was blinking -- turned on the headlights, & the headlights were blinking -- after 2 minutes the engine died while parked in the garage -- started laughing -- went to the fuse & it was burned -- continued laughing -- installed another one, lights blinking again so I stopped engine, shook wires on starter fuse holder & engine ran fine as I continued laughing.

Removed the starter fuse holder & threw it in the garbage can & installed his fuse holder -- everything fine again.

Just had to share that this hobby is loaded with an abundance of professionals who really know what is going on.
 
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My car came with a starter and glass fuse. I left it alone but added a 25amp sealed rubber fuse holder, in parallel. The glass type are just to troublesome.
 
I've been using John Regan's voltage regulator on my Model A since 2001 and it works perfectly. I also had one on my '24 Model T. John's a good guy and his products work.
Rog
 
The one I just bought is night and day different then the one I bought a few years ago. This one is real beefy. I also use a circuit breaker in place of the glass fuse.
 
You were one of the easiest people to help and you had a problem that typically is hard to prove out especially over the phone. It is rare to find someone who is willing to listen and cooperate and you located one of the more difficult problems pretty much by yourself by collecting accurate data and being very scientific in your testing. You did all the work, I simply shared my experience with you. Funny thing about males is that when they are facing a particularly tough problem and "finally" find the root cause and fix it they then feel better than if they had never had the problem in the first place. It is fun and very rewarding to sit back and know that you absolutely found a problem that was bugging you and you absolutely fixed it.

Glad to be a small part of your success story.

Best regards.

John Regan
 
Hi John,

I think it is good to share a few more details of this assistance story which is in essence, not much different from what we see here every day -- seeking & sharing helpful advice with one another.

It is not every day that one meets a person that places so much trust in an individual hundreds of miles away -- our trust & respect for one another was mutual -- you conveyed that I would be your eyes & ears because of our distance apart.

Looking back at my cell phone, after I called you the first time, I then called you back a total of (19) times, each time with a different report on your different requested analog test readings.

Some readings were with the engine idling, some with engine running at fast idle, some with the engine not running, & also providing analog readings between (+) & (-) post at the battery, between battery (-) & (+) frame/engine ground, across ammeter, measuring generator voltage output to generator case, & witnessing different generator voltage output readings when grounded to the engine, to name just a few tests.

One time I gave you an ohm reading you did not ask for -- almost cracked up when you told me I received two (2) Demerits for providing you with unrequested information -- almost had to turn my head & cover the phone with a towel.

Every time I gave you a reading, you said, "That's good, now this is what I want you to try next."

I was smiling all the time because I really felt like a passenger on an airplane who had volunteered to receive verbal directions while trying to land a plane after the pilot got locked in the plane's toilet or something like that! LOL

Gave my (5) year old grandson & wife a ride this morning before coming to work & the voltage regulator & sealed fuse is still working just fine.

Thanks again.
 
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